Blog

NYSID will continue working alongside our Member Agencies and Corporate Partners, customers,

A policy brief by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, prepared for NYSID and the NY Alliance for Innovation & Inclusion, discusses the role the social safety net and the benefits cliff plays in the employment decisions of people with disabilities. 

People with disabilities face substantial barriers to employment and limitations in both the jobs they can take and the hours that they can work. 

One barrier to employment is benefits eligibility rules.

The report highlights the sometimes complicated intersection of different benefits and employment choices. It also includes a discussion of three theoretical examples of the tradeoffs an individual with disabilities may make when deciding whether to be employed and how many hours to work.

Click here to access the report.

On behalf of the individuals who bring NYSID contracts to life, we are happy to announce staff promotions and additions in three key areas of our business.

SALES

Meredith Hartman has been named Executive Vice President, Sales. “I am grateful for Meredith’s commitment to NYSID and excited for the energy that she will bring to the Sales team,” said President & CEO Maureen O’Brien. Meredith celebrated 20 years of service to NYSID in June 2023, and was formerly Senior Manager, Sales before becoming a member of the Executive Team as VP, Contract Administration in 2019. During this time, she led the realignment of the Contracts Department and positively rebuilt NYSID’s relationship with the NYS Office of General Services. Bob Braun and Morgan Houle will move with Meredith to Sales.

Joe Messina has begun a transition process to retirement, remaining on board over the next 12-18 mon

Defining a NYSID Champion is easy when the individual or organization is passionately committed to influencing NYSID’s impact on a more inclusive New York for individuals of all abilities. Kevin Crosley, President & CEO at Arc Herkimer, is that visionary colleague.

Kevin has served on the Board of Directors for 15 years in the capacity of Member, Vice President, President and Past President. Most importantly, Kevin led a change charge to advance NYSID’s core business and create employment opportunities.

It is fitting that Kevin was named the 2023 NYSID Champion at the Annual Meeting on October 18, where he was feted with an award video and proclamation recognizing his outstanding and resolute service to NYSID and New Yorkers with disabilities. 

Recognizing that community creates growth, Kevin thanked the entire audience for its diverse contributions to employment for those we serve. “You are the reason this program exists,” he said. “Whatever your role, wha

NYSID’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation illustrated how employment positively impacts the lives of individuals with disabilities.

More than 4,700 individuals worked on NYSID contracts throughout Fiscal Year ’23, including 350 new job opportunities.

NYSID also hired Dylan, pictured with NYSID President & CEO Maureen O’Brien, who first came on board through an internship with the Arc Lexington’s Transitions program. Dylan is among the many individuals whose lives have been improved by competitive integrated employment.

We are grateful to our Member Agencies, Corporate Partners, customers, supporters, and strategic partners for showcasing what is possible when "Transforming For Tomorrow” and beyond.
 
 Click to enjoy videos highlighting the

Congratulations to the 50 nominees from Member Agencies and Corporate Partners for 2023.

From this talented pool of NYSID workers, two individuals were selected to be honored at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 18:

• Logan Nye, a production employee at The Arc Allegany-Steuben, pictured above. Click to watch Logan's video.
• Elisabeth Yong, an office

In the 20th year of celebrating outstanding performance on NYSID contracts, sincere congratulations are extended to the 50 nominees from Member Agencies and Corporate Partners. 

2023 Nominees.pdf

We are proud to have reached the milestone of more than 1,000 individuals recognized since 2004.

Two individuals from the Class of 2023 have been selected to be honored at NYSID's Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation on Wednesday, October 18 in Schenectady:

• Logan Nye, a production employee at the Arc Allegany-Steuben's Stitched Ink apparel business
• Elisabeth Yong, an office temporary who has recently achieved a permanent community job thanks to training and employment through Goodtemps, a division of Goodwill Industries of Greater NY/Northern NJ

Recognition certificates and financial awards will be mailed in time for the upcoming National Disability

Congratulations to the latest Member Agencies who are improving work opportunities for individuals with help from a NYSID Matching Grant.

The Arc Ontario in Canandaigua garnered a $25,000 matching grant to upgrade its existing bottling production area into the rebranded FLX Premier Bottling. The bottling operation has included NYSID hygiene products for more than 25 years. 

The investment will also help Arc Ontario meet NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) regulations for competitive integrated employment. 

Click here to see media highlights on the Arc's new facility: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_STG_RAatkw

https://13wham.com/news/local/arc-of-ontario-receives-grant-to-support-jobs-at-bottling-operation?fbclid=IwAR28QdvACfcv8kpREFs3noZ-lZXSyNRs7rWB5nLi80BSML79rd_DTPshY9s

“Innovation is any change big or small that makes a difference.” 

And what a difference this year's CREATE program students made, from helping individuals gain more confidence in their employability to enabling them to be more productive and safer working at NYSID Member Agencies.

Our annual CREATE Symposium showcases technologies that today’s young minds designed to allow individuals with disabilities to be more successful at work.

The five colleges and six Member Angencies involved joined NYS legislators, NYSID's team, disability provider organizations, and others at the CREATE Symposium on Monday, April 26.

The winners of the ninth annual CREATE Symposium were:

1st place: Automated Ream Opener, University at Albany, SUNY/Center for Disability Services

2nd place: Intelligent Glue

More than 50 years ago, the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island was exposed for its horrific treatment of thousands of residents with various disabilities.

“The Path Forward: Remembering Willowbrook” is a new documentary produced by the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, in partnership with OGS Media Services, to remind the world of the importance of inclusion in all aspects of community life.

NYSID was pleased to sponsor the Albany screening of "The Path Forward" on March 23, attended by staff from disability service provider agencies, advocates, family members, and other concerned citizens.

An event highlight was the panel discussion, including a former Willowbrook resident and staff member. One member of the panel stated, "What we've achieved doesn't mean we stop and slow down. We need to continue to build on those accomplishments."   

Click her