Last month, Walsh, Miller, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro were successful in encouraging the governor to allow family visitation in group homes.

On Monday, July 13, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R-C-I- Ballston) was scheduled to hold a Zoom press conference with Assembly Minority colleagues to push for the next phase, to allow residents in group homes the opportunity to further return some sense of normalcy in their lives.

"These families and their loved ones in group homes deserve the opportunity to spend overnights together, attend community outings and take rides to places other than the doctors. It is unacceptable to keep individuals cooped up in their homes all day for months on end,” said Walsh. “I have heard countless of heartbreaking stories firsthand of what these parents, siblings and family members and their loved ones are going through.

“Last month, we successfully fought for family visitation in group homes. While this was a great first step, it was simply not enough. These residents and their families deserve much more. I was thrilled to learn that OPWDD has just announced that home visits and community outings for group home residents, as well as day habilitation programs, may resume.”

“I will always continue to advocate for the differently-abled community and their families. Kudos to the determined parents and families, as well as the New York Alliance for Developmental Disabilities (NYADD) for getting this done!”