CDR Clients: Claims Against Organization Inaccurate

By: Sheba Clarke, Rochester YNN

Combination video page of consumers refuting the allegations against CDR – Click here

It has been a battle for days and now clients with the Center for Disability Rights are speaking out against claims against the advocacy group.

The clients say they were part of the county’s investigation that led to its decision to cut ties with CDR.

The report completed by the Department of Human Services, according to several clients, has distorted and misused information.

It is a report that cited CDR negligent as a provider to the county’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). As a result, the county cut its ties.

But three out of four who say they are in the report believe it is inaccurate.

“I’m just here to clear up that no he has never been left alone. The county has lied and yes his nurses have always clocked in and clocked out,” said Rebeca Juarez.

Juarez is speaking of her 90-year-old grandfather. She said he is client number three in the report, that states he had aides showing up late on a regular basis and there were periods of time with no coverage.

But Juarez said the voice recognition system, required by her grandfather’s Spanish speaking aides to check in, only recognized English.

“The system won’t register them because they’re not native speakers in the English language,” added Juarez.

Stephen Kasper is said to be another client named in the report. According to the paperwork, client number two told investigators he often went without coverage at night because of aides calling in at the last minute.

“Automatically they assume I’m at risk, I’m not safe and I’m in danger,” said Kasper.

According to CDR, having these clients speak out is a way to clear misinformation about the organization.

“This program is a very large part of this agency. It would be a horrific loss to this agency, the community, and the county for us to not have this agency providing the program. For us it’s not a done deal yet,” said Chris Hilderbrandt, CDR chief operating officer.

According to County Executive Maggie Brooks it is. She said no matter what these clients claim, there s still plenty of evidence that finds CDR negligent out of the 12 cases investigated.

“In each of these cases we found documented evidence that CDR was not performing its contractual duties. There was neglect and there was Medicaid fraud. In fact, four people, individuals, were actually prosecuted and found guilty,” said Brooks. “We just can’t do business with a vendor like that.”

From the protest to the press conferences, Brooks calls it a publicity stunt. She said it is unfortunate to be getting in the way of client care.

“That’s disappointing because this is a group that claims to advocate for the rights of these individuals and they are the ones putting these clients at risk right now,” said Brooks. “Our relationship with CDR is concluded. Going forward our relationship is now with the clients, the aid and the new vendors.”

Brooks also stressed that clients don’t have to change aides, only providers as a result of this decision.

Hilderbrandt said it is not over and legal action is being considered.