Empower Attends Rally in Albany, Calls for Significant Investments into Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

(Niagara Falls, NY) – Last week, Empower CEO Diane Baehre, Director of Education Kathleen Bailey, and Teacher Greer Claffey attended a rally at the Capitol in Albany to call for increased investments into support for the intellectual and developmental disability community after the Governor’s proposed budget failed to meet the needs of the field.

“Last year the Governor and the New York State legislature failed the intellectual and developmental disability community when they refused to make needed investments to insure quality care. This year the Governor’s proposed budget shows once again that decision makers in Albany are not placing a priority on caring for the most vulnerable in our communities,” Empower CEO Diane Baehre said. “We are facing a staffing shortage due to low pay, which will soon become a full-blown crisis across our industry unless legislators and the Governor act to raise wages to meet inflationary pressures. We rely on state funding, as does every other voluntary human services agency across the state, when the Governor and the legislature fail to hear our needs and act with the urgency we continue to communicate, they are putting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities directly at risk of losing the critical care they rely on.”

The rally was hosted by CP State and had many speakers ranging from NYS Assemblymembers and Senators, self-advocates, families, and direct support professionals. Specifically, Empower is calling for:

  • 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Direct Support Professionals (the Governor has only proposed a 1.5%, and FY24 budget she signed only had a 4% COLA when 8.5% was needed to meet inflationary pressures), 
  • The passage of Senator Mannion and Assemblywoman Seawright’s legislation (S.4127-A/A.5268-A) which would provide an average of a $2/hr raise to direct support professionals (or an average of $4,000 per year)
  • An 11% increase in the reimbursement rate for early intervention programs, 
  • And a 4.3% annual growth to 4410 and 853 special education schools to support the recruitment and retention staff and cover inflationary costs. 

“The sad truth is New York State has underfunded intellectual and developmental disability support programs for far too long. This looming crisis is of the Governor, former Governor, and the legislature’s own making and without serious and immediate investment support home closures, reduced service offerings, and reduced care capacity can be expected across the state,” Baehre said. “Investing in our staff and ensuring a fair and livable wage, ensures the most vulnerable in our community have the care they need. It is far past time for our leaders in Albany to take these issues seriously and act responsibly and make the needed investments our industry needs.”

CANCELLED – 28th Annual Matthew J. Murphy Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s golf tournament that was scheduled to take place on Monday, June 15, 2020 at the Niagara Frontier Country Club in Youngstown, NY.

After consulting with other local nonprofits who also canceled their tournaments, and considering COVID-19’s negative financial impact on individuals and businesses in our community, we decided it would be better to pause the event until next year when everyone will be in a much better position to gather together again in support of our mission to empower people to live the lives they choose.

Empower remains a dynamic organization that fulfills its commitment to the people it supports and to donors like you even in times of crisis.

If you would like to support Empower by making a donation, please visit:
https://empower-wny.org/donations/

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at kdaloise @empower-wny.org or (716) 297-0798 ext. 120

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at Empower’s 2021 golf tournament!

POSTPONED – 11th Annual Snowflake Basket Auction

Due to COVID-19 concerns, this event has been postponed until further notice. 

On behalf of the children, adults and families whom we are dedicated to support, EMPOWER would like to invite you to an exciting event.  On March 27th and 28th we are holding our 11th Annual Snowflake Basket Auction at Volare Lodge located at 56th and Kies, Niagara Falls, NY.  The auction will support the vital services that we provide our people right here in Niagara County.

By supporting EMPOWER programs and services you also promote independence, individuality and community inclusion for people of all ages with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, neurological impairment, epilepsy and autism.

Auction Flyer 2020

POSTPONED – 11th Annual Snowflake Basket Auction

Due to COVID-19 concerns, this event has been postponed until further notice. 

On behalf of the children, adults and families whom we are dedicated to support, EMPOWER would like to invite you to an exciting event.  On March 27th and 28th we are holding our 11th Annual Snowflake Basket Auction at Volare Lodge located at 56th and Kies, Niagara Falls, NY.  The auction will support the vital services that we provide our people right here in Niagara County.

By supporting EMPOWER programs and services you also promote independence, individuality and community inclusion for people of all ages with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, neurological impairment, epilepsy and autism.

Auction Flyer 2020

AUTISM FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

Meetings are from 6:30 – 8:30 PM and are held on the first Monday of almost every month on the following dates in 2019:

  • 12/2

Reservations are not necessary unless you need child care. If child care is needed:

*If you are interested in attending, but have transportation or other issues that would limit your attendance, please contact us.