Happy National Family Caregivers Month! This is a time to recognize the family members and loved ones who provide care and advocacy for people with I/DD. For many CDNY members, family caregivers are an important part of their support 2 of 13 network. They help you reach your goals, stay connected to your community and remain safe and healthy.
November marks the start of a busy season of winter holidays and gatherings, too. This is a joyful time, but it can also bring new responsibilities and changes to your daily routine. As we get closer to the holidays, we encourage you to enjoy your favorite traditions with loved ones. We hope you can spend time with the people who support you throughout the year!
This month also brings opportunities for you to learn and make your voice heard.
Diane Marrone
Chief of Care Management
Learn About CAS and CANS-NY
The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is holding information sessions this month. These will explain two types of assessments. The first is the Coordinated Assessment System (CAS). The second is the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS-NY).
This is a chance to learn what these assessments are and why they matter. November offerings include:
An in-person session in New York City on November 4
An in-person session in the Capital District on November 12
An in-person session in Westchester on November 17
Statewide virtual sessions on November 10 and November 18
CDNY will have representatives available at all in-person sessions. Please note that space for in-person sessions is limited.
On November 16, our team will be attending the NYDA Budget Rally at the Capitol. We will join others in calling for funding and support for people in the I/DD community.
Learn more about the rally in the Ongoing Advocacy section below! Whether November finds you celebrating a family caregiver, gathering with loved ones, learning more about the services that support you or raising your voice for the I/DD community, we hope you find opportunities this month to connect, participate and be heard.
⚕MEDICAL MOMENT
As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time to focus on your health. Have you had your annual checkup? Are you up to date on vaccines and health screenings? Paying attention to preventive care can help you stay healthy throughout the year.
VaccineReminders
Fall and winter are peak times for illnesses like the flu. Vaccines can protect you from getting very sick or needing to go to the hospital.
Fluvaccine: Get your flu shot every year.
COVID-19 and RSV: Talk to your doctor about whether these vaccines are right for you.
Brittany Miske, RN, AGNP-BC
VP of Healthcare Management and Quality Officer
Checkups and Screenings
Have you scheduled your annual physical yet? A yearly checkup with your primary care provider (PCP) is one of the best ways to track your health and address any concerns.
Health screenings can also identify problems early — sometimes before you even feel ill.
November is National Diabetes Month and National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. These are good reminders to ask your doctor about your health and any screenings you may need.
Diabetesscreenings: A screening can check for signs of diabetes or high blood sugar. Ask your doctor if it’s time for a test.
Cancer screenings: Screenings can detect certain cancers early. Your doctor can tell you which tests are right for you based on your age and health.
Diabetes is a disease that causes your blood sugar levels to become too high. If it is not treated, it can lead to other health problems. Even if your diabetes is controlled with insulin or medicine, such as metformin, it is important to keep managing your diabetes and have regular check-ins with your PCP or endocrinologist.
Need help planning your checkups or screenings? Reach out to your Care Manager. They can answer your questions and connect you with the support you need.
Did you know that CDNY has a Healthcare Management team? This team helps members and families learn about ways to stay healthy, including through checkups and screenings.
You may receive a phone call from the Healthcare Management team to discuss your health. They can share resources and answer questions about topics like flu shots, diabetes and cancer screenings.
The goal of these conversations is to help you and your family make the best choices for your health. If someone from the Healthcare Management team reaches out, we hope you’ll take the time to talk with them!
ONGOING ADVOCACY
Advocacy Update
Our advocacy team is tracking key issues that could affect people with disabilities. Here’s what we’re following:
Olmstead Protections. Olmstead gives states guidance on how to protect the rights of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their communities. Lawmakers are seeking to pass the Latonya ReevesFreedom Act, which would make these protections part of federal law.
Medicaid Changes Related to H.R.1. Starting in January 2027, new rules will apply if you lose Medicaid coverage and have to re-apply. If you apply after a coverage gap, Medicaid will cover only the last two months instead of three. Make sure you renew your Medicaid coverage on time. Open all mail from Medicaid and any from Care Design NY. Your Care Manager can help if you have questions.
Protecting Home and Community-Based Services. Cuts to Medicaid could make it harder to access home and community-based services, or HCBS. Waitlists could get longer. We need to speak up to protect funding for these services.
NYDA Budget Rally
New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) will hold a Capitol Rally on Monday, November 16. The rally will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the New York State Capitol in Albany. Advocates will call for investment in New York’s I/DD service system.
This includes:
A 3.4% Targeted Inflationary Increase
Care Force Wage Investment
Restoration of the Healthcare Enhancement Program
We encourage attendees to wearorange in support of the I/DD community.
