A Message from CEO Erik Geizer (Continued)
ACHIEVE’s New Day Hab
The program began in 2023 and is part of SPAC's mission to provide free access to the arts and inclusive programs for people of all ages and abilities. The final performance is the culmination of 10 weeks of music, dance and improvisational theater classes that were specifically curated for these students at the SPAC School of the Arts. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the transformative power of the performing arts, participants embark on a journey of self-discovery, community-building, and personal growth. We extend our deepest gratitude to SPAC for spearheading this initiative and their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in the arts.
I was excited to visit ACHIEVE (Broome, Chenango, Tioga) for the official ribbon- cutting celebration for their newly renovated downtown Norwich Day Habilitation facility lovingly named 'Envisions.'
Budget Testimony
16th Annual Compliance & Quality Connections Conference
SPAC’s Access The Arts
IIn May, I had the honor of attending Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s (SPAC) “Access the Arts” educational program at Spa Little Theater, where I saw more than 100 students of all ages and abilities perform. Of the 100 students, several were from Saratoga Bridges, Warren, Washington & Albany Counties ARC, and Liberty ARC (Montgomery, Schenectady).
We recently hosted the 16th annual Compliance and Quality Connections Conference with Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, which brought roughly 200 attendees from across the state. This year we had an experienced and knowledgeable group of professionals to help us tackle the challenges and risks ahead of us, including a group of leaders from the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities’ (OPWDD) Division of Quality Improvement. We had a panel discussion with Robert Hussar of Rivkin Radler, Paul Mayer of The Bonadio Group and Melissa Zambri of Barclay Damon. We also had Ben Wilkinson of Barclay Damon address employment compliance concerns, and Brian Tuttle, a HIPAA consultant, discuss HIPAA changes.
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