New York Association on Independent Living

Starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1st, the state Office of Temporary Assistance will open the application period for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will provide up to 12 months of past-due rent to households that earn at or below 80 percent of area median income, that have experienced financial hardship, and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. Eligible renters may also receive up to three months of additional assistance, if the household spends 30 percent or more of its gross monthly income on rent. The program also will provide up to 12 months of utility arrears for eligible applicants.

The NYS Assembly Passes Legislative Package in Observance of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day. https://nyassembly.gov/Press/?sec=story&story=97221

The Albany Mayoral Virtual Candidate Forum is this Thursday, May 27th from 11AM to 12PM. Co-hosted by Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Disability Rights New York, and Self Advocacy Network of New York Registration at: https://drny-org.zoom.us//tJ0of-GhrzIpG9X8VghqxHYv8mypMk1v

Buffalo New York, Meet the Candidate's Day, Mayoral Edition. May 26 at 11:00 am via Zoom. Expected Candidates: Byron Brown, India Walton, Le'Candice Durham, and Scott Wilson. RSVP to Jillian at WNYIL for the Zoom link. E-mail: [email protected] or Call: 716-836-0822 ext. 146... Hosted by WNY Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL), Disability Rights New York, and SANYS

Advocating for changes in the community for greater independence. That's essential to what independent living center's do in New York. Check out this latest story featuring Access To Independence of Cortland County, Inc.

Over 70 organizations in New York called on changes to New York's long-term care system in a petition released today. The Buffalo News covered the story. https://buffalonews.com//article_280c7c82-59bd-11eb-b65e-7

"Biden is looking to make good on that promise as he prepares to take office on Wednesday. His proposal calls for increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and eliminating subminimum wage for people with disabilities. Information released so far does not include details about exactly how Biden would like to see this occur or on what timeline." NYAIL has continued to fight for the elimination of sub-minimum wages for people with disabilities in New York law. An increased federal minimum wage would also provide a long-overdue pay increase to home care workers, which is another advocacy priority of NYAIL.

The New York Association on Independent Living, with over 70 other organizations in NY, has signed on to a petition calling to move away from institutional settings and support community-based housing and supports. Read the full petition at: https://ilny.us//407-policy-plan-sent-to-new-york-state-le

We share the unfortunate news today about the loss of Stanley Holbrook. Stanley was an advocate for disability rights and racial justice. He presented last year at our 2019 NYAIL conference to educate people about microagressions. NYAIL mourns this loss and hopes that we can build upon the great legacy of Stanley's work on making our independent living movement better.

Those 65 years old and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as of January 1th. You can signup at https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ Details of the new eligibility for the immunocompromised, including the exact list of diseases and health conditions that qualify as immunocompromised, has not been released yet. The Governor has said state officials will be releasing a list in the future. From Governor Cuomo, "NEW: New Yorkers age 65+ are now eligible for the COVID vaccine effective immediately. Check your eligibility and find vaccination locations near you. I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible NYers than there is vaccine supply from the federal gov."

"A pilot program that allows people who receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP to purchase groceries online is being expanded under a measure approved Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The law was approved as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in New York and across the country. Lawmakers approved the bill as another tool in limiting the spread of the virus, especially for vulnerable people." https://nystateofpolitics.com//snap-beneficiaries-can-purc

From an ongoing series from NPR. "An NPR investigation looked into McSweeney's death and about a dozen reports of discrimination in Oregon: Of doctors and hospitals denying equipment like ventilators; insisting that an elderly or disabled person sign a DNR maybe when they couldn't understand it and in the middle of a crisis or even denying a COVID-19 test. These decisions are made behind closed doors, NPR found, and as a result are little known and little understood. McSweeney's case offers a rare look at how those decisions are made." https://www.npr.org//as-hospitals-fear-being-overwhelmed-b

From NCIL: "Please join us for this complimentary webinar to learn what the IL-NET National T&TA Center has to offer you...The entire team will walk you through the trainings and resources the IL-NET offers and show you how you can best access them. You will learn about on-demand trainings and materials that are available immediately, as well as training topics for 2021 that you can add to your calendar. Don’t miss this free event!" January 13, 2021; 3:00 4:30 p.m. Eastern ...No Registration Fee Target Audience: Staff and Board of CILs, SILCs, and DSEs

Duties and Responsibilities: The Housing Program Specialist will report to the Director of Housing Programs and/or designee in assisting the program to facilitate the successful transition of individuals into community settings through the Olmstead and Rapid Transition Housing Subsidy Programs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Communicate with Housing Specialists as needed to ensure all necessary documentation is included in the database.... - Conduct ongoing outreach to Housing Specialists with upcoming expiring leases. - Assist Director of Housing Programs in completing necessary DOH reports, including input of documentation to the Medicaid Data Warehouse (MDW) report, maintaining updated DOH master spreadsheet, etc. - Review all rent and security requests via program database, ensuring all necessary forms are completed. - Forward all approved rents to Fiscal Intermediary for payment. - Record all new rents to Excel sheet for monthly review, ensure no gaps in rent. - Work with Director of Housing Programs to oversee Fiscal Intermediary processes, ensuring all payments are timely and accurate. - Complete Rental Subsidy and CTS monthly audits. - Complete OHS Subcontractor Audits. - Provide administrative support to both housing programs and assist with NYAIL functions as needed. - Other duties as specified by the Director of Housing Programs or Executive Director. Qualifications: - Associates degree in Human Services, and 5 years housing experience. - Workplace fiscal experience, preferably within a non-profit organization. - Microsoft Office Suite required. - Experience managing databases / data systems. - Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and computer skills. - Strong verbal and written communication skills. - Comfort with public speaking to small groups. - Experience with the concepts of IL, consumer control, and equal rights for persons with disabilities preferred. - Preference will be given to individuals with personal experience with a disability. To Apply: Please submit resume with cover letter to: [Email hidden]

Westchester Independent Living Center appeared on News 12 Westchester discussing the rise in referrals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the center's deputy executive director, Margaret Nunziato share how they are assisting the community. https://westchester.news12.com/westchester-nonprofit-that-o