One of the most powerful ways to advocate for yourself and others is to share your story.
Have you or your family benefited from services that help you live, work or take part in your community? Has someone made it easier for you to speak up for your needs or reach a goal? We’d love to hear from you!
Your story could be featured in a future newsletter. Sharing your story can give others a better understanding of how disability rights and services make a difference in people’s lives. On the same webpage, you will find more information about the advocacy issues we are following and how your story could help.
Having the chance to work is important for people with I/DD. In honor of National Disability Employment Month in October, we asked CDNY members to share their experiences at work. Here are some of the highlights!
Alissa Slade
Alissa Slade works at Whole Foods Market. She has been there for a little over a year. She packs online grocery orders and gets them ready for delivery. Alissa enjoys earning her own money and working with others. “My bosses are awesome at supporting me and give me good advice on how to do my job better,” she told us. “I interact with coworkers and customers a lot, which helps with my communication skills.” Alissa believes everyone should have opportunities to work. In her words, “It can make you feel immensely proud… People with I/DD can bring a lot of positivity to a job.”
Abraham Fleishman
Abraham Fleishman has been working as a messenger for AHRC NYC for a few years. He delivers mail between offices and helps with cleaning. Abraham is happy to get paid for what he does. He also enjoys meeting people in the community. When asked what he would want employers to know, Abraham had a clear message: “I would want employers to know that people with I/DD deserve good jobs.”
Alfred Ha
Alfred Ha has worked at AHRC NYC for 14 years. He is now an administrative assistant who helps support different departments. One of Alfred’s favorite parts of his job is taking on new challenges and using his skills to do his work. He feels people with I/DD deserve the chance to show their skills at work and that everyone can get the job done in their own way through hard work, no matter their disability.
WAMC Voting Rights Interview
At CDNY, we believe everyone eligible to vote should have the chance to do so. CDNY member Ed Bartz was recently interviewed by WAMC-FM. He spoke about voting rights and the importance of making voting accessible.
The CDNY team was proud to volunteer at this year’s Special Olympics Fall Games in New York! Events like these are a great way to showcase the talents and skills of people in the I/DD community. A big thank you to the athletes, families and volunteers who took part.
The CDNY team recently attended the Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. The event celebrated 40 years of advocacy. We spent time talking with self-advocates, connecting with others who work in the field and learning directly from the people we support. The time spent was invaluable and we appreciated the opportunity to attend!
Veronica Crawford, Individual and Family Liaison with CDNY, was in attendance and a number of other CDNY members and families stopped by our table to say hello. Kudos to SANYS for another fun and informative event!
Member Services Department
We Want to Hear from You!
At CDNY, your feedback matters. Members and families are always welcome to contact our Member Services Department. You can share concerns, complaints, compliments or general feedback. We want you to have the best experience with CDNY possible. Your input helps us continue to improve the services we provide.
Email: membersupport@caredesignny .org Phone: 347-539-4784 or 518-556-0145
We are here to listen and support you.
Stay In The Know
Upcoming Member Events
Looking for ways to get involved? Learn more about upcoming events, trainings and advocacy opportunities.
Meetings & Trainings
Future Planning Workshop Series
The Westchester Institute for Human Development launched a new workshop series this fall. This series helps caregivers develop a transition plan.
Transition plans ensure that, as caregivers grow older, their loved ones continue to receive support. The series includes eight sessions, one per month.
All sessions are from 6-7:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. By the end of the series, attendees will have a guide they can use to pass on what they know to future caregivers.
NY ABLE is holding a free webinar on Tuesday, November 17, at 2 p.m. ET. This is a chance to learn how NY ABLE helps people with disabilities save and invest money. The program lets you save for your future while keeping benefits like SSI, SSDI and Medicaid.
Join CDNY at our next free virtual event! Our Peer Empowerment Group sessions are led by Individual and Family Liaison Veronica Crawford. They are a great way to learn new things and connect with other members.
Finding the Good | Thursday, November 19, 2026
Join Veronica Crawford, host of the Peer Empowerment Group, for a group discussion. We’ll share our holiday plans and talk about what we’re thankful for. We invite you to come together and celebrate the good things in life. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thinking about attending a Peer Empowerment Group session? See what we’ve covered at our recent events!
September 2026 | Internet Safety
In September, we met to talk about internet safety. We discussed ways to protect your personal information online. We also shared tips for creating strong passwords, spotting dangerous links and staying safe on sites like Facebook.
CDNY Cares
September 2026 | Internet Safety