ILCs negotiated in good faith and entered unique Teaming Agreements with explicit requirements for PPL to recommend consumers to ILCs until they reached their contractually approved capacity plans. Instead of referring consumers to ILCs as the contract calls for, PPL is itself operating as a facilitator in direct competition. This is despite the fact that PPL does not meet the statutory definition of a facilitator. This threatens the viability of the ILC role in the program, and also disadvantages consumers who need mentoring and hands-on support to establish themselves successfully in the program and maintain their independence in their homes.
CDPAP allows people with disabilities and older adults to hire, train, and direct their own personal assistants, giving them control over their daily lives. Having locally-based agencies is essential because they understand the supports available in their communities, provide hands-on help with enrollment, paperwork, and employer responsibilities, and ensure consumers receive timely, accessible assistance.
When PPL became the statewide fiscal intermediary, many consumers reported losing access to local support, resulting in long wait times and difficulty getting individualized assistance. As a result, almost 90,000 consumers left CDPAP (so far) for more expensive traditional home care options because their needs were not being met.
Assemblymember Santabarbara and Senator Skoufis have introduced a bill, A.10608/S.9320, to strengthen the role of subcontracted facilitators in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). This bill protects the core values of CDPAP -- independence, self-direction, and community-based support. Specifically,
- It reinforces consumer choice and control by ensuring people have access to trained local facilitators who understand how their disability impacts their life and their care.
- It improves program quality and responsiveness by clarifying requirements for PPL to partner with organizations.
- Prevents service disruptions by restoring the support network consumers relied on before the statewide FI transition.
- Strengthens equity by ensuring culturally competent assistance for diverse communities across New York State.
As one of those aforementioned subcontracted facilitators, STIC strongly supports this bill, and we ask that you contact your State Senator and State Assembly Member to communicate the importance of this issue and urge them to sign on in support.