Video Description: Approximately 22 million Veterans reside in the United States today. Around 850,000 Veterans live in New York State alone. More than two-thirds of the Veterans residing in New York State have reached the age of 65 or above. Learning whether an individual served in the Armed Forces can prove to be a crucial component of providing the highest-quality services to help that Veteran maintain his or her independent living ability. Status as a Veteran can open the door to a tremendous realm of benefits, programs, and services that can assist the Veteran financially, improve the Veteran’s physical and mental well-being, and help the Veteran in arenas ranging from healthcare to housing. This webinar provides a basic but vital toolkit for independent living professionals interacting with Veterans and their families. It provides key information about eligibility for multiple benefits, programs, and services that assist Veterans and their family members, and informs participants about resources available to “cut through the red tape” and advocate for Veterans and their family members in these areas. Even more importantly, this course provides essential information about interacting properly with Veterans, helping participants gain a heightened understanding of challenges and experiences unique to Veterans and their families and establishing a greater level of cultural competency when working with these individuals.

Date: 07/25/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented byBenjamin P. Pomerance, Esq., Deputy Director for Program Development for the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

Presentation Slides:

Services for Veterans in New York State (PDF)
NYS Division of Veterans Affairs Directory (Doc)
NYS Veterans Laws Briefing Book July 2016 (PDF)

Webinar Recording:

Video Description:

The purpose of this webinar is to:

• Familiarize advocates with the current 17-A Guardianship process
• Educate advocates on how S.4983 will change the 17-A process

The current 17-A Guardianship process violates rights of people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries to due process and equal protection under the law. New York State's Olmstead report identified many of these rights violations. In response to this Report the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities has submitted a department bill (S.4983) to address these failures. The New York Association on Independent Living has asked Disability Rights New York, the Protection and Advocacy System for New York State, to educate our community on the 17-A Guardianship Statute in New York, to break down Senate Bill S.4983 and describe how this bill is designed to protect the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities.

Date: 04/06/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Jennifer Monthie, Esq., Director PADD, PAAT and PATBI Programs at Disability Rights New York.

Presentation Slides: Training on 17-A Guardianship Process (PDF)

Webinar Recording:

Video Description: The purpose of this webinar is to review various aspects of working with individuals who experience mental illness. We will review basic information about mental health conditions, why the Independent Living Philosophy is a perfect fit for working with this population, possible service options (waivers, MLTC, Mental Health Service System, Health Homes, Case management), as well as possible community resources.

Date: 04/28/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Laurie Carter of the MFP Transition Center Project.

Presentation Slides: Working with Individuals who Experience Mental Health Issues (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Working with Individuals who Experience Mental Health Issues Webinar 2016-04-28