Supported Decision-Making Facilitation Model Shortlisted for International Innovation Award!

 

August 26, 2026

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I have some exciting news! The Supported Decision-Making facilitation model has been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2027!  If you are not familiar with Zero Project, it is a global initiative to identify and share innovative solutions that remove barriers for people with disabilities. This year, Zero Project’s call for submissions focused on the topics of Independent Living, Political Participation, and Assistive Technology (AT). After receiving more than 615 nominations from around the world, Zero Project's research team and experts from the global Zero Project Network selected their “shortlist” of 159 solutions.

Supported-Decision Making’s inclusion on this list represents an incredible milestone in OPWDD’s effort to empower people with developmental disabilities to experience the dignity and independence of decision-making with support. It demonstrates that the Project's experts recognize that New York’s Supported Decision-Making facilitation model, which provides a legally enforceable way for people with developmental disabilities to demonstrate their capacity to make legal, financial, medical, and life decisions on their own behalf, is an innovative solution worthy of potential replication.

While this shortlist is only the first step of the award process, I can't tell you how proud it makes me to see Supported Decision-Making on this list. It’s inclusion in this global competition is a testament to the important work we’ve been doing here in New York State under the leadership of Governor Hochul and in partnership with our provider agencies and advocates.  While several other states and countries have laws that recognize decisions made under Supported Decision-Making Agreements, New York is the only state in the nation that supports and funds the facilitation process for people with developmental disabilities.  

While the scope of OPWDD services may be limited to New York, the reach of our work, led by our community that includes our partners and self-advocates, knows no borders.  Freedom from all kinds of barriers is so essential to living a rich, fulfilling life. Because we live in a global environment, it is so important that we continue to work with, learn from, and collaborate with our neighbors across the globe to achieve zero barriers for people with developmental disabilities.

For more information on Support Decision Making in NY, available through AIM Services, Inc, please visit their website.

The final Zero Project Awards will be announced on December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Willow Baer 
Commissioner

Source:
Supported Decision-Making Facilitation Model Shortlisted for International Innovation Award! 

Bay Minette cleaning lady booked on felony elderly exploitation in $400k theft probe

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (NBC 15) — A Bay Minette woman is accused of stealing nearly $400,000 in cash from a private residence over several months while working as a cleaning lady, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said it received a report on Tuesday about the theft of a large amount of U.S. currency from a home. The victims told investigators that nearly $400,000 in cash had been taken and identified their cleaning lady as the primary suspect.

Investigators identified the suspect as Tabitha White, 28, of Bay Minette, and interviewed her about the theft, the sheriff’s office said. During the interview, White told investigators that over the course of several months, she had taken “handfuls” of cash while cleaning the residence.

As the investigation continued, investigators said they learned White had allegedly used stolen funds to purchase numerous items. That information led to a search warrant being executed at her residence, where investigators seized documents related to the purchases and items believed to have been bought with the stolen money.

The sheriff’s office said evidence seized included vehicles, four-wheelers, electronics, lawn equipment, construction supplies and other property.

White was charged with one felony count of financial exploitation of the elderly. The sheriff’s office said additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues. 

Full Article & Source:
Bay Minette cleaning lady booked on felony elderly exploitation in $400k theft probe