NEW YORK, April 14 /PRNewswire/ – The YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network was named number one in the Best Companies to Work for in New York for 2007. The New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group, an independent company managing Best Places to Work programs in 26 states around the country, presented the YAI/NIPD Network with the honor in the Large Companies category at an awards dinner on April 10 in Albany.

“By continually identifying ways to improve the work environment for its employees, the YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network has become a nurturing organization where people genuinely love to work,” said Barry R. Manus, Chair, Best Companies New York Initiative for the New York Sate Society for Human Resources Management, announcing the award. “From tuition reimbursement to a state-of-the-art training program, the organization places the utmost importance on supporting its staff growth and development.”

The statewide awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment — including for-profit and not-for-profits — in New York. Companies from across the state were ranked on the results of an employee survey and their workplace policies, benefits and implementation.

“We are enormously proud of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Philip H. Levy, President of the YAI/NIPD Network. “For 50 years, we have created an
environment where people are treated with dignity and respect. We recognize that staff is our greatest resource. And no one benefits more from this than the individuals and their families, whom we proudly serve.”

“We have made it a priority to create programs, policies and partnerships that enhance the lives of our staff members in and outside of work,” said Dr. Joel M. Levy, Chief Executive Officer of the YAI/NIPD Network. “We recognize the importance of the delicate work-life balance.”

The Best Companies to Work for in New York list is made up of 30 companies split into two groups: 15 medium-sized companies (25-250 employees) and 15 large-sized companies (251 or more employees). The YAI/NIPD Network has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York in the large category.

The following is the rankings for the Best Large Companies to Work for in New York State:

1. The YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network, New York, N.Y.
2. Marcum & Kliegman LLP, Melville, N.Y.
3. The American Cancer Society Eastern Division, New York, N.Y.
4. Digitas, New York, N.Y.
5. Deloitte, New York, N.Y.
6. Independent Health, Buffalo, N.Y.
7. Anchin Block & Anchin LLP, New York, N.Y.
8. Syracuse Research Corporation, North Syracuse, N.Y.
9. Grant Thornton LLOP, New York, N.Y.
10. Sleepy’s LLC, Bethpage, N.Y.
11. Berkeley College, New York, N.Y.
12. The Arc of Steuben, Bath, N.Y.
13. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Lake Success, N.Y.
14. Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, N.Y.
15. St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, Roslyn, N.Y.

In addition to the partnership, the program is supported by the following organizations: Major Sponsor-Right Management; Supporting Sponsors — Bernard Hodes Group and Jackson Lewis LLP.

Since 1957, the YAI/NIPD Network has provided a place of hope for people with developmental and learning disabilities. Comprised of seven
not-for-profit, independent health and human service agencies, the YAI/NIPD Network serves people of all ages throughout the New York metropolitan area, including Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester and Rockland counties. One of the most comprehensive networks of its kind, the YAI/NIPD Network’s more than 5,000 staff members serve over 20,000 individuals in more than 450 community-based programs.

The YAI/NIPD Network also has been recognized with the National Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from the American Psychological
Association and the New York State Psychological Association’s state-level Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award.

For more information about the YAI/NIPD Network or to obtain services, call 1-866-2-YAI-LINK or visit http://www.yai.org.

For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York awards program, visit http://www.bestcompaniesNY.com or contact Beth Feltenberger at bethf@journalpub.com or 717-236-4300.