[NYAPRS Enews] NYT: Disability Advocates, Burton Blatt Institute Apply to Run NY's P&A

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS Note: NYAPRS is pleased to see that the Cuomo Administration is
asking that Disability Advocates explore ways to take over
administration of the state's Protection and Advocacy function for New
Yorkers with disabilities with Syracuse University's Burton Blatt
Institute. Stay tuned for more details about the public hearing and
comment period as they are available. 

 

Syracuse University Applies to Run Agency That Polices Abuse of Disabled
People

By Danny Hakim  New York Times  October 16, 2012

 

ALBANY - The Cuomo administration is strongly considering a surprise bid
from Syracuse University
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/s/syr
acuse_university/index.html?inline=nyt-org>  to run a new federally
financed nonprofit agency that will monitor treatment of people with
developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, according to people
involved in the process.

 

The university's application, however, is being questioned by some
disability advocates. Syracuse is proposing to create a nonprofit group
under its auspices that would run the oversight agency, a departure for
the university, which is largely known for its research and policy
expertise in the field. And while the group is supposed to be
independent, the university is proposing to allow one-third of its board
members "to be elected with input from the governor."

 

The only other applicant is Disability Advocates Inc.
<http://www.disabilityadvocates.info/index.htm> , a nonprofit group that
has extensive experience with oversight work as a state contractor
charged with advocating for disabled people. The organization has
brought litigation against the state over care for people with
disabilities.

 

The Commission on Quality of Care <http://cqc.ny.gov/>  released the
applications on Monday in response to a Freedom of Information request.

 

The administration is exploring a potential collaboration between
Syracuse and Disability Advocates.

 

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/andrew_m_c
uomo/index.html?inline=nyt-per>  backed legislation this year to create
a new state agency
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/nyregion/deal-in-albany-on-policing-a
buse-of-disabled.html> , the Justice Center for the Protection of People
with Special Needs
<http://www.governor.ny.gov/Justice4SpecialNeeds/home> , that will
police abuse and neglect of vulnerable populations. He is expected to
sign that legislation in the coming weeks.

 

The federal government has pressured New York to also create a
nongovernmental oversight group, similar to those found in most other
states, because of longstanding lapses in oversight
<http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/nyregion/abused-and-used-series-page
.html>  by government officials and widespread problems of abuse,
neglect and financial mismanagement among providers of services to
people with disabilities.

 

"We felt that we could bring a fresh perspective and new approach," said
Michael Morris, executive director of the Burton Blatt Institute
<http://bbi.syr.edu/>  at Syracuse University, an interdisciplinary
research center focusing on the challenges of people with disabilities.

 

Mr. Morris said the governance structure of the board "is open to more
discussion."

 

"We have been asked to engage in conversations with D.A.I.," he added.
"The state does see strengths in both their proposals."

 

Curtis Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights
Network <http://www.napas.org/> , a trade association for federally
financed groups that oversee the care and treatment of disabled people,
expressed concern about the Syracuse University bid. But he said his
organization would welcome whatever group was selected.

 

"We don't want a governor stacking a board," Mr. Decker said, adding,
"You need a really independent, aggressive agency to be a counterpoint
to the Justice Center."

 

He also expressed concern that Syracuse might not be as aggressive about
seeking court intervention as Disability Advocates.

 

Before any final decision is made, there will be a hearing followed by a
public comment period.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/nyregion/syracuse-university-applies-t
o-run-agency-that-polices-abuse-of-disabled-people.html?_r=2&ref=nyregio
n&

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