I. Introductions were completed
II. Minutes were approved; if you were unable to open them, they are available as always on the DD Council website (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
Lifespire
See attached for openings. Call Jay Kleinman at 718-454-6940 for more information.
YAI
The vacancy list is attached. The spring and summer 2013 schedule of the Family Support Series for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders is also attached. Save the date for the Summer 2013 Health Education Workshops. Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
Elly Rufer mentioned to everyone that if you are printing materials to distribute or send out, the Manhattan DD Council website address (manhattanddcouncil.org) should be on all material.
IV. Guest Speaker, Rick Guidotti, Positive Expsoure
Rick Guidotti is an award-winning photographer and the founder of Positive Exposure. Positive Exposure utilizes photography and video to transform public perceptions of people living with genetic, physical, cognitive and behavioral differences. Their educational and advocacy programs reach around the globe to promote a more inclusive, compassionate world where all differences are celebrated. Positive Exposure partners with local and international NGOs and advocacy groups. They work across sectors with health care professionals, educators, human rights activists, researchers, students, government agencies, and the public to raise awareness and build social and educational programs. For more information visit www.positiveexposure.org.
V. State News
Liz Cambra outlined some of the changes now in effect through the Front Door initiative. As of now, new people will go through the full Front Door process. All others will go through a shortened version of the Front Door. Everyone must have eligibility and a current DDP2 (within 2 years). If DDP2 is not current, DDRO staff must complete a new one via interview with family. Letters have been sent to agencies requesting the names of graduates they want to serve. Agencies should also contact families to apprise them of the new procedures. The Front Door will want to talk to the individuals/families and explain the different day services options. The Front Door will expedite the process for graduates. The names of students who haven’t yet gone through the Front Door should be given to the DDRO day services liaison:
Manhattan: Evette.Herdsman@opwdd.ny.gov; Brooklyn: Janet.Strauss@opwdd.ny.gov ; Bronx: Damari.Gonzalez@opwdd.ny.gov ; Queens: Nicole.Lopez@opwdd.ny.gov ; Staten Island: Barbara.Schubert@opwdd.ny.gov .
The Front Door Intake Unit contacts are:
Manhattan: 212-229-3132. Bronx: 718-430-0757. Brooklyn: 718-642-8576. Queens: 718-217-6485. Staten Island: 718-982-1913. The phones may not always be manned, but the DDRO is committing to calling back within 24 hours. Agencies may assist families to make the call. Agencies may be with the families when they call the Front Door, and they may also schedule a time for the call back so that they can participate.
Individuals already in the system and requesting a new service need to go through a shortened version of the Front Door. Individuals already in the system do not need to go through the Front Door for a change of vendor or a change in the amount of service, but if they are requesting a new service, they must go through the Front Door. They might not need to do the full Front Door procedure. Any changes will eventually have to be within a person’s PRA (personal resource allocation). Liz said that people in crisis—those at risk of harming themselves or others—should be served immediately if they are OPWDD-eligible, and they will try to expedite the Front Door process. Services in Article 16 and 28 clinics are carved out of the Front Door at this time.
Liz emphasized that the DDRO wants to reach families. The DDRO will come to agencies to meet with families. In addition to the information sessions for individuals and families listed on the OPWDD website, there is also an information session specifically for providers on June 19, 1:00-3:30 pm at 75 Morton Street. Individuals and families are strongly encouraged to attend trainings, but it is not obligatory. The Front Door must talk to them even if they do not attend trainings.
The DDRO is not accepting any proposals for new services (other than the family support proposals for the current RFP). Agencies wanting to provide new services must give the names of the individuals to be served to the DDRO Front Door.
VI. City News
No report
VII. IAC/Federation Report
IAC:
Chris Treiber reported on the following issues:
- 853 schools were given a 3% growth factor for direct care staff for this year. This is the first increase in 4.5 years.
- Preschools got no increase.
