BELOW ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO REGISTER TO ATTEND THE TRANSFORMATION FORUMS…AND TO SPEAK OR SUBMIT YOUR THOUGHTS & CONCERNS.

IT IS URGENT THAT WE SHOW UP AND SPEAK OUT.

“The goal of transforming our system of support is to help improve the lives of the people we serve. The Transformation Panel was created to address your concerns and deliver
recommendations on the future of our system.

You are invited to join us at one of seven Transformation Panel public forums, held across the state throughout the month of September, to share your thoughts, ideas and concerns with OPWDD Acting Commissioner Kerry A. Delaney and Transformation Panel members.

These public forums are an opportunity to express your views, and we ask that you consider the following questions when sharing your thoughts to help us learn the most from this forum:

· How can self-direction help you take control of your supports and services?
· What do you think would help more people find and keep jobs in the community?
· How can we better plan to meet your residential support needs in the community, now and into the future?
· What ideas do you have for reforming the existing system so it will be sustainable and flexible enough to help meet people’s needs into the future?

Your views will inform the Transformation Panel Recommendations, the Residential Registration List Report and the development of the Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Services (5.07).

Please register here [http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/6128/] by 3 days in advance of the forum you are attending, and also if you will be speaking, since space will be limited. We will be collecting questions in advance when you register and will try to address as many of the questions submitted in advance as possible.

We ask that your questions address broader system-wide issues. Questions about a specific person’s services will be directed o OPWDD’s regional offices and will not be addressed at this forum. Speakers will be tasked to register in advance, limit their comments to no more than three (3) minutes, and bring two (2) copies of their written thoughts.

You can also submit your thoughts or concerns in writing if unable to attend:

NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Neil Mitchell, Special Assistant to the Commissioner
44 Holland Ave., 3rd Floor
Albany, NY 12203
Or by email: Neil.A.Mitchell@opwdd.ny.gov

For general information about the Public Forums, please contact:

1-866-946-9733 or Transformation.Panel@opwdd.ny.gov

Transforming Together Public Forum Schedule

Thursday, September 17
Long Island
12 noon – 2 pm
Upsky Long Island Hotel
110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY

New York City
5 pm – 7 pm
UJA-Federation of New York
130 East 59th St, NY, NY
Thursday, September 24
Syracuse
12 noon – 2 pm
The New York State Fairgrounds
Art and Home Center, Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse

Rochester
5 pm – 7 pm
Guardian Angels Church Hall
2061 E. Henrietta Road, Henrietta

Friday, September 25
Buffalo
11 am – 1 pm
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Auditorium
1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo

Tuesday, September 29
Albany
5 pm – 7 pm
Empire State Plaza,
Meeting Room 6, Albany

Wednesday, September 30
Plattsburgh
12 noon – 2 pm
Westside Ballroom
253 New York Road, Plattsburgh”