In a letter to the Governor, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Chair of the Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders, is calling on the Governor to provide a timeline and the necessary guidelines to safely resume adult day programs.

Since COVID-19, for more than three months day programs for adults with disabilities have remained closed. With no assistance for thousands of families across the state of New York this population is seeing regression and losing valuable skills needed for independence. The adult day programs are an essential source of support for families and their loved ones, providing reliable care, therapeutic and health services, educational activities and social interaction.

“These programs and services are essential to many families in our community and important as many begin to re-enter the workforce while we begin to rebuild our economy,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “We’ve all made enormous sacrifices during these difficult times, however the needs of our disabled population must not be forgotten,” Santabarbara said. “While opening adult day centers may be challenging, it will also allow many families go back to work and for their loved ones to be safe and cared for.”