- Many preschool children are at home without services due to the moratorium on preschool admissions. The backup is now down from 319 children to 311. IAC is working on this issue.
- Nolan/Flanagan bill has been changed to delete an arms-length requirement for preschool special education evaluators and providers unless special approval from the SED commissioner were obtained. Also deleted was the requirement that preschool special ed executive directors be residents of NYS.
- IAC opposes mandate relief bill to eliminate parent member at preschool meetings.
- NYC DOE will be initiating a new procedure for the authorization of Nickerson Letters. DOE wants to ensure that all 853 schools, that propose to offer a student a placement in their program based on a Nickerson letter, agree to provide all related services as recommended on the student’s IEP and that the class ratio offers a comparable program to the IEP recommendation. The class ratio on the IEP does not need to match the 853 school but it must be comparable and offer appropriate peers.
- Turning 5: Some parents have been told they can get small classes only in District 75. This is not accurate. If a parent is so misinformed, he/she should e-mail turning5@schools.nyc.gov with a copy to afc.org.
- IAC is supporting the Weisenberg bill to restore the OPWDD fiscal base to what it was before the $90 million budget cut. The bill will not restore cuts to individual agencies.
- IAC is supporting a bill to stop the recoupment in Article 28 clinics.
- IAC is supporting a bill to provide tax credits for employing people with disabilities.
- IAC’s second annual conference was successful. There will be an IT conference in January and a third annual conference next May.
Federation:
Borough chairs met May 21 and discussed a report on the Local Services Plan which is due next week. New from the state this year is a requirement to come up with metrics—a way to measure progress toward the goal in each area. The state also rejected certain statements of need, including the need for new residential development, stating that these were not feasible. We contend that they are still legitimate needs.
There was a presentation on the Addiction Treatment Initiative, a cross-discipline (DD/SA) project being funded by DDPC and operated by AHRC. The city is trying to continue funding through local offices.
Department of Education 75: Ray Velez, who supports the District 75 parent coordinators, offered to be a liaison between the DD Council and the District 75 Superintendent to share information and resources. Contact Ray at rvelez6@schools.nyc.gov or call (212) 802-1614
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – Because the Church of St. Paul and St. Peter is not available this year, the committee is considering holding the Family Support Fair at the Hotel Pennsylvania. They are now in the process of negotiations. At the last meeting, there was a presentation by Clara Berg, who is the parent of a son who is deaf-blind with ID. She has developed the “Tell Your Story Project.” She showed how parents can tell their family’s story to an agency, legislator, etc. in three minutes or less in an effective way.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 9/10, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call Amy Bittinger at 718-859-5420, ext. 234 for more information or email: ABittinger@ucpnyc.org
Legislative – The DD Councils are considering organizing a coordinated city wide legislative effort over the summer, inviting Legislators to programs, going to visit Legislators in the their offices, and other outreach. The purpose is to establish a year-round relationship, this time not asking for any favors. We will also include our federal representatives. If you are interested in being involved, please contact jmalley@esperanzacenter.net or Margaret Puddington at 212-799-2042 or Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Transition – All 2013 graduates will have to go through the Front Door. Those who want day habilitation may need to justify why that option is essential. There are a number of graduates who have not decided on a service and a few who have decided not to seek service at this time. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9/18 at 9:30 at AHRC Fisher Center, 2080 Lexington Avenue at 125th Street. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information. Kathy.Kelly@AHRCNYC.org
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – An evening session meeting featuring former OPWDD Associate Commissioner Kathy Broderick was a big success. She talked about what is going on in the field with the recent budget cuts, the new reforms, and how it affects services for people with developmental disabilities. The next meeting will be announced. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination – The MSC Forum at PACE University was a huge success. The new location worked well, we had great speakers and workshops. To participate on the Committee or to become involved in any capacity, please contact Carol Lincoln at clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s Committee – The Committee will meet again in September. For information about the Committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Next meeting: Thursday, July 25 at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor.