I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes
-
- Minutes June minutes Approved. The minutes are posted on the Council website. If you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements
The Manhattan Family’s Resource Fair is December 17th at CUNY Graduate Centre. 10AM -2PM Please respond to Yesenia Estrella at yestrella@esperanzacenter.com to let her know that the information for the resources fair directory is correct. Your help and response is essential.
-Please remember to pay your dues which help support our events throughout the year.
You can reap many benefits when paying your dues.
-AHRC
program vacancies in many of their programs. Day habilitation openings in all 5 boroughs.
Contact the Referral & Information Center at 212 780-4491 for information.
-ADAPT Communitv Network- formerly UCP of New York City
See attached flyers for all upcoming programs as well as program vacancies
1877-827-2666 or email project connect @adaptcommunity network.org
Family Support Workshop Series- First Workshop October 9th.
Family Connect-topic is bussing. Spanish translation avaiilable
-OSAC
See attached flyer for program vacancies Openings in the after school programs
-Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
-YAI
Information is attached for service vacancies. For information about any YAI programs, please call 212-273-6182, or email link@yai.org.
See attached flyers for the different programs available.
Funds still available for emergency respite.
-NY START
212-273-6300
Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs. Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available Sinergia
-see attached flyers for openings
-NYLPI
looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid
-NY Deaf and Blind Collaboration
-looking for referrals for kids, and willing to go to the home or meet with the teams at schools. Contact Silvia Verga – 718-997-4855, or siliva.verga@qc.cuny.edu
-National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA)
-see attached flyer
Concerned about Public Benefits and Immigration? Don’t stop using public benefits unnecessarily –free legal help is avaialbe funded by the city call 1-800-354-0365 and say “Public Charge”
-Transformation Educational Development Services
-see attached flyer
IV. State News – Siobhan Hunt-Community Services
- Mary Grace resigned in August interviews are being set up to look for her replacement
- OPWDD is taking the time right now to take a hard look at their system and determine the next steps forward.
- CCO turn over and care managers don’t know all information available to them Making sure each individual has a life plan
- OPWDD is not going to move into managed long-term care until they are ready to and know that it will succeed.
- OPWDD visited each CCO and gave them feedback on how they can improve
- OPWDD has made new Care Coordination Support Liaisons available at each Regional Office for assistance.
- In the coming weeks, OPWDD will conduct a formal post-implementation performance review of the CCOs’ operations.
- January 1, 2020 is the target date that NYS is implementing Community First Choice Option (CFCO) for certain services that are currently only available through Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
- For most people served by the OPWDD HCBS waiver there will be no impact to the services they receive or the way in which they receive them.
- For those who are not eligible for the waiver, CFCO will allow them to access a wider array of state plan service options that were not previously available to them.
- Many CFCO services are the same as those offered through the HCBS waiver.
- As a state plan service, all CFCO services will now be available to anyone enrolled in a mainstream managed care plan, including those with developmental disabilities who are already receiving care management and services through such a plan.
- Approximately 25,000 individuals with I/DD are currently enrolled in a mainstream managed care plan. About 5,000 are receiving Community Habilitation.
V. City News – Gavin Myers
- Services evaluation project with New York Academy of Medicine to better understand the services that NYC DOHMH gives.
- They will be doing a year long process. Families DD council members and other stakeholders will be interviewed
VI. IAC -Suzanne T
-
- No report this month
VII. Committee
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs: Carol Lincoln and Jackie Ceonzo Rebecca Watson from Wallach of NYACK spoke. It was a successful meeting.
Last meeting was on Tuesday September 10th. Adapt Community Network gave the presentation. They covered a wide range of topics from ISS to durable medical equipment. It was very informative. Many people from the CCO’s came and that was great.
Next meeting will be October 15th. It will be a CCO panel to give an update
Legislative Committee: Co-Chairs Jim Malley & Lynn Decker-
-
- No Report this month
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer The committee used the summer for a lot of outreach. They went to as many front door sessions as possible to meet with families. The next meeting is on September 19th and the topic is Challenging behaviours and frightening moments.
New Business:
Resource Fair December 17th at CUNY Graduate Centre.10AM -2PM Please respond to Yesenia Estrella at yestrella@esperanzacenter.com to let her know that the information for the resources fair directory is correct. Your help and response is essential. We need volunteers to help in various ways. This is an annual event which averages about 500 attendees. Please reach out to Wendy or Jackie wdeleon@adaptcommunitynetwork.org ; manhattanfamilyadvisory@gmail.com. we are looking for a picture of a family to feature in our brochure. If you have such a picture please reach out to us.