Minutes Clarification – In the February Minutes it was said that students aging out of Department of Education programs may begin adult services before they graduate. Neil Coffina, District 75 Office of Transition, pointed out that though it is true that if a graduate wishes to leave school early he or she may do so, this is not recommended or encouraged by the DOE. Leaving school early does not give the student the opportunity to complete his/her program with the DOE and it does not give closure to their life with the DOE. It can make for an abrupt transition from the DOE to adult services.
Announcements – Program Vacancies
See the attached Adult Day/Vocational Vacancy List and Medicaid Service Coordination Vacancy List for available opportunities.
Other Announcements
District 75 is sponsoring the annual EPIC Conference and Best Practices Fair on Saturday
Saturday, May 14, 2011. It will be held at P94M@PS276, 55 Battery Place, NY, NY 10001. This is a city-wide information event for children with developmental disabilities and their families. Over 40 agencies are expected to be represented. There will be workshops for parents, as well as activities for children, ages 5 -21. Agencies wishing to reserve space for a display should contact Sasha Inglis, SInglis@schools.nyc.gov. See the attached flyer for further information.
Governor Cuomo announced this week the nomination of Courtney Burke as the new Commissioner of the Office for People with Development Disabilities.
YAI is holding its annual international conference on May 2 through 5, 2011. This year the theme is “Bridges to Success in Developmental and Learning Disabilities.” To learn more about the conference or to request a brochure call YAI LINK.
YAI’s Family Support Series for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders has announced the spring schedule. Please refer to the attached flyer for dates and topics. Pre-registration is required by calling YAI LINK, 212-273-6182.
Guest Speaker – Allen Rosen, Administrator of YAI Home Care Services
Overview:
YAI is the only agency for people with developmental disabilities in the state of New York certified as a Home Health Service. The YAI program can provide services to all but it specializes in working with the developmentally disabled population, which many traditional home health services do not do. The program is approved by Medicare and Medicaid to provide services without prior approval.
The YAI Home Care Services does not include Home Attendant or Housekeeper services. For these services the person must have his/her physician complete an M11q form and then apply through CASA. Medicaid Service Coordinators can assist the individual with this process.
Children under 18 with high intensity medical needs but who do not qualify for Medicaid can apply for the Care at Home Waiver, though there are limited openings. For information on this Waiver, contact OPWDD, the Department of Health, or SKIP of New York.
For individuals who require on-going care who are eligible for a nursing home and are not in the HCBS Waiver, there is the Long Term Home Health Care Program, also known as the Lombardi and Nursing Home Without Walls Program.
YAI Home Health Care Services Offered:
• Provides Home Health Care in person’s home including RN and therapist visits when there is a medical need.
• Can provide RNs, and physical, occupational and speech therapists.
• Can supplement professional care with paraprofessional home health aides.
• Care can be provided in a family home, a community residence, an IRA, a supportive living unit or family care, as long as there is no duplication with other OPWDD services.
• Care is provided until there is no longer a medical need for the services.
• Services can be put into place within 48 hours but need must be approved by person’s personal physician.
Nursing Services Include:
• Medication preparation
• Insulin or other injections
• Wound care
• Diet supervision, however, the Home Health Care provider is not a nutritionist.
• Assessment and ordering of equipment and supplies
Therapy Services Include:
• Therapies for rehabilitative purposes – stroke, broken limb, etc.
• It is not a supplement for other therapies.
• Once the person’s condition has reached a plateau, he/she must be discharged.
Home Health Aide Services Include:
• Paraprofessional who comes into the person’s home and assists with feeding, toileting, bathing, and other activities of daily living.
• Service can be in conjunction with other services (nursing and therapy).
• Cannot replace home attendant.
When to refer person to Home Health Services:
• If consumer is in hospital and will require care after discharge, notify the hospital discharge planner that consumer requests YAI Home Health Services.
• If family or consumer needs help with medication compliance, wound care or blood sugar monitoring.
To obtain services, call the YAI Home Health Services at 212-255-4040. Be sure to have the following information available: consumer’s address, living arrangement and contact person; their diagnosis; physician’s contact information; and insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, or other)
Mr. Rosen is available to speak to families, agencies, and schools. If you have questions about which is the appropriate service for your consumer or family member, you can contact him at 212-273-6220.
Update on 2011 Graduates
P721 – Larisa McGee, Transition Coordinator
33 graduates, only a quarter have places at agencies
Many written evals have not been received from clinics, though the assessments were held several months ago.
P226 – Irene Kawamu, Transition Coordinator
12 graduates, no definite placements yet. Families and students are cooperate, have not heard back from agencies.
P138 – Illana Abramson, Transition Coordinator
8 graduates, five have definite places with day hab without walls programs.
P79 – Gloria Johnson, Transition Coordinator
35 graduates, no confirmed placements yet, still setting up appointments for evaluations and waiting to hear from agencies about referrals.
Outreach
P226, P138 and P721 had open school events on March 17. Several Transition Committee Members volunteered to attend.
Discussion
Some committee members had questions concerning Special Needs Trusts, how working affects SSI Benefits, the Medicaid Buy-In, Advocacy, and Guardianship. We will seek guest speakers to talk on these topics at future meetings.
Committee Co-Chairs: Kathy Kelly – AHRC – 212-780-2724, kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org
Kathy Beiser – Esperanza – 212-928-5810, ext. 103, kathy.beiser@esperanzacenter.net
Minutes Submitted by: Kathy Beiser
NEXT MEETING: April 13, 2011 – 9:30am
UCP – NYC, 122 East 23rd St.