How About A Year End Donation?

It’s never fun to ask for money, but with 2016 almost over, you might actually be thinking about making a year-end donation or two to organizations and causes you care about. So, this is just a quick, friendly reminder that you can donate to the North Country Center for Independence.

Donations to NCCI are tax deductible, and individual donations are extra helpful because those funds are generally more flexible than the money we get from government and foundation grants. That means we can use donated funds to make our offices and programs more welcoming, and helps us respond to unexpected needs and opportunities.

You don’t have to donate a lot to be of help. You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring contribution. It’s easy. Just click the link here to our Donation Page, where you can donate online.

Thank you, and have a Happy New Year!

About Action Alerts

Every so often, NCCI sends out an Action Alert ... here on this blog, on Facebook and Twitter, and by email.

Action Alerts are announcements of very specific steps we would like you to take to help us achieve some kind of needed change in disability-related policy.

For example:

• Restore or increase funding for a disability-related program, like independent living centers or home care.
• Change rules for a disability program to make services better or easier to get, like making it easier for people with disabilities to hire their own personal assistants.
• Oppose changes in disability policy that would make it harder to get services, maintain equal access, or secure basic civil rights.

Most Action Alerts are about issues happening in New York State. These usually come from the New York Association on Independent Living, a state-wide organization that NCCI is a member of, that coordinates disability issue advocacy among the Independent Living Centers in New York State.

Other Action Alerts may deal with national issues, through national disability organizations like the National Council on Independent Living. And, once in awhile, we will send out an Action Alert about an important disability issue here in the North Country.

Action Alerts usually include:

1. A brief summary of what we want to happen or not to happen.
2. Background information on the issue, how it has evolved, and what the stakes are for people with disabilities.
3. Quick, simple ways that you can make your opinion known to the people responsible for the issue.

Please do take the time to read through Action Alerts when you see them, and respond in the best ways you can. Disability issues are often complex. Policy-makers and elected officials don't always know what works well for people with disabilities and what doesn't. It's always important for citizens to give feedback on important policy matters, but it's even more important for people with disabilities to stay actively involved in issues that are specifically about disability.

Who knows better than people with disabilities what disability policies and programs should look like?

Of course, if you have any questions about Action Alerts, just give us a call or leave a comment. We are happy to discuss any of these issues with you.

Telephone Extensions

NCCI has a new phone system!

When you call, you will now hear recorded messages that will lead you to specific staff member and program extensions, or to voicemail boxes to leave messages. One of the goals of the new system is to make NCCI's offices quieter by eliminating loud phone ringing. It is also designed to make sure you reach exactly the person or program you need or are looking for.

The new recorded messages will direct you and are pretty easy to understand. However, if you would rather prepare in advance, skip the menu, and dial the extension you need as soon as your call starts, here is a list of all the extensions and voicemail boxes, for staff and specific programs:

Reception - Ext. 0

Leave a General Message - Ext. 4

Staff Directory - Ext. 5

Staff Extensions

Ext. 100 - Pam Moser: Office / Ombudsman Assistant
Ext. 101 - Robert Poulin: Executive Director
Ext. 102 - Deb Piper: Assistant Director
Ext. 103 - Michael Sherman: Peer Counselor Coordinator / Independent Living Specialist
Ext. 104 - Amy Gehrig: Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Coordinator
Ext. 105 - Megan Lewis: NY Connects Specialist
Ext. 106 - Tina Recore: Finance Director
Ext. 107 - Elizabeth Davies: MFP Transition Specialist
Ext. 108 - John Farley: Accessibility Consultant
Ext. 109 - Cindy Bryan: Facilitated Enroller
Ext. 110 - Norman Karp: Benefits Specialist
Ext. 111 - Lynden Davies: CDPAP Coordinator
Ext. 112 - Jenna McPherson: CDPAP Assistant
Ext. 115 - Shelly Kozak: CDPAP PA Enroller
Ext. 116 - Patti Killeen: Assistant Ombudsman
Ext. 117 - Christina Walton: Olmstead Housing Subsidy Housing Specialist

Extensions for Programs & Services

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) - Ext. 201

- Existing consumer- Ext. 111
- Become consumer- Ext. 111
- Be on aide list- Ext. 115
- Timesheet / payroll issue- Ext. 112
- Enrolling new P.A.- Ext. 115

Long Term Care Ombudsman - 518-562-1732

Medicaid Enrollment Assistance - Ext. 109

New York Connects - Ext. 105

Peer Counseling or Advocacy - Ext. 103

Ramps and Home Modifications - Ext. 108

Rides to Medical Appointments - Ext. 103

Social Security, Medicare, and Other Benefits - Ext. 110

Transitioning from Nursing Home to Community - Ext. 107

Housing Assistance - Ext. 117