Life planning and establishing
guardianship for
those with developmental
disabilities can be complicated,
and the terms of such decisions
may have far-reaching
effects for families.
The Kennedy-Willis Center
on Down Syndrome at
Pathfinder Village will host a
free workshop presented by
the New York State Commission
on Quality Care and
Advocacy for Persons with
Disabilities on Friday, March
26, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to
assist those who are facing
planning decisions.
Guardianship and Healthcare
Issues for People with
Special Needs will feature
legal experts from the state
Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities
(OMRDD), NYSARC,
and the state Commission on
Quality Care and Advocacy
for Persons with Disabilities.
The workshop will offer
participants information they
need to establish advance
directives, such as guardianship,
living wills, health
care proxies, and powers of
attorney.
An emphasis will be placed
on the rights of the individual,
and how guardianship
and end-of-life decisions can
best be implemented under
current statutes.
``Discussions about
guardianship, healthcare,
and end-of-life issues regarding
loved ones who have
developmental disabilities
are complicated, but advance
planning is the best way
a family may make these
decisions objectively. It is
important that families seek
guidance from qualified
professionals while going
through this process,’’ said
Carl Koenig, interim director
of the Kennedy-Willis Center
on Down Syndrome.
``The establishment of
these plans takes time,’’
continued Mr. Koenig. ``Once
guardianship and a life plan
are established it is important
that these instructions
be kept up-to-date to reflect
the current status of the
individual and his family.’’
Featured presenters will
include Eileen Zibell, Esq.,
the associate attorney with
OMRDD; Patricia W. Johnson,
Esq., the assistant counsel
for the state’s Commission
on Quality of Care; Paul
R. Kietzman, Esq., general
counsel for the NYSARC, the
state’s largest private service
provider for people with
developmental disabilities;
and William Combes,
A.C.S.W., the state director of
the programs for Protection
and Advocacy for Persons
with Developmental Disabilties/
Traumatic Brain Injury
through the Quality of Care
Commission.
The free seminar will be
held at Pathfinder Village’s
Kennedy-Willis Center on
Down Syndrome, beginning
at 8:30 a.m. A sandwich buffet
will be available at $10
per person (with advance
registration).
The registration brochure
is available under Kennedy-
Willis Center on Down
Syndrome section on the
Pathfinder Village website
(www.pathfindervillage.
org).
Seating is limited, and
advance registration is recommended
by March 12.
To register by phone, call
607-965-8377, ext. 112, or
email vlooker@pathfindervil
lage.org.
