Kathleen Boland is a passionate self-advocate and leader within the developmental disability community. Raised on Long Island, she draws inspiration from her supportive family, particularly her late father. She receives residential support through Community Mainstreaming Associates and Day Services via Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County. As the former President of her agency's Self Advocacy Committee, Kathleen has been a strong voice in advocating for better pay for direct support professionals.
Karleen Haines is a seasoned nonprofit executive with 25 years in the human services field, currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Community Mainstreaming Associates. Her previous roles include Chief of Advocacy and Member Engagement at Partners Health Plan and Care Design New York. She is an influential figure in policy, being part of the New York State Developmental Disability Advisory Council Systems Subcommittee and the Institute for Exceptional Care's National IDD Advocacy Corp.
Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise dives deep into the critical issues surrounding Medicaid, government funding, and advocacy in developmental disability services. Joined by Kathleen Boland and Karleen Haines, the conversation highlights how legislative decisions impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and the workforce supporting them. The dialogue underscores that funding is more than just numbers; it's about providing opportunities, stability, and dignity to countless individuals.
Throughout the discussion, Kathleen and Karleen emphasize the importance of sustained investment and its direct correlation to the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Keywords such as "Medicaid funding," "disability advocacy," and "direct support professionals" punctuate the episode, weaving through narratives of personal experience and professional insight. They touch on pivotal topics like workforce shortages, the significance of voting, and the necessity of community-level advocacy, urging listeners to understand the profound effects of policy decisions.
Key Takeaways:
Notable Quotes:
Resources:
Community Mainstreaming Associates Inc
Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County
Institute for Exceptional Care
To dive deeper into the issues discussed and their solutions, listen to the full episode of DSP Talk. Keep following us for more insightful conversations and stay engaged with developments in developmental disability services.
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