"As a parent of a
special-needs child,
I care about quality services
for my family."




ROUND ONE-This flyer, prepared by PEF's Public Relations Department, is the first weapon in the union's arsenal to fight for a share of the new funding for special-needs children. It is being distributed to concerned parents around the state at meetings sponsored by the state on the NYCARES program.

PEF fights to keep serving "special-needs" kids

By SUSAN C. MITNICK
If implemented as proposed, not one of the 4,885 new beds in the "NYCARES" plan will be operated by state employees. That's the clear implication of a letter sent to families of special-needs children on the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities waiting list for residential services.

As reported in the September Communicator, NYCARES (New York Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments & Services) will use $228 million in combined state and federal funding to develop 977 new community beds and 150 new day treatment opportunities per year for the next five years.

NYCARES will also provide funding for 6,500 family-support services for those continuing to wait for placement. As a result of this plan, about 8,100 people will receive a placement in a community bed.

The letter announcing the plan and inviting families to informational forums went out to families in late October. Up to that time, OMR had been noncommittal about the distribution of the new beds between the public and private sectors, indicating that it would be determined by "consumer choice."

The letter was more direct about the actual scope of that choice, informing parents that "information will be available regarding the voluntary agencies that have programs you may be interested in." There was no mention of state-operated services.

Union strategy session

PEF was ready to act. Since the governor's announcement of the plan in mid-August, the union has taken steps to stay informed and prepare an action plan to respond to the threat of privatization. The planning began with a PEF strategy session in September.

"If OMRDD is going to define services by consumer choice, then we must be prepared to let every parent on that list know that state-operated programs are out there, and are better than privately-operated programs," PEF President Roger Benson told members and staff. "We must tell parents they should demand state-operated programs, if they want the best care for their children."

As a result of that meeting, fact sheets and parent flyers were prepared for distribution by PEF members at OMR's informational sessions. Executive Board members and Council Leaders have mobilized PEF members to attend each of the 47 sessions scheduled across the state from November 9th through January 26th.

Demand state services

PEF is educating parents that state operated programs offer reliable services, professional staff and comprehensive services, all from a single provider. PEF's Staff Director, Steve Chamberlain is in a unique position to know what parents of special needs children are looking for.

"I know from personal experience in trying to find services for my daughter how frustrating it is to have inconsistency in treatment. I also know that as a parent, I have not been offered the choice of state operated services."

Parents are being urged to demand professional state services, and to contact Governor Pataki, Commissioner Maul, and their local legislators to ensure that their real choice is fulfilled.

These actions are just the first phase of PEF's efforts to fight for public employees' share of the new funding.

A public relations and lobbying campaign targeting the legislature is in the works and will be in full gear by the time legislators return for the 1999 session.