Category Archives: News

Chris Graber, CEO, Named One of the Responsible 100 in 2024

CDChoices is excited to share our CEO, Chris Graber, has been recognized as one of The Responsible 100 by City & State! This prestigious honor celebrates New York’s most outstanding corporate citizens who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to transformative change and community improvement. Chris’s unwavering focus on social responsibility, including diversity, equity, ethics, […]

Twenty-one home care workers honored statewide

CDChoices recently honored 21 exceptional home care workers across New York State with the 2024 Constance Laymon Personal Assistant Recognition Awards. This recognition, highlighted by WNYT is given to those who have made a remarkable impact in the lives of seniors and people with disabilities, allowing them to live independently in their own homes. Nominated […]

20 things you don’t know about me: Hongwei Zhang, Consumer Directed Choices

Hongwei Zhang, CDChoices’ Senior Vice President, is featured in the Times Union’s “20 Things You Don’t Know About Me” series. Hongwei offers insights into both her professional journey and personal life, revealing interesting and meaningful experiences that have shaped her. Hongwei’s diverse background and strategic leadership have been instrumental in guiding CDChoices toward a successful […]

Consumer Directed Choices Marks Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Uplifting Message of Empowerment

On July 26, 2024, CDChoices was featured in The Post Star to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights act, signed into law on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability and ensures that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access to all […]

Meet The 40 Under 40 Class of 2024

On Friday, May 17, 2024, Senior Vice President of Operations, Hongwei Zhang, was recognized as an honoree of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024. Hongwei was asked several questions about herself and her career, including, “What’s been the most pivotal moment of your career so far?” She answered, “The pivotal moment of my career […]

Women of Excellence: Hongwei Zhang utilizes data to better serve clients

On May 3, 2024, CDChoices Senior Vice President of Operations Hongwei Zhang, was featured in the Times Union to discuss being the Capital Region Chamber Women of Excellence, Excellence in Business Innovation honoree. She says, “When I think of innovation, I don’t think we should just do innovation. When I reflect on the innovations I’ve […]

Families concerned by proposed changes to in-home caregiver program in New York

On March 29, 2024, CDChoices designated representative, Linda Siatkowski and her daughter spoke to Spectrum News about Gov. Kathy Hochul and her proposed changes to the increasingly popular Medicaid-funded Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. These changes could include eliminating what is called a designated representative for individuals who utilize a personal assistant, or caregiver, to […]

New York families worried about Medicaid cuts

On March 29, 2024, Jocelyn Arndt, CDChoices Business Development Specialist, was featured on FingerLakes1.com, Inc. to discuss Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed alterations to New York’s Medicaid-funded Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), and how these changes are stirring concerns among families reliant on in-home caregivers. The proposed changes suggest removing the role of designated representatives, […]

“Hear my daughter’s voice through me”: Disability advocates plea state avoid program cuts

CDChoices consumer Amanda Siatkowski and her mother, Linda Siatkowski were featured on CBS6 News on March 25, 2024, to speak about the state proposing cutting designated representatives from the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program and how it would affect their family. Linda says, “Without this program, I feel my daughter would go backward in life.” […]

CDChoices Senior VP of Operations Hongwei Zhang named 40 under 40 Class of 2024 winner

For over two decades, the Albany Business Review has recognized movers and shakers—entrepreneurs, innovators, job creators, and dealmakers—who are defining the future of the Capital Region. Among the elite 40 under 40 Class of 2024, we proudly congratulate Hongwei Zhang, our very own CDChoices Senior Vice President of Operations. Chosen from a pool of 250 […]