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.
New!! Read this article from DDAWNY Member Agency 11/17/2023
We’re facing a crisis in caregiving for the disability community (timesunion.com)
New! Check out Family Advocacy and Issue Development for 2023-2024
Check out the Social Media Training
The Lobbyist’s Instruction Book: A Guide to Successful Advocacy
Click here for great resources and information for parents and caregivers.
Find My Elected Representatives
https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Our Brochure: DDAWNY Family Committee Brochure
Watch this video on how FSS Saves Families!
Housing Overview PowerPoint December 2020
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.
Here are more of the letters and articles in .pdf format:
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 12-9-2014
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 09-20-2014
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 1-11-15 (PDF)
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 1-21-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-28-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-12-15
Buffalo News Article 3-14-15 by Lou Michel Eight Who Lived in Squalor Moved from Group Home
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-23-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-25-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-26-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 3-29-15
Buffalo News Everybody’s Column 4-5-15
Also, these letters were published in other papers:
Madison County Courier Letter to the Editor 2-9-15
Utica Observer Dispatch Editorial Jan. 22, 2015
And here is an article about discussing issues with Governor Cuomo at a Minimum Wage Rally:
Executive Director John McHugh Connects With Governor Andrew Cuomo At Minimum Wage Rally
Click here for the information from the Buffalo News on how to WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Guidelines: Writing A Letter to the Editor Page 1 and Writing A Letter to the Editor Page 2