Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council
Next Meeting
Tuesday May 16th, 2023
10:00 A.M.
Virtual Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 933 3291 9204
Passcode: 183158
Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
April 18, 2023
I. Introductions
The March 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
ManhattanDDcouncil@gmail.com. Please send all information and flyers to the email address. All non-fundraiser events can be posted on the website.
We will continue our meetings via zoom and we appreciate everyone who participates
NYC FAIR Town Hall on HCBS waiver settings rules changes on January 26th – OPWDD and NYCLU representatives sharing info. Registration required. Questions being solicited ahead of meeting.
NYC FAIR: Town Hall on HCBS Waiver Settings Rules Changes, 1/26/23 Register Here:https://forms.gle/RCvU3Hy8wYBsy7Y69
ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City
Please contact ADAPT Community Network’s Project Connect at 877-827-2666 or projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org. We have openings in Family Reimbursement, Com. Hab, Home Modifications, ISS, Housing Assistance Services. We are offering telehealth services via Station MD and Day Hab Admissions is running virtually. contact mhwang@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or 718-594-7374 or Kliebman@adaptcommunitynetwork.org
Contact projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or call 877-827-2666.
ADAPT Community Network is offering a free webinar “How to Understand the Meaning of Your Child’s Challenging Behavior” on Thursday, January 19th 10 am – 11:30 am where you’ll learn positive hands-on coping strategies. Our speaker is Susan Cuoccio who has a Master of Science degree in Special Education with a concentration on autism. Spanish and Cantonese translation will be provided. Registration is required.
Advance Care Alliance
Please contact Frida Valdez, the Outreach Coordinator at ACA/NY. directly at frida.valdez@myacany.org/ 646-633-6842 to discuss the unique support provided for families in our pre-enrollment process into ACA/NY CCO (Care Coordination Organization).
We can assist with applying for OPWDD eligibility, scheduling/completing Psych/ Social/Telehealth Medical evals/ADOS assessments when applicable, and obtaining Medicaid for enrollment into our CCO for Care Management services. We also have:
•Specialized Admissions Coordinator who can help navigate more complex enrollment cases.
•Cultural Liaisons who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages.
•The Linkage Admissions Coordinator will assist with linking people with healthcare needs before enrolling.
Let us know if you have any questions, as we are here to support you! Thank you.
Unique Care Community Services
We have openings in our Group Day Hab, Com-Hab and Respite program. We are accepting individuals. Please email me at ajames@uniquecarenyc.org I can also be reached at 347-784-4622
Goodwill NYNJ
We have openings in our Day Habilitation without walls focusing on employment, Respite, and Advance services located in East Harlem If you have any questions please call or email at lstilson@goodwillny.org or (347)906-2556, thank you!
Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan Brooklyn and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
YAI
Transition To Independence: The Transition to Independence Program is available to people, ages 17-21, who have a diagnosis of autism and live at home with family in Manhattan. Limited spots are available for Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island residents. The program is open to people who are not currently receiving OPWDD HCBS waiver services (ex: Self Direction, respite, NYSTART/CSIDD, community habilitation, day habilitation, supported employment, etc.) and those who do not have OPWDD eligibility.
For more information or a referral please email LINK@YAI.ORG or call 212-273-6182.
Funds still available for emergency respite.
Travel Training workshops for staff, parents and caregivers. In the workshop, we will discuss the Travel Training program in detail, including the stages of training and pre-service documentation. Please feel free to email TravelTraining@yai.org.
All inquiries should be directed to YAI LINK at 212 273 6182 or link@yai.org. You can also fill out a Getting Started form to begin the screening process.
Holiday Respite (ages 6 to 18)
Overnight Respite (ages 5+)
Parents with Special Needs: Program to empower parents with I/DD to strengthen parent/child interaction and enhance independence. The program focuses on goals identified by the parents to enhance their effectiveness and lead a balanced parenting lifestyle.
In-Home Behaviour Management
Social Skills (ages 9+)
You and I Social Networking Skills (ages 18+): This group offers adults the opportunity to learn social and dating skills in a structured setting.
Independent Living Skills (ages 18+): A series of 12-week group sessions, providing the opportunity for adults to learn and develop skills in a group setting. A parent/caregiver education component is also included to help families bring the information home.
NY START(CSIDD)
212-273-6300
Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs.
Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available
February 21st on line training.
