Current Advocacy Efforts

Providing Career Pathways for DSPs

In May of 2021, AccessCNY and its community partners Onondaga Community College (OCC) and State Senator John Mannion announced a new jobs program designed to provide a career pathway for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). DSPs provide essential care to individuals with disabilities and there has been a shortage of them in Central New York for several years.  

This new pilot program is funded through a $100,000 appropriation that Senator Mannion secured in the New York State budget. It will support mentoring and paid internship opportunities, as well as tuition credits at OCC. Our collective hope is that this program brings new people into the workforce, strengthens our care system and creates career pathways for DSPs at AccessCNY.