OMRDD is pleased to announce that it will be holding a series of Public Forums

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State of New YorkOffice of Mental Retardation and Developmental DisabilitiesAnnounces a series of Public Forums for theFive Year Comprehensive Plan: 2008 - 2012

"We help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives."The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and DevelopmentalDisabilities (OMRDD)is pleased to announce that it will be holding a series of Public Forumsonits new Five Year Comprehensive Plan for Services for the Period 2008through 2012.A schedule of the Public Forum dates and times is listed below. Details for some locations will be announced at a later date. Please register by calling the contact number listed below.Video presentation of forums can be viewed online at www.omr.state.ny.us<http://www.omr.state.ny.us/> following the events.OMRDD intends to utilize the ideas, suggestions, and comments receivedthrough the public forums to develop a Draft Comprehensive Plan. OMRDDurgesself-advocates, parents of people with developmental disabilities, otherfamily members, non-profit providers, professionals, advocates, andotherinterested parties to participate. OMRDD is particularly interested inhearing about the following themes, but commentary is not limited solelytothese themes.1. OMRDD Vision StatementPeople with developmental disabilities* enjoy meaningful relationships with friends, family and othersin their lives,* experience personal health and growth,* live in the home of their choice, and* fully participate in their communities.* What issues most impact on OMRDD's ability to deliver the VisionStatement outcomes for the people we serve?* How can OMRDD and its partners (self-advocates, families,providers and other agencies) improve services to deliver these outcomesforthe people we serve?2. Quality of Services and Customer Satisfaction* How can we better involve self-advocates and families asproductive partners?* What are the key indicators of quality for the people we serve?* What are the national and local best and promising practices NewYork State should consider implementing or replicating?3. Building Community* How can we promote full community participation and contribution?* How can we encourage communities to become more responsive andinclusive?4. Equity and Access to Services* How can OMRDD as a system better support people to truly makeinformed choices about their supports and services?* How do we ensure all individuals, including those with autismspectrum disorders, the aging, people with medical frailties, children,andothers, are provided fair and equitable access to person centeredservices?* How do we better facilitate access to supports and services acrossservice systems for people with multiple disability needs?5. Workforce Capacity into the Future* How do we sustain quality and stability in both direct support andclinical workforce areas in an era of changing workforce demographics?* How do we develop the next generation of leaders throughout thesystem to meet the challenges of tomorrow?Speakers will be asked to register in advance of the forum, limit theircomments to five (5) minutes, and bring three (3) copies of the testimony. Written testimony can alsobesubmitted to Cynthia Redshaw at OMRDD, 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229.For general information about the Public Forums, please contact OMRDD's Bureau of Planning:Phone: (518) 474-4904 Fax: (518) 473-0054 E-mail:cynthia.redshaw@omr.state.ny.us<mailto:cynthia.redshaw%40omr.state.ny.us> ____________________________________________________________2008 - 2012 Comprehensive Plan: Public Forum Schedule(To register, obtain more information or directions to the hearinglocation,or to arrange for a special accommodation, please call the contactpersonfor that forum at the number listed below.)Long Island: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 - 4 pm to 7 pmEncore Room at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel on Motor Parkway,Hauppauge,NY (Contact: Dr. Richard Evangelista (631) 434-6111)Fishkill: Thursday, June 5, 2008 - 4 pm to 7 pmHoliday Inn, 542 Route 9, Fishkill, NY (Contact: Robert Slawinski (845) 471-9226 x151)Syracuse: Monday, June 9, 2008 - 11 am to 3 pmLocation to be Announced(Contact: Valerie Bushey (315) 473-6977)Queensbury/Lake George: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Location to be Announced (Contact: Anne Timmons (518) 581-3038)Buffalo: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 2 pm to 5 pm Location to be Announced (Contact: Debby McElwain (716) 517-3831)Binghamton: Monday, June 23, 2008 - 4 pm to 7 pmLocation to be Announced. (Contact: Joseph Mahon (607) 770-0255)New York City: Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and 6 pm to8:30pm 75 Morton St., Manhattan, NY(Contact: Yvonne Anglero (212) 229-3081)Janice FitzgeraldParent to Parent of NYSwww.parenttoparentnys.org518-359-3006, fax 518-359-2151As parents of children with exceptional needs, we have to understandearlyon that our sons and daughters are human beings with potential and thatweare the ones best positioned to unlock that potential. Part of the workatParent to Parent of NYS is to empower parents to face the challenges andbelieve in their child and advocate so they can reach their potential.