What is CDPAANYS: A Comprehensive Look at Elderly Care

Understanding CDPAP and CDPAANYS

To understand the landscape of elderly care in the United States, it's crucial to familiarize oneself with key programs and associations such as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS).

What is CDPAP?

CDPAP stands for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. This program focuses on enabling individuals to make choices regarding their activities of daily living and manage their personal assistance. The consumers have employer responsibilities and must be capable of recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and terminating personal assistants. They also need to handle paperwork related to their assistance [1].

As per the New York State Department of Health, recipients of CDPAP must be able and willing to make informed choices regarding the management of the services they receive, or have a legal guardian or designated relative or other adult able and willing to help make informed choices. The consumer or designee must also handle recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and terminating caregivers, and must arrange for back-up coverage when necessary, coordinate other services, and keep payroll records.

Role of CDPAANYS

CDPAANYS, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State, plays a pivotal role in providing support and information on CDPAP [1]. Located at 119 Washington Avenue Suite 3A, Albany, NY 12210, CDPAANYS offers supportive services to CDPAP providers and recipients in NY State, including advocacy, systems change, and the promotion of consumer control and self-determination [2].

In essence, CDPAANYS serves as a valuable resource for the CDPAP community by driving systemic change, advocating for rights and services, and promoting the principles of consumer control and self-determination. Understanding the roles of CDPAP and CDPAANYS is crucial for anyone navigating the complex terrain of elderly care in the United States.

Eligibility and Responsibilities

As part of understanding what CDPAANYS is, one must comprehend both the eligibility requirements for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and the responsibilities that come with being a recipient.

Consumer Requirements for CDPAP

To be eligible for CDPA, an individual must be capable of making choices regarding their activities of daily living, understand the impact of their choices, and assume responsibility for the results. Importantly, individuals should also be able to recruit, hire, train, supervise, and terminate personal assistants. Completing required paperwork is another core competency for participants [1].

As per the New York State Department of Health, recipients of CDPAP must also be able and willing to make informed choices regarding the management of the services they receive. This can include having a legal guardian or designated relative or other adult who is able and willing to help make informed choices.

The evaluation for CDPA eligibility is typically carried out by caseworkers and nurses from the consumer's plan in counties where managed care and managed long term care are mandatory. In counties where cases are authorized by the local department of social services, county caseworkers and nurses perform this assessment [1].

Duties of CDPA Recipients

Once an individual becomes a recipient of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPA), they assume employer responsibilities. This includes overseeing the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and termination of personal assistants. The consumer or designee must also handle the arrangement for back-up coverage when necessary, coordinate other services, and keep payroll records [3].

It is important to note that fiscal intermediaries do not evaluate initial or ongoing program eligibility for CDPA. Once an individual is approved for the program, the plan or county will refer the case to a fiscal intermediary (FI) who will then contact the individual [1].

By understanding the eligibility requirements and key responsibilities associated with CDPA, individuals can make informed decisions about whether this program aligns with their needs and capabilities. This is a key aspect of comprehending the role and significance of CDPAANYS in elderly care.

CDPAANYS Services and Advocacy

As part of its mission, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS) provides a range of services and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving the lives of CDPA providers and recipients in New York State.

Supportive Services Offered

A key aspect of CDPAANYS' work involves offering supportive services to both CDPA providers and recipients. According to CDPAANYS, these services focus on advocacy, systems change, and the promotion of consumer control and self-determination.

From a practical perspective, this involves helping providers navigate the complexities of the CDPA program, offering guidance on legal and regulatory matters, and supporting consumers in exercising their right to direct their own care. These services aim to ensure that all those involved in the CDPA program in New York State are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed.

Advocacy Initiatives

In addition to its service provision, CDPAANYS plays an active role in advocating for the rights and interests of CDPA providers and recipients. As stated by CDPAP.com, CDPAANYS has spearheaded various advancements such as due process protections, fair hearing trials, standard contract models for fiscal intermediaries, and other achievements for consumers and providers.

CDPAANYS' advocacy work extends to legislative action, with the organization maintaining a staffed office in Albany, the capital of New York State. Here, it works closely with the Legislature, New York State Department of Health, the Governor’s office, and other state agencies to advocate for consumer direction in New York. This legislative advocacy has led to significant victories for providers, consumers, personal assistants, and their families.

As of 2021, CDPAANYS' legislative agenda includes a focus on reimagining long-term care and community-based care services in New York. This includes advocating for increased reimbursements and wages for personal care workers, expanding Medicaid programs, and improving affordable housing options for residents in need of long-term care.

Through these services and advocacy initiatives, CDPAANYS continues to champion the rights of individuals in the CDPA program, promoting a model of care that prioritizes consumer control and self-determination.

CDPAANYS Membership and Events

Involvement in CDPAANYS offers an opportunity for individuals to join a collective effort towards making a difference in the lives of elderly and disabled individuals. This involvement comes in the form of membership and participation in events.

Becoming a CDPAANYS Member

CDPAANYS offers multiple membership options, catering to both CDPA providers and recipients in New York State. The memberships are designed to support the cause and vision of CDPAANYS, which is aimed at promoting consumer control and self-determination in the provision of assistance services.

