Message from Executive Director

Members, Friends, and Collaborators of CIDA,

First of all, with the coronavirus still affecting our health and livelihoods, we start this message with a prayerful heart that everyone is safe and well. Although all situations are complex and difficult, CIDA continues to work towards our vision for more than 500 families to help our children with disabilities. To get closer to our vision, we delivered a summary of the CIDA membership by email last week. As stated in the announcement, all youth, young adults with disabilities and guardians who have previously received services or participated in parent events are automatically recognized as members. As a free program, there are no membership-related fees. Fundraising activities by our board of directors and staff will continue to support our current programs and services for the CIDA members. Through the CIDA membership, our staff and board of directors expect all families to voluntarily participate in program development and activities with a sense of ownership.

In addition, an Advisory Committee consisting of Asian-American youth and young adults with disabilities will be launched this month. CIDA’s Youth and Young Adult Advisory Committee activities have started with the aim of increasing leadership opportunities for young people with disabilities. We would greatly appreciate it if members would support the committee’s activities.

We’ll see you soon at the online events in October! Be safe and well!

Thank you.

Young Seh Bae, Executive Director

Policy News

NYS Withholds 20% Due to Massive Budget Crisis
Source: https://grassicpas.com/

Due to COVID-19 losses, non-profit organizations, school districts, and others who receive state funds will be facing further impacts with the state’s budget deficit. On August 21st, New York State announced that 20% of state-funded service payments will be withheld. This mandate includes the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and other similar state agencies, who will begin to withhold 20% of payments for non-Medicaid local assistance programs. For example, those people with developmental disabilities who receive expense reimbursement through Self-Direction, will only be able to receive 80% of the reimbursement on state funded items. CIDA encourages individuals with disabilities and their families to contact their care-managers to learn about the specific changes in their programs and funding support from the state.

With ‘excitement and apprehension,’ NYC reopens buildings for students with complex disabilities
Source: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/

With thousands of students who have complex disabilities, as well as pre-K students of all abilities, beginning their return to school buildings, a major milestone has been met in reopening the country’s biggest school system. This is a significant moment with remote learning being especially challenging for many students with disabilities. Roughly 43% of students have opted to stay at home from District 75 schools, in which many are alternating between one week on and one week off. CIDA will keep you informed of news and trends related to COVID-19 in New York City and other New York State schools time to time through our website and emails.

What’s Up at CIDA

Mask Distribution

On September 5th, CIDA held a second mask distribution event for low-income families with disabilities. Thanks to Korean American Community Foundation (KACF), St. Francis Hospital, and our CIDA Board members, we were able to provide masks and hand sanitizers to help prevent the spread of infection amongst families of members with disabilities who are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. On this day, Korean students from several universities in the New York area volunteered to help distribute around 5,000 masks and hand sanitizers in a drive-through format. We would like to thank those volunteers for all their amazing work!

CIDA Membership

As CIDA continues to grow with each day that passes, we would like to introduce our CIDA Membership program. Anyone who participates in CIDA workshops and programs are automatically qualified to become a CIDA Member. There are no fees for any levels of membership. To read more on membership levels, member benefits, & more in-depth information on maintaining/opting out on CIDA Membership: Click Here

KACF Honorary Community Award and FY 2021 Grant

CIDA is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded with KACF’s funding support for FY 2021. With this we will continue our AGES program which supports adults with disabilities and their families in enhancing quality of life, inclusion, and economic opportunities. CIDA also received an Honorary Community Award during the KACF’s Above & Beyond Gala 2020 for our work with families affected by disabilities. The AGES program has been assisting Korean-American adults with disabilities since 2017 with various service resources, parent empowerment training, and support services.

Events

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, all events are now online. Please check our event calendar for event details and registration information.

– IEP Boot-Camp Workshop (for Korean parents who are new to the topic): October 13 at 8pm

– Housing Discussion & Support Group (Korean Adults with Disabilities and Their Parents): October 29 at 8pm

– Housing Lottery Seminar (Mandarin): October 26 at 8pm

– Individualized Education Program (IEP) Basics (Mandarin): October 28 at 8pm

– Youth & Young Adult Advisory Group Meeting (Invitation only): TBA