The Biden administration moves to end the minimum wage waiver for disabled workers, a disability policy champion’s time in Congress comes to an end, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Dec. 6, 2024.

Spotlight: CDPAP

N.Y. lawmakers: Let Medicaid home care contract issues play out in court

State lawmakers said they do not have plans to investigate the state’s controversial process to award a $9 billion contract for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a Medicaid home care program, and that accusations that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration rigged the bidding war should be left to the courts.

The response comes after U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, sent a letter to state Inspector General Lucy Lang and the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, requesting a probe into how Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration handled the contract. (nystateofpolitics.com)

N.Y. accused of rigging major Medicaid contract in lawsuit from home care company In the latest of several lawsuits, Freedom Care LL claims it was passed over for a contract to manage the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in a rigged bidding process. (Times Union)

State faces class-action lawsuit over number of group home placements for people with disabilities A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit over the (low) number of available group home placements in Western New York, first filed on behalf of several families in 2016, to move forward as a class action. (Buffalonews.com)

Long-awaited report on updating NY school funding formula calls for ‘significant change’ The recommendations establishes more nuanced calculations for funding based on students with disabilities, among other changes. (Chalkbeat.org)

Saratoga County launches Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism (cbs6albany.com)

White Plains installs inclusive swing at Delfino Park (hudsonvalley.news.12.com)

Students with disabilities learn real-world job skills in Brooklyn high school’s sewing lab (k12dive.com)

Outside of New York

Maine, Justice Department enter settlement to improve services for children with disabilities It requires the state to increase community-based behavioral health services for children. The lawsuit was filed earlier this year. (AP)

North Canton, Ohio, home for developmentally disabled children to be built despite neighbors’ disapproval Another infuriating example of “not-in-my-neighborhood” ignorance — with a happy ending. (news5cleveland.com)

Education

Ed Department May Require Schools To Report ‘Informal Removals’ Of Kids With Disabilities Federal officials are eyeing changes to the types of information that schools nationwide must report about the experiences of students with disabilities. (Disability Scoop)

Ed Department promotes expanded use of behavior assessments It also support plans for students to help schools address problem behaviors and reduce suspensions and expulsions. (K12dive.com)

Employment

U.S. Moves to End a Minimum Wage Waiver for Disabled Workers The Biden administration moved to end the statute that lets employers obtain certificates from the Labor Department that authorize them to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. (New York Times)

Congress

A disability policy champion’s time in Congress has come to an end Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who lost his Senate race, introduced dozens of bills to advance civil rights and quality of life for people with disabilities., including the ABLE act. (19thnews.org)

Opinion

Commentary: How will the Trump administration advance disability rights? (Times Union)

Entertainment

Disney+’s ‘Out of My Mind,’ Bleecker Street’s ‘Ezra’ Among Honorees for Authentic Portrayals of Disabled Communities (Variety)