February 9, 2010

YAI Recognized as ANCOR Advocacy Award Winner

Alexandria, VA  -- Today ANCOR announced YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities as the winner of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Capital Challenge and recipient of its annual ANCOR Advocacy Award.
 
The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign (NAC), launched the DSP Capital Challenge in the fall of 2009 as a competition among its membership to generate contact with Members of Congress in support of H.R. 868, the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act.
 
The Capital Challenge competition was successful in facilitating close to 600 unique constituent contacts from DSPs, family members and consumers to Washington lawmakers, helping to raise awareness of the critical supports DSPs provide each day to millions of Americans with disabilities. During the three-month competition, H.R. 868 experienced an increase of thirty-three new co-sponsors bringing the current total to 59.
 
"Each year, the ANCOR Advocacy Award highlights the incredible work of our membership in affecting change for the direct support workforce and shaping the future of the profession," said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. "On behalf of ANCOR, I am pleased to recognize YAI's support of the NAC's goal to seek funding and other solutions that would  mitigate the worsening direct support workforce crisis."
 
As the award winner, a YAI representative  will be sent to ANCOR's 2010 Management Practices Conference in New Orleans, LA (April 11-13) to receive the prestigious ANCOR Advocacy Award and be honored for  outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of the direct support workforce.
 
"It is gratifying that so many of YAI/NIPD's families, staff and direct support professionals reached out to their Congressional members on behalf of all DSPs across the country. By partnering with ANCOR and its members, our collective voices carried a powerful message about our most valuable resource - DSPs," said Dr. Philip H. Levy, President and CEO of YAI/NIPD.
 
About ANCOR's National Advocacy Campaign

Launched in 2001, the mission of ANCOR's National Advocacy Campaignis to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce. The NAC is committed to establishing a national policy to address the DSP workforce shortage, and secure incentives for DSP training and career development.  It aims to secure adequate public funding to provide competitive wages and benefits and promote the value that people with disabilities and those who support them bring to their communities. Visit www.youneedtoknowme.org for more information.
 
About YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities

Since 1957, YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities (YAI/NIPD), a member of the YAI Network, has been a pioneer in the provision of community-based services for people of all ages with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. YAI/NIPD serves people with disabilities and their families throughout the New York metropolitan area, including Long Island and Westchester County. YAI/NIPD provides residential, day services, family support, recreation, employment training and placement, home health care, information and referral, skills training, case management and camping and travel. In short, every service that people with developmental disabilities need to succeed.

Through its award-winning services, trainings, conferences and advocacy, YAI/NIPD has helped to lead a revolution -- professionalizing the field, transforming the public's perception of people with disabilities and championing human rights: to live one's unique life; to determine the course of that life; to make a difference; and to participate in the community.
 
 
About ANCOR

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is the national association representing more than 800 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 400,000 individuals with disabilities.  ANCOR represents the interests of providers before Congress and federal agencies, provides technical assistance and professional development, promotes industry leading practices and offers other benefits.  For more information about ANCOR, visit www.ancor.org.