Nonprofits are busy in Albany

There is a new resource for determining state lawmakers’ performance on issues important to disabled people. The New York Association on Independent Living is behind the new scorecards, which grade Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature on issues including health, housing, employment, and transportation, according to a Jan. 22 press release. For now, the scorecards merely list legislation relevant to each category. The final grades will be issued after the April 1 state budget deadline,

“With new leadership in the state Senate and a voter mandate for change, the disability community is optimistic that our priorities will be fully enacted this year. Not all of our budget priorities are in the executive budget released on Tuesday, but we’re hopeful that after the budget amendment period and three-way negotiations that they will be,” stated Lindsay Miller, executive director of the NYAIL. “We’re hoping for straight A’s.”

New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman was all smiles at the state Capitol on Jan. 22. She and other representatives of the nonprofit were on hand as the state Legislature passed the Reproductive Health Act, which codified Roe v. Wade into state law. With concerns growing about a federal crackdown on abortion rights, the law was a priority of women’s health and civil rights groups such as the NYCLU.

The work continues for the NYCLU this legislative session. Hopes are high that the new Democratic majority in the state Senate will allow criminal justice reforms to pass. These include: eliminate monetary bail, discovery reform, new speedy trial rules, marijuana legalization, and the repeal of a state civil rights law that keeps police disciplinary records away from public scrutiny, according to an NYCLU spokesman.

Happy to be standing with @NYCLU @PPFA and so many other amazing advocates on this historic day. Reproductive rights not to be compromised by our lawmakers. #PassRHA pic.twitter.com/yGzgYU1nRu

— Iman (@Imaaaaaaaaan) January 22, 2019

The Mental Health Association of Westchester is taking over Break The Hold. The family of Brian Thomas Halloran, a 19-year-old who committed suicide last year, founded the initiative to promote depression awareness in schools and communities and “break the hold” of mental health issues, according to a Jan. 22 press release. It was unclear from the press release what led to the takeover, but the mental health association is a 70-year-old organization with a relatively broad reach in Westchester.

“Together, Break The Hold and MHA will advance a shared goal of helping youth become resilient, emotionally healthy adults,” said Charlotte Östman, MHA chief executive officer. “We look forward to harnessing our joint passion, resources and experience for this vital work.”

Nasry Michelen Day Care Center has won a $1.01 million contract with the Administration for Children’s Services. The money will fund child care services, according to the City Record. Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services has received a $251,000 contract with the Department for the Aging for senior services.

After-school program advocates are rallying at the state Capitol today. They are seeking increased funding for the state Advantage After School Program and are lobbying lawmakers to support them, according to a Jan. 21 press release. Above all, the advocates want $37.12 million for the program in the upcoming budget to pay for the cost associated with meeting the new minimum wage and to make state reimbursements better reflect actual program costs of helping low-income communities. Organizations from municipalities like Rochester, New York City and Buffalo are sending representatives, including: Capital District YMCA, Coalition for Hispanic Children and Families, Boys & Girls Club of Western Broome Family Center, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, and Erie County Youth Bureau. Here is a list of all the upcoming state budget hearings.