Clinical Corner: Advocating for Our Community: Eden II in Albany with IAC

By Randy Horowitz, MSEd, SAS, Associate Executive Director of School and Adult Services
Eden II Programs

Earlier this month, Eden II was proud to join our colleagues from across New York State as part of the IAC (Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies) for two full days of advocacy in Albany.

Alongside fellow provider agencies, our staff and leadership team met with State Senators, Assembly members, committee chairs in Education, and representatives from the Division of the Budget. Our message was clear and unified: meaningful investment in services for people with developmental disabilities must include meaningful investment in the workforce that makes those services possible.

These conversations were thoughtful, productive, and grounded in the real experiences of the individuals, families, and staff we serve every day.

Below is a summary of the key priorities we advocated.

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

Eden II, along with IAC, urged the State to strengthen the infrastructure that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD):

• Provide a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase for nonprofit IDD providers — representing an additional 1% above the Governor’s proposal — and ensure Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs) remain fully integrated in service delivery.
• Restore the OPWDD Healthcare Enhancement Program, adding $2,500 per employee to expand and enhance health insurance coverage and reduce out-of-pocket costs for frontline staff.
• Support affordable housing solutions for our workforce, including:
  • A CareForce Affordable Housing Lottery Preference to prioritize DSPs and frontline workers for affordable housing near their workplaces.
  • An Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant Program providing a 50% match, up to $3,000 per worker annually, to support security deposits, rent assistance, and housing stability.
  • A SONYMA “CareForce” Homeownership Incentive offering enhanced down payment assistance (up to $20,000) and reduced mortgage interest rates for frontline care workers.
• Enhance the New York Child and Dependent Care Credit to better support working families.

These proposals recognize a simple truth: our workforce is the backbone of our system. Competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and access to stable housing are essential to recruiting and retaining the dedicated professionals who support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

State Education Department (SED)

Education remains central to Eden II’s mission. During our meetings, we advocated for:

• FAPE 22, ensuring students with disabilities remain eligible for state aid through June 30 of the year they turn 22.
• An increase of $10 million to (Excessive Teacher Turnover Prevention Programs) ETTPP funding, with $5 million addressing inflationary costs and $5 million expanding funding to include additional direct care instructional titles.

These initiatives would help strengthen educational programs, support specialized instructional staff, and ensure students with disabilities continue to receive high-quality services as they transition to adulthood.

Why This Matters

At Eden II, we see every day how policy decisions impact real people — the individuals building independence in our programs, the students preparing for their next chapter, and the Direct Support Professionals and educators whose commitment makes this work possible.

Advocacy is not separate from our mission — it is an extension of it.

We are grateful to the legislators and staff who took time to meet with us and engage in meaningful dialogue. We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure that New York State continues to invest in high-quality services and in the workforce that supports our community.

Together, we are advocating not just for funding — but for dignity, opportunity, and long-term sustainability for the people and families we proudly serve.

To support our mission, visit eden2.org/donate.