A New York State advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities

 

The Capital District Coalition's Mission:

To advocate with parents and other relatives for people with developmental disabilities

Formed in 1991, the Capital District Coalition grew into an organization of 31 New York State Capital District agencies and state-wide organizations.

Agency members of the Capital District Coalition serve over 30,000 people with 8,500 employees in Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.

A major economic force in the capital district, the total budgets of the member agencies exceeds $250,000,000.

Participating statewide organizations include NYSARC Inc.(formerly New York State Association for Retarded Children), Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, New York State Rehab Association, New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies, Learning Disabilities Association of New York, Parent to Parent of New York State, and New York State Catholic Conference.

The Coalition advocates for:

• A Fair Wage for Direct Care Workers
• Funding for downsizing large residences and day programs
• Enhanced revenues to enable agencies to support consumers who become more needy through age or illness so they can remain in their group homes
• Support for Governor Pataki's NYS CARES Program

Examples of Coalition Activities:

• Meetings with the Commissioner of OMRDD
• Meetings with key legislators and their staff
• Meetings with key state departments such as Division of the Budget
• Statewide media campaigns
• Letter writing campaigns
• Supporting related initiatives such as the Coalition of Families to Support Direct Care Workers Fair Wage Campaign

For more information please contact Shaloni Winston