Thank You for Helping Deliver Justice - 6/22/12

Posted June 22, 2012

In Announcements, State and City Information

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I am pleased to report that the State Legislature has passed Governor Cuomo’s Justice Center bill, establishing the strongest standards and practices in the nation to protect those with special needs and disabilities. The law applies to the six state agencies that provide human services, including OPWDD.

Over the last six weeks, hundreds of thousands of people, led by self-advocates and family members, have shared their stories, expressed their support, and in doing so, helped deliver the protection and justice that more than one million New Yorkers with special needs and disabilities deserve.

This could not have happened without the efforts that many of you undertook: thousands of people attended events statewide, emailed friends and family, shared www.Justice4SpecialNeeds.com on Facebook and Twitter, and made your voices heard.

We all know that this legislation does not apply to the vast majority of the state or nonprofit workforce—direct support professionals (DSPs) who share an uncompromising commitment to the people we serve, and who regularly make sacrifices in their own lives for the betterment of others. This dedication inspires us all, and it is unfortunate that a few bad apples have painted an unfair portrait of this meaningful service. However, this legislation, along with a rollout this summer of core competencies and other resources that DSPs need and deserve, will help restore faith and let the focus be on the important supports we provide to people with developmental disabilities.

For those who may not know what the legislation does, it creates a new Justice Center that will track and prevent, as well as investigate and prosecute, reports of abuse and neglect. Independent from the six human service agencies impacted, the Justice Center will be led by an executive director, special prosecutor, and inspector general, and have a staff of trained investigators, attorneys, and administrators to investigate reports of abuse and neglect and prosecute allegations of criminal offenses.

It also:

· Creates of a statewide 24/7 hotline staffed by trained professionals to ensure that allegations of abuse are promptly reported to law enforcement and fully and effectively investigated.
· Establishes a comprehensive statewide database to track and monitor abuse complaints in order to spot trends.
· Develops a registry of workers who have committed serious or repeated acts of abuse who will be prohibited from ever being hired again in any position where they would work with people with special needs and disabilities.
·Consolidates background checks on individuals applying for a job or other position dealing with people with special needs and disabilities across certain state agencies.
Develops common standards for investigations and requirements to be used to train investigators.
· Strengthens anti-abuse laws, including enhanced criminal penalties for endangering the welfare of people with special needs and disabilities, and a stronger ability for prosecutors to prove cases of sexual abuse.