Senators question Willow Baer on staffing, housing and aging as they approve her for OPWDD commissioner

Willow Baer, nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to lead the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), told a joint session of the Senate Finance and Disabilities committees that she would prioritize workforce recruitment, family engagement, health access and services for an aging population as she was approved for the post.

Baer, who has been serving as acting commissioner and previously was OPWDD executive deputy commissioner and general counsel, told senators she had “hired a team of people with developmental disabilities” to identify obstacles in the service system and said, “This is more than just a job to me. It is a commitment to do better for the people that we all care about.” She said she has visited day programs, residences, clinics and met with self-advocates, families and front-line staff across the state.

Why it matters: OPWDD oversees services used by tens of thousands of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families. Lawmakers pressed Baer on worker shortages, recent state investments, the effects of potential federal funding cuts and gaps in health and dental care — areas senators said directly affect safety and access to community-based services.

Key commitments and context

- Workforce: Baer said OPWDD rolled out a statewide marketing campaign funded with one-time federal dollars to…