Shown above from left: NYS Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, CEO Tibi Guzmán and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow

We were honored to welcome NYS Assemblymembers J. Gary Pretlow and Nader Sayegh for a tour of our Sheib Center in Yonkers in August. Their visit provided an important opportunity for them to witness firsthand the vital work we do to support people with developmental disabilities. This is the first of many visits from our NYS representatives.

The Assemblymembers met with our staff and people attending various daily programs. Everyone was so excited and wanted to shake hands and share what they were working on that day. Our staff were welcoming and provided an overview of an average day at the center. Both assemblymen were touched by the warm welcome and impressed with the dedication and commitment of every staff member.

CEO Tibi Guzmán discussed the devastating impact that proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would have on the essential services we provide every day. If Congress adopts the President’s proposal, it will eliminate funding for key programs under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act), including programs that support access to inclusive education, employment, community living, and more.

The proposal also includes policies that would weaken the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by combining multiple funding streams into a single “block grant.” This change could lead to:

• Cuts to preschool programs for young children with disabilities.
• Reduced federal support for special education teachers, counselors, therapists, and paraprofessionals.
• Fewer training opportunities for school staff to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

We ask you to participate in our ONE-CLICK campaign and urge Congress to fully fund IDEA and DD Act programs. Let’s make sure people with disabilities have the support they need to live full and productive lives.

“Disabled Americans Fear What Medicaid Cuts Could Do to Them” The New York Times
This article focuses specifically on Home and Community-Based Services and speaks to the downstream consequences of cuts to Medicaid. Read here >