This page will allow the user to advocated to for the CUNY LEADS program

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to request that the Assembly match the $1.5 million in CUNY LEADS funding that was included in the Senate Budget Resolution.

CUNY LEADS stands for Linking Employment, Academics, & Disability Services. It is an existing partnership between the City University of New York and Vocational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). This collaboration, which has an a LEADS counselor on every CUNY campus, provides students with disabilities academic support, career development, and job placement services. Participants have an 86% college retention rate. Most importantly, CUNY LEADS students who are job-ready have a 72% employment rate, compared to the 56% national employment rate for people with disabilities; and starting wages are 35% higher than for non-LEADS, VESID clients.

At a time where the State is searching for innovative ways to grow its economy, CUNY LEADS has proven to be a significant stimulus. Indeed, a modest investment of approximately $10,000 can prepare and place a CUNY LEADS student in competitive employment saving New York State $14,312 per year in disability benefits alone. Over the course of a 30 year work history, this represents a total savings of $418,222 in NYS disability benefits for each LEADS job placement.

Right now, CUNY LEADS funding is scheduled to run out in July 2010. In this scenario, 70% of students in the CUNY LEADS pipeline would lose crucial supports, including all-important job placement services. 26 CUNY LEADS staff - fellow New Yorkers who work so hard to create opportunities for students with disabilities, would lose their jobs. This crucial bridge to opportunity for New Yorkers with disabilities, this remarkable economic stimulus, would be lost.

On behalf of all City Univeristy students with disabilities, I am writing to request that the Assembly match the CUNY LEADS funding that was included in the Senate's Budget Resolution. We desparately need your leadership to save this crucial program.

As always, thank you for your leadership on behalf of all New Yorkers.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 24, 2010