The two primary types of memberships offered by CDPAANYS are:

1. CDPA Provider Membership: This membership is designed for CDPA providers. It offers an opportunity to be part of a community that is advocating for improvements in the provision of assistance services.
2. CDPAANYS Affiliate Membership: This membership is designed for individuals who are not CDPA providers but are interested in supporting the mission of CDPAANYS.

The CDPAANYS office is located at 119 Washington Avenue Suite 3A in Albany, NY 12210, where interested individuals can get more information about becoming a member.

Engaging in CDPAANYS Events

CDPAANYS regularly hosts events that provide opportunities for education, engagement, and networking among CDPA providers and recipients. One such event is the Annual Conference, which recently marked its 21st occurrence.

These events serve as a platform for CDPAANYS members and interested individuals to learn more about the latest developments, trends, and best practices in the provision of consumer-directed personal assistance. They also provide a chance for participants to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing advocacy efforts of CDPAANYS.

Through their active involvement in these events, CDPAANYS members can play a significant role in shaping the future of consumer-directed personal assistance services in New York State.

CDPAANYS History and Impact

Unraveling the history of CDPAANYS involves understanding its origins and exploring the significant strides it has made since its inception. This journey helps to shed light on the question of 'what is CDPAANYS?' and its impact in the realm of elderly care.

Origins of CDPAANYS

CDPAANYS, short for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State, started as a community grassroots movement in 1997. It was officially established in 2000 as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. The organization's primary dedication is towards protecting and enhancing resources for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in New York.

The mission of CDPAANYS is to support consumer-directed personal assistance providers and recipients across all counties in New York State. They achieve this through services such as advocacy, systems change, and the promotion of consumer control and self-determination.

Achievements and Milestones

Since its establishment, CDPAANYS has been at the forefront of numerous advancements in the field of elderly care. They have spearheaded various changes such as due process protections, fair hearing trials, and standard contract models for fiscal intermediaries. Their relentless advocacy has opened doors for consumer self-determination and consumer and personal assistant freedoms.

CDPAANYS has made a significant impact by advocating for system changes on a state-wide level. They maintain a staffed office in Albany, the capital of New York State, and work closely with the Legislature, New York State Department of Health, the Governor’s office, and other state agencies. This collaboration has led to significant victories for providers, consumers, personal assistants, and their families [4].

As of 2021, the legislative agenda of CDPAANYS includes reimagining long-term care and community-based care services in New York. They aim to shift the focus of long-term healthcare to communities, increase reimbursements and wages for personal care workers, expand Medicaid programs, and improve affordable housing options for residents in need of long-term care [5].

The history and achievements of CDPAANYS are a testament to their dedication to enhancing elderly care. Their commitment to advocacy, system changes, and the promotion of consumer control and self-determination continues to pave the way for advancements in this field.

CDPAANYS and Disability Rights

In the realm of disability rights, CDPAANYS (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State) plays a prominent role, upholding the principles of independence and self-direction. It's impossible to discuss the organization's influence without recognizing the contributions of disability rights pioneer, Judy Heumann. Her advocacy and pioneering work significantly shaped the disability rights movement and influenced the creation of CDPAANYS.

Judy Heumann's Influence

Judy Heumann, known as the "mother of the Disability Rights movement," played a crucial role in the formation and existence of CDPAANYS. Her advocacy for independent living and control over individual lives resonated with the goals and values of CDPAANYS, laying the groundwork for the organization.

Heumann's experiences at Camp Jened in upstate New York played a significant role in shaping her advocacy. The camp served as a catalyst, inspiring Heumann and her campmates to challenge societal barriers for individuals with disabilities. This led to the birth of the Independent Living movement, a response to societal push towards institutionalizing individuals with disabilities. The movement began in Berkeley, California, which soon became the epicenter of the Independent Living movement in the U.S.

Heumann's relentless advocacy later led to a significant moment in disability rights history — the occupation of a federal building in San Francisco to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This week-long sit-in, the longest peaceful occupation of a federal building in U.S. history, culminated in President Nixon signing the education legislation for people with disabilities into law.

Legacy of Disability Rights Movement

The Disability Rights Movement, influenced by Judy Heumann's advocacy, has left an indelible mark on society. Heumann's philosophy, one that emphasized the importance of collective efforts and continued advocacy for equality and accessibility, continues to inspire CDPAANYS and the broader disability rights movement.

Heumann's legacy serves as a reminder that the movement is group-centered and requires ongoing collective efforts. It's a testament to her belief that change is achievable, and her tireless work has contributed to the recognition of the Disability Rights movement globally.

The Disability Rights movement, under the influence of pioneers like Heumann, continues to strive for a society that values independence, inclusion, and equal rights for all. CDPAANYS, embodying these principles, continues to empower individuals with disabilities, echoing Heumann's conviction in its advocacy for disability rights.

References

[1]: https://cdpaanys.org/about-cdpa/

‍[2]: https://cdpaanys.org/

‍[3]: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/cdpap.htm

‍[4]: https://cdpaanys.org/mission-and-history/

‍[5]: https://cdpap.com/cdpaanys/

‍[6]: https://cdpaanys.org/news-updates/in-celebration-of-judith-judy-ellen-heumann/