Ep 125: Steve Gonyea's Mission to Reform Disability and Foster Care Systems

Steve Gonyea, an advocate and foster parent from New York, shares his journey from seeking help for his son with autism and other disabilities to becoming a statewide leader in disability advocacy. Initially struggling to find proper diagnoses and services, Steve began helping other families and eventually served on agency boards, fostering over 170 children with complex needs. He highlights systemic issues such as long wait times for evaluations, lack of oversight in medication management, and inadequate dental care access, advocating for creative, out-of-the-box solutions like building sensory spaces and collaborating with local providers. Steve emphasizes the importance of parent-driven advocacy, networking through support groups, and pushing for legislative changes, such as ombudsman programs, to improve oversight and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.