Assemblyman Steve Labriola announced, during the closing hours of the session on Aug. 5, passage of the New York state budget, which provided funding for the first phase of the governor's NY Cares program. "Passage of this funding assures people with developmental disabilities and their families that New York cares about them and their future," stated Labriola.

Labriola explained that NY Cares is a five-year comprehensive plan to virtually eliminate the waiting list for residential services for people with developmental disabilities in New York state. The plan, New York Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments & Services (NY Cares) will not only include placement opportunities for those who are currently on waiting lists, but also those who are expected to apply for residential placement in the future.

"This plan effectively eliminates the waiting list for a bed in a community home, and is sufficient to address the needs of those expected to join the waiting list over the next five years," said Labriola.

Over the next five years, NY Cares will:

* Add nearly 4,900 new beds;

* Add approximately 1,000 new day service opportunities; and

* Accommodate the needs of more than 8,100 people.

Labriola concluded, "I have always held a deep concern for our special population of the developmentally disabled and their families. Today marks New York state's commitment to continuing to make high quality residential services available to our most vulnerable population and their families."