Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Our vision is to assist the individuals we support in living in the home of their choice; enjoying meaningful relationships with friends, family, and others; experiencing personal health and growth; and fully participating in their communities. OPWDD and its network of providers are working each day to make that vision a reality.
One of the first steps toward independence for many people is a job, and on October 1, 2013, OPWDD submitted its draft plan to increase competitive employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposal lays out the ways OPWDD is seeking to increase and promote employment for the individuals we serve. Some of the steps we are taking to make that happen include:
· Fostering business partnerships by collaborating with the Empire State Development Corporation to encourage businesses to hire people with developmental disabilities;
· Fostering partnerships with the state education system to educate stakeholders about supported employment services; and
· Partnering with providers to improve the quality of supported employment services and ensure that appropriate job discovery, development, and coaching are provided, and to share best practices.
We have also heard the concerns raised by individuals and families whose loved ones have spent decades in sheltered workshops, and who are worried about change. For those individuals, there are a number of options available including receiving other OPWDD services, receiving services in the former sheltered workshops transformed into a more integrated model, or supported employment.
Our entire draft proposal to CMS can be read here. It is a long-term plan and a major part of OPWDD’s ongoing transformation to a person-directed system. I look forward to working with you as we continue to move that system forward.
Sincerely,
Acting Commissioner Kelley
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.