GROW is a parent and family run organization whose dedicated members have volunteered their time for over thirty years to advocate for a full range of support services to enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
The following files give a complete picture of GROW: History, Position & Policy papers, and Brochure. Download Zip file & click to open: growpositionpapers
*To advocate to enhance the quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities *To provide support and information to parents and families of persons with developmental disabilities.
*To promote the expansion of community residential opportunities and enhanced services for those living at home.
*To advocate for adequate funding necessary to ensure quality of services provided for persons with developmental disabilities.
IMPORTANT MEETING: SEE ALL DETAILS IN COMPLETE NEWSLETTER:
THE FUTURE OF OPWDD Many changes are on the horizon… Listen and Learn Legislators on the NY State Mental Hygiene Committee will engage in a panel discussion of topics such as: • Managed care • People First Waiver • Front Door • Residential options • Self-direction • Guardianship • Other concerns that you would like addressed Come to the GROW General Meeting Sunday, October 25, 2015 Brunch & Networking: 10:30 a.m. Meeting 11:00 a.m. At WIHD – Cedarwood Hall Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
At our recent meeting with Evan Sullivan, Senator Carlucci’s representative, we promised to share the details of any topics that were brought to our attention.
Tony Consentino, father and advocate, passionately described his objection to the closure of his son’s home for the last 30+ years at the Bernard Fineson Developmental Center. He is looking for other families who oppose the closure of developmental centers, who demand accountability and look to improve services. Tony, the CSEA (the union for staff in state-operated OPWDD facilities) and others who object to the closure of Developmental Centers across New York will rally in front of Governor Cuomo’s mid-town office, 633 3rd Ave. at 41st on Tuesday, November 17th at 11:30 AM.
On Saturday, November 7th, we are co-sponsoring a Parent Action Conference at PS 133 in Brooklyn, (near the Barclay Center and many subway stops). We will have workshops on developing action plans to address school overcrowding, rising class sizes, special education, mayoral control, empowering parents and school leadership teams, opting out of testing, protecting student privacy, and many other critical issues. Free lunch and child care are included. Please register at Eventbrite today to reserve your ticket or click here: http://bit.ly/1KIC487.
“The Assembly Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee’s hearing to identify barriers to the successful implementation of the OPWDD Transformation Agreement was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, in Albany.
Assembly Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee Chair, Aileen Gunther was joined at various points by Assemblymembers John McDonald, Donna Lupardo, Tom Abinanti and Didi Barrett. The hearing went to 5 pm with 29 individuals presenting testimony. Attached is the list (http://assembly.state.ny.us/av/hearings/) of those who presented testimony with Helene DeSanto presenting for OPWDD and the nine panels primarily comprised of parents.”
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“Assemblymember Gunther said that she clearly heard how critical it was for additional funding be added for residential and day supports, direct support professional wages and that managed care had not been implemented successfully for individuals with I/DD in any state. The hearing provided a wonderful opportunity for families and advocates to voice the growing concerns of the developmental disabilities field.”