Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am pleased to share that OPWDD recently convened its inaugural meeting of the Developmental Disabilities Taskforce on Aging—a collaborative initiative between my office and the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC).

This taskforce brings together leaders, self-advocates, families, and subject matter experts to develop actionable recommendations that address the evolving needs of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities as they age. We recognize that this population often face unique challenges related to aging in place, healthcare access, and overall quality of life.

At OPWDD, we are committed to supporting people to live as independently and meaningfully as possible through every stage of life. As people with developmental disabilities live longer, healthier lives, we’re now faced with the opportunity—and responsibility—to adapt a service system that was not originally designed to support the complexities of aging. It’s a good problem to have, and one we are eager to solve.

We are grateful to have the partnership and insight of experts in aging, our colleagues at DDAC and, most importantly, the voices of families and people with lived experience. With this collective wisdom, I am confident we will shape innovative and effective strategies to enhance how we support people with developmental disabilities as they age—strengthening our system and improving lives across New York State.

With Gratitude,

Willow Baer
Commissioner

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As I travel around the state, meeting with self-advocates, family members of people with disabilities, and our not-for-profit providers, I am overwhelmed by the fear and uncertainty you are experiencing about the federal cuts to Medicaid and other vital services and the impact it will have on your lives and on your businesses. I share your deep concern over the recently signed “Big Beautiful Bill,” which will decimate New York State’s safety-net healthcare system and is project to result in 1.5 million New Yorkers losing their health insurance coverage and 300,000 losing their SNAP benefits.

While the federal bill makes little change directly to the developmental disabilities services system, OPWDD relies on $7 billion from the Medicaid program annually to fully support more than 130,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. We know that federal cuts of this magnitude will impact the people who receive our services, their families, direct support workers and providers of services, making it even harder to access medical care and in the form of lost benefits, such as SNAP and HEAP.

These edicts from Washington remain front-and-center for New York, with Governor Hochul committed to protecting New Yorkers. At the same time, OPWDD continues to move forward with our goals to increase independence and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. This last state budget saw the single largest increase for OPWDD services to date, an increase of 9%, for a total budget of $13.1 billion. This included a 2.6% targeted inflationary increase for non-profit providers, and an historic $850 million investment in funding for our not-for-profit providers to continue to increase salaries for our vital frontline workers.  

New federal cuts undermine our ability to provide the greatest quality support for people with developmental disabilities, removing the very safety net health services and benefits people with developmental disabilities rely on for physical wellness and safety in the community. Our resolve and our advocacy for the disability community, however, will only continue to grow. I will keep you informed about any changes or impacts to our system as we chart a path forward together. You are not alone in this: our community stands together.  

Sincerely,

Willow Baer, Commissioner

On May 9, Governor Hochul announced passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget. This final Enacted Budget represents agreement between the Governor and the two houses of the state Legislature, the Senate and the Assembly.

Making New York More Affordable: Nearly $5,000 Back in the Pockets of Working Families

Inflation Refund

Middle-Class Tax Cut

Middle-Class Tax Cut

Child Tax Credit

Access to Child Care

Universal School Meals

With this budget, Governor Hochul has made clear her commitment to families – including those of people with developmental disabilities and hardworking New Yorkers like our direct professionals whose support is so essential to our system. I was honored to have a few of our Direct Support Professionals beside me at the Governor’s State of the State Address this year when the Governor announced she’d seek to deliver the largest middle-class tax cut in more than 50 years. And Governor Hochul delivered in this budget with nearly $1 billion in tax relief for New Yorkers. To fight back against inflation, this year’s budget includes New York’s first ever inflation refund, which will send checks up to $500 to families making up to $300,000 per year. Governor Hochul has also expanded the state’s child tax credit up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16.

Beyond these common-sense cost-saving measures, New York’s Enacted Budget holds promising wins for our frontline workforce, while increasing health equity and modernizing research capabilities for people with developmental disabilities. 

Providing Relief to Nonprofit Provider Agencies

2.6% Targeted Inflationary Increase, the Fourth Consecutive Increase Totaling Nearly $1.4 Billion

$850 Million in Updated Reimbursement Rates for Residential and Day Service Providers Meant to Increase Wages for Frontline Workers

The Governor’s Enacted Budget continues the four-year trend of inflationary increases for New York’s frontline workers at 2.6%. In addition to this increase, the Governor has extended the nearly $850 million in updated reimbursement rates for non-profit residential and day service providers to allow them to offer more competitive wages for frontline workers, ensuring better retention, fewer staffing vacancies, and a better quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. We’re already hearing about the positive impact on providers for hiring and retention.

$25 Million to Create Regional
Disability Health Clinics

We know that access to healthcare is not equal for all New Yorkers. That’s why we’re happy to announce that this year’s budget includes $25 million to create Regional Disability Health Clinics across the state to improve access to health care and resulting health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities.

$75 Million to Modernize OPWDD’s Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities

The Enacted Budget also includes $75 million to modernize the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, OPWDD’s research arm.

New Funding to Establish a Genomics Core Facility

This investment – the largest in IBR’s history – will establish a Genomics Core Facility to better understand genetic defects underlying people’s disabilities.

New Funding to Create a “Center for Learning” on the former Willowbrook State School Property

his funding will also reimagine the former Willowbrook State School property into a “Center for Learning,” recognizing the importance this site had in sparking New York State’s disability rights movement and influencing the developmental disabilities delivery system across the nation.

More Tax Credits for Businesses that Hire People With Developmental Disabilities

Governor Hochul knows that employment open doors for everyone. This year’s Enacted Budget continues to build on New York’s Employment First initiative by more than doubling the maximum tax credit for businesses that hire people with disabilities from $2,100 to $5,000. This significant increase will not only benefit people with developmental disabilities who want to work but also the businesses that choose to offer them that opportunity.

READ MORE ABOUT NEW YORK’S ENACTED BUDGET HERE

https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.budget.ny.gov%2F/1/01010196f971b222-3c93ee15-3a41-434a-9692-932fe5ed6938-000000/o415UV87fD-Fx30cqAgks4CjdQXYAcaCAK5Mo2RAiN8=406