Bernard Fineson DDSO Caregivers Rally to Protect Individuals with Disabilities

ALBANY, NY (10/18/2016)(readMedia)-- Dozens of professional caregivers represented by the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) will rally to raise public awareness to the closing of the Bernard Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office in March 2017.

The state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities has been moving individuals from Bernard Fineson DDSO to community-based settings, but the approximately 75 individuals left at the facility require a higher level of care than private homes are able to provide.

WHO:

Professional caregivers represented by PEF, including speakers: PEF President Wayne Spence, PEF Region 11 Coordinator Jemma Marie-Hanson, state Sen. Tony Avella (District 11 and Chair of the Children and Families Committee), and Halcyon Thomas, a family advocate.
WHAT:

A rally to raise public awareness to the closing of Bernard Fineson DDSO and the effects it will have on the community and families who have developmentally disabled members.
WHEN: Thursday October 20, 2016 at 12:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: 236-02 Hillside Avenue
Across from the Padavan-Preller Field
In front of the Bernard Fineson facility
Queens Village, New York
NOTES:

Bernard Fineson is the 20th state DDSO to shut down since 1987. Individuals may be transferred to one of the two remaining DDSOs in the state. One is located in Tupperville, 60 miles from the Canadian border, and the other is in Norwich, which is more than 30 miles northeast of Binghamton. The travel distance would be a major hardship for families.

PEF represents 54,000 professional, scientific and technical members in New York state including approximately 120 PEF members who work at Bernard Fineson DDSO. For more information contact Jane Briggs at 800-342-4306 ext. 277.