Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today announced that the Assembly's Budget Proposal would restore $120 million in critical funding to the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for services provided by nonprofit organizations that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

Thiele stated, "I have had many meetings with families in the 1st Assembly District who have expressed their concerns with the Executive Budget proposal to cut these nonprofit organizations by 6%. We must ensure that we protect the most vulnerable among us. These proposed cuts to programs that help individuals with disabilities would result in severe hardship and diminished services that would make it even more difficult for families and caregivers to obtain quality care for their loved ones. Through the restorations, we will ensure that New Yorkers with disabilities continue to receive the essential services they need. These cuts would have a catastrophic effect. We have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us, and I am proud that we are living up to that responsibility."

The programs and services provided through non-profits under the auspices of OPWDD help improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. These programs help to develop home, personal, behavioral, recreational and social skills to ensure greater independence in their day to day lives.