New York State Budget News & Programs for IDD

Advocacy and resource network NYC Fair has put together an excellent overview of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal.

Here are some preliminary highlights affecting caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

OPWDD

1.5% COLA ($128.9 million) for voluntary operated OPWDD, OMH, OASAS, Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), and the State Office for the Aging (SOFA) providers effective April 1, 2024.
Housing An additional $15 million to “expand independent living opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
New Opportunities An additional $30 million in FY 2025, ($60 million annualized/$120 million with federal share) to fund OPWDD priority program reforms and new service opportunities that enable individuals to receive the support they need.
Minimum wage An additional $57 million in State funds to support minimum wage increases, including indexing minimum wage to inflation, for staff at programs licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by OPWDD, OMH, and OASAS.
Olmstead Plan $250,000 for New York’s Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) to issue an Olmstead Plan
“Employment First” state $6.7 million to become an Employment First” state.
Representative payee Makes permanent the authority of mental hygiene facility directors, acting as federally appointed representative payees, to use funds for the cost of care and treatment of persons receiving services. Continues the current statutes and it will avoid a potential revenue loss of $64 million from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and $7 million from the Office of Mental Health on an annual basis.
DSP Nursing Tasks in Non-Certified Settings Allows Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in certain OPWDD community-based settings, such as a person’s private home or apartment, to perform certain nursing tasks which would increase the availability of nursing task services outside of certified residential settings, allowing more people with developmental disabilities to remain in or transition to more independent settings, which could decrease the reliance on certified residential settings. This is projected to generate annual savings of $700,000 starting in FY 2025 and would take effect April 1, 2024.
Special Olympics NY Includes a $1 million annual funding increase.