Connections
AIM’s recovery peer advocate
leads overdose prevention efforts
Brandon Beuter, AIM’s recovery peer advocate, has led recent efforts by the Steuben Prevention Coalition to prevent opioid abuse and overdoses.
Beuter is the chair of the Prevention Coalition’s Opioid Committee, which partnered with the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office to collect nearly 800 pounds of unused prescription drugs this year. They organized local collections in Bath on April 24 and Oct. 23 for National Prescription Drug Take Back Days.
The Opioid Committee has been placing “One Pill Can Kill” highway billboards in Steuben County to warn people of the recent rise of counterfeit pills such as Percocet or Xanax being laced with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that can cause overdose even in tiny quantities.
The Opioid Committee is planning a virtual training for nurses and other staff in local school districts on Tuesday, Nov. 2 on using Narcan, or naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Beuter is also offering in-person Narcan trainings at local schools.
The Opioid Committee is also purchasing specially made containers to dispose of used heroin needles for police departments in Steuben County.
There have already been 190 overdoses and 13 fatalities in Steuben County in 2021, and those figures will likely rise through the holidays. When an overdose is reported in Steuben County, Beuter is alerted and responds to provide peer support to the person who overdosed.
For more information, contact Beuter at (607) 962-8225, ext. 233.
Supporters ramp up efforts to
pass Fair Pay for Home Care Act
Supporters of the Fair Pay for Home Care Act are ramping up efforts to get the bill passed next year.
The 2022 budget and legislative session will begin in January, when lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly return to Albany. The bill, A.6329/S.5374, would raise wages for home care workers to 150% of minimum wage.
The bill is a priority for the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network, which is led by the New York Association on Independent Living and includes AIM and other independent living centers across the state. AIM and other independent living centers operate the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a home care program.
The Fair Pay for Home Care Act would increase the Medicaid reimbursement rates for home care providers, allowing them to increase wages for workers.
According to the bill summary, New York is at the center of a national home care crisis and will face a shortage of 80,000 home care workers by 2025. Low wages make it difficult to attract and retain enough workers to enable people with disabilities to continue living safely and independently at home. The workforce shortage also impacts AIM’s work to transition people out of nursing homes.
The Fair Pay for Home Care Act would alleviate the workforce crisis while creating jobs and boosting the economy, according to a report by the CUNY School of Labor.
To sign up for email alerts on the Fair Pay for Home Care Act and other legislation that would benefit people with disabilities, contact AIM Systems Advocate Derrick Ek at dek@aimcil.com or (607) 962-8225, ext. 134.
OPWDD youth activities offered monthly via Zoom and in-person
AIM is hosting monthly programs for kids and teens who have OPWDD eligibility.
We’re offering activities via Zoom and also in-person with masks and social distancing at the Elmira AIM office, located at 350 West Church Street, Elmira.
November’s schedule for kids 13 and under includes “Slime Time” via Zoom from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9; “Board Game Night” at the Elmira AIM office from 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23; and “Thankful Turkeys” via Zoom from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
The lineup for teens ages 14 and older includes “Fact or Fiction” via Zoom from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 and “Thankful Turkeys” at the Elmira AIM office from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.
These programs are offered through AIM’s OPWDD Family Support Services Program. Participants must live at home and have OPWDD eligibility. To register and receive supplies for the activities in advance, contact AIM Youth Program Specialist Morgan Orcutt at (607) 962-8225, ext. 240.
Also, AIM recently hired David Goodwin as our new OPWDD Service Access Intake Coordinator. He helps people gain OPWDD eligibility, learn about available services and connect to providers. Goodwin will also supervise our Family Support Services Program. He takes the position previously held by Wendy Watkins who recently retired after 10 years with AIM.
Goodwin can be reached at (607) 962-8225, ext. 223
Employee Spotlight:
Hannah Prunier
Hannah Prunier is featured in AIM’s Employee Spotlight for October.
Prunier is the executive assistant to René Snyder, AIM’s Chief Executive Officer.
In this role she provides administrative support to senior leadership and all AIM programs. She is involved with everything from capital projects and grant applications to planning AIM’s holiday activities for staff.
“Hannah’s attention to detail and immediate availability is a very important service we rely on so that our department in turn can provide professional, reliable service,” a coworker who nominated her for the Employee Spotlight.
October staff anniversaries:
- Rebecca VanRiper, Medicaid Billing Coordinator, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (9 years)
- Taryn Roloson, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Coordinator (6 years)
- Lou Ciarlo, Director of Information Technology (5 years)
- Louise Hastings, OPWDD Community Habilitation Program Coordinator (2 years)
Welcome new hires:
- Eric Krause, Director of Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program and Home Health Administration
- David Goodwin, OPWDD Service Access Intake Coordinator and Family Support Services Supervisor
- Laura Tarby, General Advocate
Current openings:
- Administrative Assistant
- Social Security Benefits Advisor
- Veterans Advocate
- Delivery Driver, Community Nutrition Program
- Intake and Outreach Specialist, CDPAP
- Administrative Specialist, CDPAP
- Personal Assistants, CDPAP
- OPWDD Program Specialist
- OPWDD Direct Support Professionals
- OPWDD Self-Hire Staff
- Independent Living Skills Trainer (NHTD/TBI Waiver Programs)
To view job descriptions and apply online, visit aimcil.com.
AIM Independent Living Center’s offices are open by appointment only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (607) 962-8225.
To understand your rights and responsibilities as an AIM consumer and learn how to file a grievance regarding services you have received, click here.