After One Year: An Update from Joseph M. Pancari, President and CEO
Dear Friends of CP Unlimited,
After one year in the role of President & CEO of this remarkable organization, I wanted to share how we are working to shape the future of CP Unlimited.
While this has been a period of growth and change, the ability of our team to think creatively, respond gracefully, and maintain the highest level of care for the people we support has remained unwavering and inspiring.
To reflect that commitment, CP Unlimited has shifted strategies to grow flexible funding streams, deepen and diversify our expertise, and add new IT infrastructure and technology to facilitate more fruitful collaboration.
The results are already paying cultural and financial dividends. I am most proud to announce an across-the-board increase for our Direct Support and Registered Nursing staff that makes CP Unlimited more attractive in this already competitive industry. In addition, we are working closely with New York State Senate officials like John Mannion to support legislation that bumps compensation in specific roles, helping our Agency as well as all others in the I/DD field.
We are also building bridges between parties, agencies, and providers to create new, non-I/DD focused housing opportunities in Staten Island while engaging the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH), alongside local representatives including NYS Senator Jennifer Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo. Our parallel approach in the Hudson Valley means CP Unlimited will soon cut the ribbon on three new homes with the support of NYS Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. I also want to recognize Senator Harckham for the generous grant he awarded to our Agency just last week. These honors and efforts magnify our abilities as a change-maker in these important communities.
As we become more visible, we are amplifying our impact. The most observable iteration of this work is our regular wheelchair clinics, where people who use powered and non-powered chairs have opportunities for cleaning, maintenance, and service to enhance their mobility and independence. A new media outreach strategy will hopefully garner attention in local and other press for these and additional innovative projects.
I am also thrilled to welcome accomplished, new members to the CP Board of Directors that extend our capability to tap new networks of proficiency and potential sponsorship. I thank Tracy Belmear, Jeffrey Futterman, Brian Litten, Blanca Ramirez, and David Solomon for joining us.
All of this is to say that it has been a year unlike many in our long history and I am encouraged by all of you, without whom none of this would be possible.
With Gratitude for Your Support,
Joseph M. Pancari
President & CEO
