News from New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities

For more information contact: Nicole Weinstein, 518-474-6601

OMRDD launches 'Keep Warm NY' Initiative in collaboration with Governor Paterson's Home Heating Campaign

ALBANY, NY (10/10/2008; 1328)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is launching its “Keep Warm NY” initiative, designed to provide people with disabilities and their families, as well as agency employees, with low-cost tips for keeping heating costs low this winter, OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter announced today.

“As Governor David A. Paterson said earlier today, heating costs this winter could potentially hurt the most vulnerable people in our state, making it unsafe for them to live,” said Ritter. “We at OMRDD want to help ease the burden of home heating costs this season for all New York State citizens, an effort that goes hand in hand with our mission to help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives, while at the same time assisting our employees as they struggle with heating costs as well.”

The OMRDD “Keep Warm NY” initiative provides people with tips on how to reduce energy costs, how to locate assistance, and how to apply for benefits. In addition, it supplies helpful online resources for additional information. OMRDD worked in collaboration with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to create this Fact Sheet.

Governor Paterson also has established a green initiative as one of the hallmarks of his administration. OMRDD has formed a Green Initiative Workgroup, with the intention of making the agency the “greenest” agency in New York. OMRDD also has prepared an “It IS Easy Being Green” Fact Sheet that explains agency initiatives to date.

“By being good stewards of the environment and moving to reduce or eliminate our reliance on non-renewable energy resources, we can improve the quality of lives for all New Yorkers,” Ritter said. “We can also reduce the long-term energy costs to state taxpayers who finance the operation of state-owned facilities and residences.”

For more information and copies of the Fact Sheets, go to the OMRDD Web site: www.omr.state.ny.us.

About OMRDD

The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) provides high-quality services, supports and advocacy to approximately 120,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. OMRDD works with a network of nearly 800 not-for-profit providers to help people with developmental disabilities lead richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and productivity and homes in their communities.

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