Senator Terry Gipson Announces Additional Funds for Opwdd Signed Into Law

Terry Gipson

September 30, 2013

For Immediate Release: September 30, 2013
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

SENATOR TERRY GIPSON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR OPWDD SIGNED INTO LAW

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today announced that Governor Cuomo has signed into law a bill, cosponsored by Senator Gipson, which will provide additional funds to the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). These funds will ensure that OPWDD is able to provide adequate funds for nonprofit services that rely on state aid.

“Due to budget cuts incurred earlier this year, a large portion of community-based services OPWDD assists would have been forced to shut down, disrupting the lives of individuals and families throughout Dutchess and Putnam,” Senator Gipson said. “I was proud to cosponsor this bill and work with my colleagues and the Governor to ensure that all necessary funds be provided to OPWDD so that these essential services would be funded and restored.”

The OPWDD funds not-for-profit providers of community-based services allowing people with disabilities to remain within their communities instead of transferring to centralized, state-run facilities that are usually farther from their communities. Senate Bill S.4777D, cosponsored by Senator Gipson, restores up to $90 million to maintain OPWDD’s ability to aid nonprofit organizations throughout the state.

Added Senator Gipson: “In Dutchess and Putnam Counties, we are extremely fortunate to have amazing non-profit organizations that deliver services that serve children with developmental disabilities. These additional funds will raise the quality of direct care that these children and adults are receiving. I remain committed to fighting for these individuals, families and organizations.”