NYLPI – Looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid. NYPLI has free services and trainings available on future planning, guardianship, and special education rights; call 212-244-4664 for information or by requesting assistance online www.nylpi.org/get-help. We also provide a resource guide every Friday https://nylpi.org/resource/special-education-remote-learning-information-contacts-resources-links/
Sinergia– Offering Service coordination and Family Reimbursement to all Boroughs. We also offer non-Medicaid Free Evaluations and case management for Manhattan residents. We have openings in our Day Habilitation program and our employment program. Please feel free to reach out Jsantana@sinergiany.org There is also Housing Advocacy available as well https://www.sinergiany.org/services/housing-assistance
Esperanza has a day hab program in Washington Heights, and funds available for transportation reimbursement for Manhattan only. 212-928-5810
GHO– GHO has openings:
FSS services(Family Reimbursement and Case Management, Medicaid is not required)
Medicaid Waiver services (Employment program, including SEMP, ETP/Pathway, community based pre-voc., Day Hab w/o walls, site-based Day Hab, Com-Hab and respite. Bilingual staff speaking in Chinese, Korean and ASL available
Info/questions:
call: 718-307–6563/ 6564/6570.
Email: pat@ghoinc.org
GHO has contract with CDNY continue to assist Chinese and Korean speaking families enrolling into Care Design’s care management regardless of language barrier. Speak to Joe Tan 718-2616552 ext. 2054. Workshop on April 7 at 11:00AM
The Center for Discovery. We are an OPWDD run residential facility, as well as DOE run school. We are currently accepting applications for residential placement. Please have anyone interested have their school district send the child’s referral packet to us directly. Call me with any questions 845-649-5104 or slivanos@tcfd.org. Website: www.tcfd.org. We are also working on a brand new DDPC partnership grant for restraint and seclusion reduction analysis for all of NYS. If you would like to participate please reach out to help! Opening children’s hospital in 2021.
Health Care Advocate ICAN. Please contact Lynn Decker, ldecker@cidny.org 646-442-4188. I am the designated participant advocate for enrollees in the FIDA-IDD plan with Partners Health Plan, and can assist others enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care plans.
Elmys Silvia Navas from family reimbursement we have opening for Queen and Brooklyn we are accepting applications. Please feel free and contact me at 917-324-6825 or 718-789-7539
Goodwill- opening in Harlem Dayhab without walls
Summertime Gallery – an art studio + gallery for artists with and without disabilities pushing towards a more inclusive art world. We currently have two exciting groups we have during the week.
Studio Hours is a virtual group where we use different prompts, materials, and mediums to create art together. This is less of a step by step class but more of an art family/community where artists encourage and support each other.
Our second group is Art Walks + Talks. This hybrid group consists of visiting art museums or galleries in person every other week, and the opposing week we are virtual and create art using inspiration from the week prior. This group is great for those who want to immerse themselves in the NYC art world.
These groups accept Self-Direction and fee-for-service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to anna@summertimegallery.org or check out our website at Summertimegallery.org
Open the Lid– We offer Individual and Group, Web-Based Empowerment Classes that teach self-regulation, self-advocacy and communication skills in a supportive, inclusive community with neurodivergent people and allies.
Open the Lid Web -Based Empowerment Classes for any age, label or location
VIRTUAL COFFEE: HTTPS://www.openthelid.com/coffee
FREE TRIAL www.openthelid.com
EMAILsupport@openthelid.com
CALL/TEXT 607-339-8092
CARES Article 16 and Article 31 clinics– FSS Grant in Brooklyn and are able to provide free evaluations for individuals looking to obtain OPWDD eligibility. Please contact me at pratz@caresnyc.org or 212-420-1970 ext. 123
MTA Accessibility Coming Soon OMNY Reduce Fare Training Please Contact Sara Bahri Systemwide Accessibility sara.bahri@nyct.com set up date time on zoom Please Update Reduced-Fare Metro Cards Information no photo need https://new.mta.info/fares/how-to-apply-reduced-fare-metrocard need print out page only address phone and email address mail Mail to MTA Reduce Fare 130 Livingston St Brooklyn Ny 11201
reduce fare OMNY go on https://reducefare.mta.info/omny-registration
if need to Presentation Disability systemwide email accessibility@mtahq.org seniors Call mta Government 646-252-2660 link omny.info Baby stroll my mtainfo/accessibility
Please visit the MTA website for the redesign of the new buses from the Bronx into Manhattan. New elevator in Times square.
NY foundation for seniors– Home care program is looking to talk to people who are interested in housing
Metro community health centers-4 centers available in Staten Island, Manhattan, Bronx and Manhattan dental
Lifespire has immediate openings in behavior management and parent training in Manhattan. Email Jay Kleinman at jkleinman@lifespire.org for further information or to make referrals
Anchor Health – Independent from OPWDD. We service both children and adults(contact info in chat) At Anchor Health, we provide compassionate, skilled, person centered home care services to individuals and families.
