BE HEARD!
Submit your questions or comments about the OPWDD 1115 “People First Waiver” to people.first@opwdd.ny.gov, call 1-866-946-9733 or TTY: 1-866-933-4889.
For more information about the waiver, click here.
The 1115 Waiver: A Moving Target
March 23, 2012—In our ongoing commitment to keeping the families and children we serve up to date on what’s happening with the 1115 Waiver, we are posting OPWDD answers to 1115 Waiver questions that were raised by agency directors and staff as part of a video conference on February 17th. We received them March 22. 
1115 Waiver Update
Families Pack the House for OPWDD 1115 Waiver Meeting
OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke and Deputy Commissioner Jim Moran meet with families in a frank Q&A regarding concerns over proposed policy changes to Medicaid-funded services received by their children through OPWDD.
New York Times Reports on Impact, Status of New Definition of Autism
January 23, 2012—A New York Times article entitled "New autism definition may exclude many, study suggests," that appeared on Thursday, 1/19/12, reports, "Proposed changes in the defnition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and may make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests." For the full article, click here.
Bartlett, Powell to Return as Friendraiser Auctioneers May 17th, 2012
Give the Gift of Home this Mother's Day
SKIP has the perfect gift for Mother's Day: It's the SKIP Home Collection of pendants, earrings and charms finely made by the skilled artisans of Carelle ...and it gives you the perfect way to show just how much home means to you. Best of all, with this gift, you give twice because when you purchase one of these gorgeous pieces, all profits go to SKIP of New York and the hard work we are doing to help special needs kids live at home with their families.
Drive to Fund External Email Underway
In our second annual Julia Appeal currently underway, we are seeking to fund an external email system for the 150 case managers and supervisors at SKIP who facilitate the way forward for more than 3,000 sick and disabled children each year. The Appeal is a celebration of the anniversary of Julia's birthday, the young girl who inspired the launch of SKIP nearly 30 years ago....
Phoebe Snow on SKIP's 25th Anniversary
SKIP mom Phoebe Snow tells of her beloved daughter
and how SKIP helped
Kids Helping Kids: SKIP Kids Donate Their Artwork to Fundraiser
July 11, 2011—Nearly 60 SKIP kids donated drawings for a special art exhibit at SKIP's recent Friendraiser. All art was offered for sale; 100% of the funds raised went directly to getting kids off SKIP’s waiting list.