Family Committee Overview

Our Mission: The mission of the DDAWNY Family Committee is to educate and inform people about the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and ensure quality homes and services are available in a managed care environment.

Our Vision: The DDAWNY Family Committee was established to give a voice and a way to be involved to family members of those individuals.

Our Purpose

To provide individuals with developmental disabilities a range of choices for their living opportunities.
To inform family members about the rights, protections, services and options available to their loved one with developmental disabilities.
To help family members become effective advocates for the collective good and addressing current priority areas.
To help the public gain awareness of the value our loved ones contribute to the community.

Please see the below link for great resources and information for parents and caregivers:

https://www.guideandconnect.org/copy-of-about

Our Brochure: DDAWNY Family Committee Brochure

Families Continue to Educate and Fight for Supports! Watch this Recent Channel 7 Media Coverage regarding the fight of families for needed funding for respite supports: http://www.wkbw.com/news/fight-for-wnyers-with-disabilities-continues

Upcoming Meetings 2020:
7 Community Drive (ASPIRE of WNY) Cheektowaga, New York
The 3^rd Tuesday of the Month @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday September 15, 2020
Tuesday October 20, 2020
Tuesday November 17, 2020
December – NO Tuesday MEETING

Upcoming Meetings 2021:
7 Community Drive (ASPIRE of WNY) Cheektowaga, New York
The 3^rd Tuesday of the Month @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday January 19, 2021
Tuesday February 16, 2021
Tuesday March 16, 2021
Tuesday April 20, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday June 15, 2021

July & August 2020 – NO Family Committee Meetings. Meetings Resume September 2020!

*ON SITE RESPITE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE*

Respite Services will be available on site. PLEASE CALL 1-585-794-0408 by the Monday PRIOR to the Tuesday meeting and leave a message to sign up. Please indicate the AGE of your loved one and any SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS needed. A PARENT or FAMILY MEMBER MUST remain in the building during this/meeting time.

Minutes

Click here to download minutes from our Meetings:

May 2016 DDAWNY Family Committee Meeting Minutes

April 2016 DDAWNY Family Committee Meeting Minutes

October 2015

September 2015

Legislative Breakfast 2014

Read the Comments of two Family Members given at the Breakfast:

Comments by Joan D. Harms for Legislative breakfast

Comments by Rosemary Arnone for Legislative Breakfast

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Published Letters to the Editor

The Family Committee reached out to parents and family members encouraging them to write letters to the editor of the Buffalo News in support of the “Families Cannot be Caregivers Forever” campaign. The response was huge as the issue is urgent. Below are some of the letters that have been published.

https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/02/another-voice-support-professionals-for-people-with-disabilities-are-underpaid/?fbclid=IwAR2Ck1UFaqR8rFcgdkVd9CPeOATKNKXi010DnLw1s6RIk6WxOyzJLw5DhVs

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-direct-care-providers-deserve-a-pay-raise-too-20160308

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-wage-hike-will-devastate-vital-home-care-industry-20160301

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice/another-voice-state-must-help-workers-in-challenging-fields-20150712

http://www.buffalonews.om/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-state-should-not-cut-services-for-disabled-20150227

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-more-group-homes-needed-for-people-with-disabilities-20150304

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-people-with-disabilities-need-support-of-village-20150306

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-cuomos-budget-proposal-will-hurt-disabled-people-20150307