Anchor’s home health aids are trained in crisis intervention, IDD and mental/medical health and are supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. Our home health aids make it possible for people to live more satisfying lives in their homes. We are Medicaid funded and are independent from OPWDD. I can be reached at 347-709-9181 or psych1325@gmail.com for assistance or inquiry.
Gateway Counseling Center– We currently have openings for Group Day Hab site-based and Without Walls, Supplemental Group Day Hab, Pre Vocational (Pilot program), and Community Habilitation for Manhattan. To make a referral, I can be reached at (929) 237-7222 or via email mary.tejada@gccnyc.org
III. State News –Samrawit Tadesse
- World Autism day was April 2nd. April is Autism acceptance and awareness day. Please watch the OPWDD social media pages for informative information
- Over the summer a survey will be going out to stakeholders regarding the strategic plan.
- November will be a yearly summary of the strategic plan
- June 10th Get outdoors and get together day will be in the summer across the state.
- New York city location is the River bank state park in West Harlem
- Work force innovative; OPWDD is responding with a variety of opportunities funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Partnering with SUNY NY to have micro credential programs launching this month!
- Launching a state-wide recruitment plan.
- OPWDD is partnering with NADSP for certification
- OPWDD is planning on holding community forums regarding DEI . The forum will be with new American and Asian communities as they may not be aware of OPWDD and the services available.
- A pilot program will be working with the Asian American families
- HCBS waiver update. May 11, 2023 the public health emergency will be ending. OPWDD will provide guidance as to what flexibility will be ending.
- The target date for federal date of amendments is October 1st 2023. There will be space to public comment after that.
V. City News – Gavin Meyers
- No report this month
VI. IAC Report – Richard Bosch
Education
- SED has been very cooperative and has approved all of the asks that we have put in. We await the final decision from the division of budget
- Seeking 12-14% funding raises for schools
- Early intervention – push for 11% increase in funding
Budget Status
- We are still waiting for final information
- IAC conference is June 7th and 8th at the UJA conference center on 59th St. Many great speakers will be there. Registration should be this week.
- Eligibility legislation is going into effect June 20th. People signing up for eligibility need to have an answer with 120 days.
- Appendix K fixabilities will be coming to an end on May 11, 2023.
- CMS is coming to visit OPWDD to see how we are doing on the new changes in the waiver program.
- Comm Hab R will be ending November 11,2023 in the residences unless the individual is elderly, frail or has complex behavior issues
- June 2023 Medicaid automatic coverage will be ending.
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools (Chris Treiber)
- Seeking 12-14% funding raise for schools
- Early intervention – push for 11% increase in funding
VIII Committee Reports:
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Jackie attended the Rally in Albany. They brought 25000 posters and equality pins. There was enough for everyone It was very exciting and meaningful to see so many people there who are served by OPWDD and who work in the field. There were many legislators who spoke and it was very moving.
Statewide is Wednesday April 26th 11AM-3PM. We are looking for people who are interested in public comment. We will be sending the information to our Acting Statewide Chair. If you are interested in speaking from 2PM-3PM please reach out. This meeting is in person in Albany. There is will also be satellite places and a zoom option.
State wide FSS meeting Wednesday April 26th 11am – 3pm. LINK Below
Meeting Information
Meeting Link:
.
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Luisa Eusse-Roché
May 17th the next meeting is about applying for services. From 10AM-12PM. We will be using the same link as before.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
Lynn Decker will no longer be co chair of this committee. If you are interested in being more involved please reach out the Kathy.
Transition Committee Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David Summers
-“April Is Transition Month!” – presentations throughout the month of April led by adult service provider organizations. All meeting links posted on manhattanddcouncil.org and being sent out on the DD Council email list.
-Updated directory of adult services for Manhattan residents with I/DD also available on manhattanddcouncil.org, and email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov if you’d like to have your organization’s info included in this directory.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:
David Summers, AHRC NYC, david.summers@ahrcnyc.org
Andrew Harris, P138M, aharris27@schools.nyc.gov
New Business
Legislative Breakfast 2023
Our annual Manhattan provider and resources fair is Wednesday June 14th. From 9:30AM-2PM. IN PERSON.
Doors open at 9AM. We will have vendors from different agencies. We will have many workshops. Admission is free; however, we ask you to pre-register.