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Advocacy

New York Statewide Systems Advocacy Network And Strategies for Effecting Positive Systemic Change

Developed By: Clifton Perez, M.S.W. Systems Advocate

Introduction

The New York Statewide Systems Advocacy Network is a group of individual advocates from various Independent Living Centers throughout the State of New York, determined to bring about positive systemic change. Toward that end, your participation - within the Network as a volunteer advocate - is greatly needed to maximize our chances for success. So, are you interested in how the political system works, how the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network operates and how you can become involved in this progressive movement as a catalyst for Effecting Positive Systemic Change? Click here for more.

Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC)

New York State enacted legislation establishing the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) in 2002 to ensure that people of all ages with disabilities reside and function in the most integrated setting possible. The legislative intent behind the law charged the MISCC with developing and overseeing a comprehensive state plan to ensure that people of all ages with disabilities avoid institutionalization and live in a setting that is appropriate to their desires. Acting Commissioner Diana Ritter of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) will chair the MISCC. The MISCC will review the MISCC Report and the Implementation Plan and begin to chart a course for achieving "most integrated setting goals." Click here for more.

Two non-profit law firms create Empire Justice Center.
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Money coming for voting machines State isn't sure what it will buy with $153.4 million from federal government.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
By Erik Kriss Albany bureau

The federal government is sending New York $153.4 million to help buy new voting machines even though state lawmakers still haven't agreed what kind of machines the state should have in place by next year's elections. The money represents the balance of New York's federal aid under the 2002 Help America Vote Act, or HAVA, which requires new state voting systems by next year to avoid a repeat of Florida's fiasco in the 2000 presidential elections. New York is the last state to get all of its federal money; only Guam is still waiting. Even though New York has delayed the tough decision about a new voting system, HAVA requires only that states appropriate a 5 percent match and adopt an administrative complaint procedure to get all their federal aid. New York did both at the end of March. The 2005 state legislative session is scheduled to end June 23, and lawmakers say they're well aware that they need an agreement on new voting machines by then. Local electionsofficials have said they need 18 months to implement whatever plan the state devises. The U.S. Justice Department could take action against New York if, as is virtually certain, new machines aren't in place by Jan. 1. If new machines are still not in place by the first federal election of 2006 likely a fall primary New York is supposed to return its federal aid to the U.S.
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