CDR Protests End of County Contract

Rochester YNN
By: Scott Fairbanks

The Center for Disability Rights took its complaint about a terminated county contract to Monroe County headquarters Monday.

Last week, the county terminated a contract with CDR to run a program overseeing nurses and aides to about 300 people with disabilities.

Cited for negligence in a dozen cases, CDR said its role was more paperwork and payroll, not nursing services.

Protesting the end of the contract, members of CDR and those using its services marched to the County Office Building to camp out until county officials meet with them.

“I think the anger people have with the county about this decision is really obvious. People have been portrayed as neglected and wildly disabled and unable to take care of themselves are actually here tonight. They’ve marched over here from the library and are planning on staying until Maggie Brooks meets with them and restores their services,” said Chris Hilderbrant, Center for Disability Rights.

It could be a long wait, though. County Spokesman Noah Lebowitz told YNN Monday:

“The County Executive had no choice but to remove CDR as a vendor after an investigation uncovered widespread lapses in client care and safety under their watch. This decision is final and nonnegotiable, making any meeting with CDR unnecessary. The County Executive’s primary concern is ensuring a smooth transition of interrupted services for clients in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. Any dialogue regarding this program will be between the County and clients as we facilitate their transition. CDR has no role in this conversation.”