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Recent News

From the Executive Director - Winter 2012

Executive Director Message – Winter  2012

 

The ucpn faces challenges that exist in the world today with the same zest and attention that we have embraced for the past 64 years.  We believe in our mission of serving children and adults with disabilities in a manner that is respectful and inclusive.

 

Due to significant withdrawal of financial support that the state has embarked on for the last several years we have looked for alternative means to support important work done through the organization.

 

Ways ucpn is Working on Alternative Funding Sources

 

Some examples of these efforts include our continued work in Planned Giving which has netted the agency over $13 million from wills, bequests and annuities that will be realized in the future. To date, over $1 million has been received and our goal of $20 million in our endowment is well within our grasp.  We will establish an even greater long-term financial security through this process to insure that the children and younger people we serve now will have a viable, responsible organization to turn to when they reach their older years. 

 

Efforts to generate alternative financial support also include growth in our For-Profit Business, Rehab Solutions.  Our internet sales have seen steady, continued growth through 2011 that we envision continuing throughout 2012.  The durable medical equipment side of the business has seen tremendous growth in the last five months of 2011 and that is expected to continue in 2012.

 

The two sections of this for-profit business may well be the economic engine that will enable us to withstand the current reduction of financial reimbursement as well as future challenges.

 

We are also excited about our most recent involvement with ReWalk, the exoskeleton device that enables individuals here-to-fore confined to a wheelchair, to stand and to walk.  We are delighted to report that we have raised over $200K to help underwrite our clinic’s capacity to have an aggressive therapeutic intervention for this initiative.

 

Being the only site in the tri-state area that has the capacity to provide this therapeutic intervention, we are optimistic that we will attract a wider array of individuals to come to ucpn’s site to meet their needs.

 

ReWalk offers physical and psychological advantages that will enable an individual to experience better health and allow the State and Insurance companies to have significant reductions in expenditures.

 

Currently the ReWalk has FDA approval for institutional use only but we are hopeful that the FDA will approve the ReWalk in the near future for personal use allowing for individuals to enjoy the benefits at home, on the job or in their community.  If you would like to learn more about the ReWalk go to www.ucpn.org or call Ellen Naidus at 516-378-2000 ext 285.

 

Concerns about NYS Partnership and New Government Initiatives

 

We are very excited and pleased about some of our initiatives yet we are very concerned about the direction that NYS is taking with regard to the structure of our business relationships.

 

NYS is working with the Federal Government creating a 1115 Waiver that will bring managed care (with capitation) to our current system.  Pilot projects are expected to begin in April 2012 and yet basic questions regarding the development of the infrastructure to support such a venture remain unanswered.  The State has gone on record that they do not believe the current system is financially sustainable and that is their solution.  Over the past 40 years, NYS has partnered very successfully with not-for-profit agencies like ours to create responsive and responsible programs and services.

Executive Director Message – Winter  2012

 

The ucpn faces challenges that exist in the world today with the same zest and attention that we have embraced for the past 64 years.  We believe in our mission of serving children and adults with disabilities in a manner that is respectful and inclusive.

 

Due to significant withdrawal of financial support that the state has embarked on for the last several years we have looked for alternative means to support important work done through the organization.

 

Ways ucpn is Working on Alternative Funding Sources

 

Some examples of these efforts include our continued work in Planned Giving which has netted the agency over $13 million from wills, bequests and annuities that will be realized in the future. To date, over $1 million has been received and our goal of $20 million in our endowment is well within our grasp.  We will establish an even greater long-term financial security through this process to insure that the children and younger people we serve now will have a viable, responsible organization to turn to when they reach their older years. 

 

Efforts to generate alternative financial support also include growth in our For-Profit Business, Rehab Solutions.  Our internet sales have seen steady, continued growth through 2011 that we envision continuing throughout 2012.  The durable medical equipment side of the business has seen tremendous growth in the last five months of 2011 and that is expected to continue in 2012.

 

The two sections of this for-profit business may well be the economic engine that will enable us to withstand the current reduction of financial reimbursement as well as future challenges.

 

We are also excited about our most recent involvement with ReWalk, the exoskeleton device that enables individuals here-to-fore confined to a wheelchair, to stand and to walk.  We are delighted to report that we have raised over $200K to help underwrite our clinic’s capacity to have an aggressive therapeutic intervention for this initiative.

 

Being the only site in the tri-state area that has the capacity to provide this therapeutic intervention, we are optimistic that we will attract a wider array of individuals to come to ucpn’s site to meet their needs.

 

ReWalk offers physical and psychological advantages that will enable an individual to experience better health and allow the State and Insurance companies to have significant reductions in expenditures.

 

Currently the ReWalk has FDA approval for institutional use only but we are hopeful that the FDA will approve the ReWalk in the near future for personal use allowing for individuals to enjoy the benefits at home, on the job or in their community.  If you would like to learn more about the ReWalk go to www.ucpn.org or call Ellen Naidus at 516-378-2000 ext 285.

 

Concerns about NYS Partnership and New Government Initiatives

 

We are very excited and pleased about some of our initiatives yet we are very concerned about the direction that NYS is taking with regard to the structure of our business relationships.

 

NYS is working with the Federal Government creating a 1115 Waiver that will bring managed care (with capitation) to our current system.  Pilot projects are expected to begin in April 2012 and yet basic questions regarding the development of the infrastructure to support such a venture remain unanswered.  The State has gone on record that they do not believe the current system is financially sustainable and that is their solution.  Over the past 40 years, NYS has partnered very successfully with not-for-profit agencies like ours to create responsive and responsible programs and services.

 

Many staff, families and participants have expressed concern and fear that this mutually beneficial partnership with the state is changing drastically, and not for the better.  I share these concerns and can only hope that as this unfolds the State remains sensitive and responsible to its most vulnerable citizens.

 

Thank you for your interest in our agency’s happenings.  Should you have any questions please call me at 516-377-2030.