Committees

QA

The goal of the committee is to network with other agencies and to share information to help improve quality throughout the region. This committee focuses on measuring, monitoring, and improving the quality of care provided, and development of quality systems. Issues examined include customer satisfaction, individual rights, individual choices, standardization, outcome management, continuous quality improvement process, benchmarking and regulations.

Financial Management

Committee Mission: Lead data driven advocacy and NYS policy suggestions on behalf of DDAWNY providers in relation to financial impacts.

Facilities

The Facilities Committee fosters collaboration, shares best practices, and tackles key challenges in facility management.

Compliance

The Corporate Compliance Committee goal is to increase awareness and knowledge in the area of compliance by sharing useful tools, guidance documents, and information among agencies. We also bring experts in the field to provide education to the committee members on various compliance subjects, i.e., HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule, OMIG, etc.

Rehabilitation Services Committee

Draft Mission Statement: To lead, support, and strengthen rehabilitative services for people diagnosed with I/DD across WNY and the surrounding areas. Our committee fosters collaboration, ethical practice, and innovation to improve access, quality, and continuity of care. Draft Vision Statement: To build a unified, responsive rehab network that leads the region in advancing person-centered care for people diagnosed with I/DD through best practices, sustainable funding, smooth life transitions, and a shared commitment to wellness and inclusion across the lifespan.

Nursing

The purpose of the DDAWNY Nursing Committee is to provide a forum to share best practices, survey trends, health information and trade information. The group of nurses collaborates to develop policies and practices to support individuals in their best possible health.

Behavior Support 

Through the sharing of creative, theoretical, and technical ideas, this committee is devoted to enhancing the quality of behavioral support services available for individuals with developmental disabilities. The committee is also concerned with providing insight into issues related to regulation and policy, adapting to the changing system, and the philosophy of support.

Transition

This committee plays an integral role with 14-21 year old students with developmental disabilities who are preparing to leave mandated educational services.

Pre-K Inclusion

Education

The mission of this committee is to address the needs of children and young adults, birth through twenty-one, with regard to education and therapeutic support.

Family Committee Representatives

The mission of the DDAWNY Family Committee is to educate and inform people about the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and ensure quality homes and services are available in a managed care environment.

Government Affairs

The Government Affairs Committee reviews the impact of state and federal legislation, regulation and executive action on our field, and carries out advocacy initiatives to improve public policy. Monthly meetings also offer DDAWNY members an opportunity to speak with our lobbyist about issues of concern.

Employment

Collaboration and collective advocacy around all topics related to persons supported in employment and vocational programs, including but not limited to Supported Employment, Pathways to Employment, Site and Community Based Prevocational Services.

Day Habilitation

The goal of the committee is to enhance day services by focusing on best practices and trends. Committee members have a platform to discuss regulatory information, policies, advocacy, supports and services- including transportation. In addition, committee members have the opportunity to network with other providers, engage in meaningful conversations and learn from one another.

Individual (Self Advocate) Representative

Marketing & Communications

The purpose of the DDAWNY Marketing and Communications Committee is to provide networking opportunities for the communications/public relations/marketing staff of DDAWNY member organizations and to provide support to DDAWNY Committees when requested. We also provide professional development opportunities and expertise to the DDAWNY community.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day

Rehabilitation Services Committee

Draft Mission Statement: To lead, support, and strengthen rehabilitative services for people diagnosed with I/DD across WNY and the surrounding areas. Our committee fosters collaboration, ethical practice, and innovation to improve access, quality, and continuity of care. Draft Vision Statement: To build a unified, responsive rehab network that leads the region in advancing person-centered care for people diagnosed with I/DD through best practices, sustainable funding, smooth life transitions, and a shared commitment to wellness and inclusion across the lifespan.

Self-Directed Services

The Self-Directed Services Committee is comprised of Region 1 agencies that provide Self Direction Services (Fiscal Intermediary and/or Agency Support Brokering Services). We are collaborating to improve quality, consistency, and advocacy surrounding Self Direction. We work to identify actions that can help improve services for those we support, advocates, providers, and those we employ.

Residential

The DDAWNY Residential Subcommittee convenes monthly to share current information impacting residential providers. Topics typically covered include COVID, staffing, surveys, training, and anything that applies to residential services.

Housing

The DDAWNY Housing Committee is focused on ensuring providers continue to learn and share resources about housing. DDAWNY Housing will ensure regional advocacy efforts are maintained and that efforts remain focused on increasing access to affordable housing supports within our respected communities. DDAWNY Housing Committee will engage the perspectives of its committee members, other professional stakeholders and other housing professionals to ensure the shared knowledge and resources are equitable and practical to the advancement of housing supports.

Comm Hab / Respite

The Respite Committee has merged with the Community Habilitation Committee! Together the focus is to give an opportunity for providers of Community Habilitation to network among peers of various DDAWNY agencies.

Training

For over 40 years the Western New York Training Consortium has presented seminars and conferences, both large and small, shared staff training resources, been a conduit for communication and advocacy with OPWDD, and a source of camaraderie for leaders of staff training programs. You are welcome to join us at 9:00 on the third Friday of each month virtually, or in-person quarterly.

Human Resources

The DDAWNY Human Resources Committee is made up of Human Resources professionals from all DDAWNY agencies whose primary job is to oversee the Human Resources function at their respective agencies.