Hi, my name is Sheila Middlebrook and I am the Assistant Director of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) program at the Center for Disability Rights. I want to share some exciting information about a new regulation from the New York State Department of Health regarding the CDPAS program!

Effective April 1st, parents of children 21 years and older, who utilize CDPAS services can become their child’s attendant. More specifically, this means that parents whose adult “child” receives consumer directed services, are now able to be paid for providing personal care services. It’s important to note, that spouses and Designated Representatives of a disabled person using CDPAS services are still not able to become paid attendants for that individual.

As with all attendants working for a disabled person utilizing the CDPAS program, parents looking to become an attendant would need to be screened, hired, and trained by the participant (or a Designated Representative) running their CDPAS program. The same expectations would apply as any other attendant employed by a participant of the program, and would be expected to uphold all of the responsibilities associated with being an attendant within CDR’s CDPAS program.

CDR is excited about this new regulation, and anticipates that many individuals with disabilities within the CDPAS program will be able to further ensure their health, safety and personal care is being provided to them by people they trust and are comfortable with. Additionally, this new regulation will further support and allow people with disabilities to remain in the community as opposed to being placed in facilities.

All participants utilizing CDR’s CDPAS program work 1 on 1 with a Supervisor Support Specialist. Support Specialists are employed by CDR and are prepared to offer support for any challenges that may arise within the CDPAS program. The unique employer/employee relationship in the CDPAS program, as a result of participants being fully in control of his or her services, on its own can be tricky and challenging at first! For many, employing family members could be a challenge as well. We encourage any participants in the program (or Designated Representative) to reach out to their Support Specialist for questions or concerns that they may have at any time!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to CDR at (585) 546-7510 for more information on how this new regulation may affect you and your services. Additionally you may also chose to contact the Division of Long Term Care at (518) 474-5888. They will also be able to answer questions or concerns you may have regarding this new regulation.

Contact Sheila Middlebrook