September 22, 2025
The Taskforce builds upon New York’s Master Plan for Aging
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities convened its first meeting of the Developmental Disabilities Commissioner’s Taskforce on Aging to bring together leaders and subject matter experts to develop actionable recommendations to address the increasing needs associated with aging for people with developmental disabilities in New York State.
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, “As OPWDD continues to focus on providing a continuum of support throughout a person’s lifespan, we recognize that the needs of an aging population with developmental disabilities can be complex. Supporting ways for people to age with dignity in their communities is critical and we are committed to supporting this ongoing quality of life. I look forward to working with this group to identify best practices that are responsive to the needs of aging New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and of those who support them.”
The taskforce is a time-limited subcommittee of OPWDD’s Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC) and membership, selected by the Taskforce chairs, includes subject matter experts in health, aging, and developmental disabilities, provided by self-advocates, family members, and developmental disabilities providers, in addition to clinical and legal professionals. Specific areas of review will include how to better meet the needs of aging New Yorkers with developmental disabilities related to health and memory care; ways to better support aging caregivers; and other best practices related to aging, housing, and health.
The Task Force has 4 focus areas:
Non-Residential Supports and Services covers what people receiving OPWDD services do during the day, including retirement options, employment, and day services. It includes services provided outside of OPWDD, but does not include housing or residential services, or services and supports for caregivers.
Caregivers and Circles of Support covers how paid and unpaid caregivers and circles of support can receive appropriate options, opportunities, information, resources, and support to meet changing needs, with a heavy emphasis on future planning and the tools and resources needed to enable planning.
Health and Wellness covers how people’s health and wellness changes as they age, and what can be done to do to better support people’s health. Major sub-themes include age-related assessments and supporting people with high medical complexity due to age-related changes in health.
Accessible Housing covers what people need to live in their community of choice as they age. Major sub-themes are physical accessibility of certified and non-certified residential settings, policies that support universal design, and supporting people through housing transitions. It does not include access to housing, which is being tackled in other venues.
Members of the Taskforce include:
Michael Seereiter, President/COO, NY Alliance
Rachel Baker, Chief Strategy Officer, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Jill Pettinger, Deputy Commissioner of Division of Statewide Services, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Kristin Proud, Executive Director, Council on Developmental Disabilities
John Cochran, Chief of Staff, Office for the Aging
Michael Orzel, Self-Advocate, Program Operations Specialist, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Tina Fitzgerald, Self-Advocate, SANYS Staff
Kevin Ryan, Self-Advocate, SANYS Staff
Donna Long, Family Advocate
Rachelle Kivanoski, Family Advocate, Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council
Young Seh Bae, Family Advocate, Executive Director, Community Inclusion and Development Alliance
Antonia Ferguson, Executive Director, Willowbrook Consumer Advisory Board
Brittany Miske, Vice President of Healthcare Management and Clinical Support, Care Design
Erica Berman, Director of Guardianship Services, NYSARC
Jennifer Rowe, Director, OWPDD State Operations Region 4
Rose Mary Bailly, Institute of Aging and Disability Law, Albany Law School
Kathryn Carroll, Disability and Program Coordinator, Association on Aging in New York
Ashley Keagle, Director of Life Transitions, People Inc.
Lori Lobdell, Associate Executive Director, Advocacy and Resource Center
Monica Santos, Chief Program Officer, Services for the Underserved
Lisa Meyer-Fertal, Executive Director, Independent Group Home Living