New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 4 - Executive Orders (Mario M. Cuomo) › Section 4.186 - Executive order no. 186: creating a task force on the skills, training and career advancement of direct care workers providing services to individuals with disabilities

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, the quality of life of children and adults with
					 disabilities is linked to the existence of quality jobs for direct service
					 workers and other paraprofessional staff in the disability fields;
WHEREAS, there have been recent developments in the
					 disability field, including new legal mandates, demographic trends, therapeutic
					 advances, new philosophical approaches and changes in funding
					 mechanisms;
WHEREAS, these recent developments have increased the need
					 for a well-trained and highly educated direct service work force, with
					 increased responsibilities and decision-making, working in partnership with a
					 diverse consumer population, in more decentralized and individualized
					 settings;
WHEREAS, the ability of provider agencies to implement new
					 mandates and programs requires the support of direct service workers, who
					 represent over one-half of the work force in the disability field, and who
					 share the same environments and spend the most time with individuals with
					 disabilities;
WHEREAS, there are emerging new career opportunities for
					 the direct service work force in areas such as the prevention of disabilities,
					 early intervention, case management, home habilitation, personal care
					 assistance, transition services, supported employment, advocacy, aging and
					 disability, psychiatric rehabilitation, community support services, family
					 support services, inclusive education and assistive technology;
WHEREAS, high rates of staff turnover can interrupt the
					 close relationship between staff and consumers and may adversely affect the
					 quality of care offered in the system;
WHEREAS, the ongoing changes in the service delivery system
					 have clarified the need for a stable, highly trained direct service work force,
					 with opportunities for career advancement through continuing and higher
					 education and demonstrated skill competency;
WHEREAS, the ability of provider agencies to attract and
					 retain a highly skilled direct service work force is in part dependent upon
					 providing innovative training and a continuum of educational
					 opportunities;
WHEREAS, voluntary providers are private businesses and
					 should be allowed a maximum level of management flexibility while ensuring
					 economic and efficient delivery of services;
WHEREAS, the State and private provider agencies have
					 worked collaboratively and effectively with educational institutions, private
					 foundations, unions, non-profit organizations and consumer groups to establish
					 innovative training and educational programs for direct care practitioners;
					 and
WHEREAS, there continues to exist a need to expand and
					 build on these collaborative efforts, to better coordinate initiatives among
					 the State agencies, private provider agencies and other interested groups, and
					 to design work force policies that lead to career advancement opportunities for
					 workers and improved services for individuals with disabilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARIO M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of
					 New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws
					 of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
A. Creation of Task Force
1. There is hereby created a Task Force to
				  study and report on the skills, training and career advancement of direct care
				  workers who provide health, education and other human services to New York
				  State residents with disabilities.
2. The Deputy Secretary to the Governor for
				  Human Services shall be the Chair of the Task Force. The Task Force shall
				  consist of up to twenty-five members and shall include representatives of
				  institutions of higher education such as the New York State Consortium for the
				  Study of Disabilities, non-profit organizations such as Reaching Up, Inc.,
				  public and private provider agencies, unions, consumer groups, direct service
				  workers, professional associations, other interested individuals and
				  organizations;
3. The Deputy
				  Secretary to the Governor for Human Services, the Commissioner of the Office of
				  Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Commissioner of Mental
				  Health, the Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
				  Services, the Commissioner of Education, the Deputy Commissioner for Vocational
				  and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, the Commissioner of
				  Health, the Commissioner of Social Services, the Director of the Governor's
				  Office of Employee Relations, the Commissioner of Civil Service, the Director
				  of the Budget, the Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities
				  Planning Council and the Executive Director of the Council on Children and
				  Families, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio members of the Task
				  Force.