Dormitory Authority To Review Bond Approvals
7/21/06
NYSARC's 2006 application to borrow $26 million at below market interest rates has been tabled by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) the Authority responsible for approving NYSARC's application.
At its June 28 meeting DASNY said it could not approve NYSARC's application until it investigated issues raised by CSEA about NYSARC's application (click here for full text of CSEA submission.) In a letter on June 16 to DASNY CSEA President Danny Donohue (click here to see Pres. Donohue's letter) requested they hold up approval until they investigate:
1. NYSARC's restructuring plans;
2. NYSARC's "Medicaid Risk Assessment" study;
3. Inaccurate information in NYSARC's current and previous applications;
4. A complaint filed at OMRDD about serious quality of care problems at the Schoharie ARC, one of the 13 ARCs involved in the NYSARC application.
At its July 26 meeting, DASNY said they still had not had time to look into all the issues and would take no action on NYSARC's application until its Sept. 27th meeting.
Authority Holds Up $30M In Bonds
Delay follows CSEA complaints about alleged abuse at homes for developmentally disabled
By JAMES M. ODATO, Capitol bureau
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Friday, June 30, 2006
ALBANY -- The Dormitory Authority put aside a proposal to issue $30 million in bonds after a state public employees union alleged numerous violations and potential crimes at homes for people with developmental disabilities.
The Civil Service Employees Association, citing a study done for NYSARC that found abuse, neglect, theft and misrepresentation of assets, said NYSARC could be a risk for bond investors.
NYSARC, a statewide organization that serves more than 57,000 individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, is seeking the $30 million in bonding authority to pay for 38 projects in 14 counties.
Authority spokeswoman Claudia Hutton said the NYSARC bond request was put off at Wednesday's board meeting until its July 26 meeting. It had nothing to do with the letter from CSEA President Danny Donohue, she said.
"There were questions about the full disclosure of financial health and well-being and ability to pay back the bonds," she said.
The authority plans to meet with NYSARC, she said.
In a letter provided by Hutton, NYSARC Executive Director Marc N. Brandt did not deny Donohue's assertions, but said complaints about the local chapters are taken seriously and "corrective measures" are taken when necessary.
In an interview, Brandt said he has been looking into the allegations since he learned of the complaints a week ago.
"I'm not finding the allegations to be the way they're being characterized by the CSEA," he said.
CSEA doesn't represent NYSARC employees, but does represent others in the field. The union has been doing a "Quality Care Campaign" to improve pay and benefits in developmental disabilities services.
The Donohue letter specifically mentioned quality of care complaints at the Schoharie ARC.
"We are also asking the authority to initiate a complete review of Schoharie ARC regarding the unconfirmed quality of care crisis being reported by Schoharie employees," Donohue said.
One unnamed employee, quoted by Donohue, reported mold everywhere in a home causing chronic coughing and irritation.
An employee is also quoted as saying that a woman staying at a Schoharie ARC facility was allowed to scream for months in pain, apparently because of exposed nerves where her teeth had rotted.
Hutton said such issues are the responsibility of the Office for Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, whose spokeswoman could not provide a response.
James M. Odato can be reached at 454-5083 or by e-mail at jodato@timesunion.com.
State Halts Action On Contractor's $30 Million Bond Application
State Investigating NYSARC
June 28, 2006
ALBANY - Today's decision by the Dormitory Authority of New York State to table action on NYSARC's Series 2006 revenue bond application is in the best interest of New York State taxpayers and the quality of care in the state's developmental disabilities services. The action was taken pending review of various issues, including a complaint filed over quality of care problems at Schoharie ARC, one of 13 ARCs involved in the NYSARC application. The other chapters are Westchester, Ontario, Montgomery, Essex, Herkimer, Monroe, Putnam, Chemung, Otsego, Saratoga, Steuben and Warren-Washington.
NYSARC is the statewide umbrella organization representing county-based ARC chapters across New York. NYSARC contracts with the state of New York through the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. NYSARC operating revenues come almost entirely from public funds.
"Before the taxpayers guarantee more funds for NYSARC expansion, we need to know that their operations meet all standards and are not at risk," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "The reality is that OMRDD must step in at considerable taxpayer expense when outside contractors fail to measure up."
"Outside contractors, like NYSARC, must be held to the highest standards because the individuals receiving services and the staff who care for them deserve no less," Donohue said.
In recent months, CSEA launched the Quality Care Campaign to ensure a better future for developmental disabilities services across New York. CSEA was instrumental in the legislative approval of the Quality Care Act which would help improve pay and benefits for employees of the not-for-profit providers including NYSARC chapters, to begin to address the employee turnover crisis. That legislation is now pending the governor's action.
CSEA represents 265,000 members in New York state, including more than 16,000 who provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Most of those members provide services through the state OMRDD in thousands of community based homes and facilities throughout the state. CSEA also represents a growing number of developmental disabilities workers in the not-for-profit sector.
"CSEA has been representing developmental disabilities workers since the 1930s," said Donohue. "We've earned our reputation as New York's leading union by advocating for our members and the services they deliver. We will not back away from the challenge of ensuring quality of care and fairness and respect throughout the entire system."
Please note: CSEA representatives and workers will speak during public hearing on this issue this Friday, June 30 at 10:30 am at the Dormitory Authority, 515 Broadway, Albany.
CSEA Requests DASNY To Halt NYSARC Bond
Read The Letter To DASNY Here
Higher Pay Urged For Employees Working With The Developmentally Disabled
Business Review (ALBANY)
Copyright 2006 American City Business Journals
June 2, 2006
The Civil Service Employees Association is pushing for action on a bill pending in the New York state legislature to provide improved pay for the front-line employees of not-for-profit providers of developmental disabilities services.
The Quality Care Act (S. 6629; A.9822) would provide $25 million to directly benefit these workers.
CSEA does not represent workers at the non-profit agencies, but does represent employees of the State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, which oversees these providers. The union is concerned about the high turnover rate -- about 40 percent -- among front-line employees at the non-profits.
"Front-line workers in not-for-profit agencies deserve better pay and benefits, adequate training and decent working conditions," said Danny Donohue, president of CSEA. "It will help them do a better job."