Introductions were completed.
- 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
See attached fliers for more details.
Archcare: Employment vacancies in The Developmental Disabilities Clinic (DDC) at
Archcare at Terrance Cardinal Cooke
Resources for Children with Special Needs: Educational Advocacy: “How to Navigate the System,” and more topics. Free support.
YAI: Latino Conference on May 12, 2015. Vacancy highlights on Link website:
www.yailink.org
AHRC NYC: Many Opportunities: See attached list of program vacancies.
QSAC: Day-Hab Without Walls, Bronx and Manhattan. See attached list for more program vacancies.
Center for Discovery: Received a BIP grant for outpatient integrated assessment and treatment. NYC location for children with autism spectrum disorders, ages 5-18. See attached flier.
ArchCare: Received a BIP grant for Senior Life: all-Inclusive care for adults with intellectual
and developmental disabilities:
UCP NYC: Family reimbursement money available in Manhattan and the Bronx.
NYC FAIR: April Newsletter: Read at www.nycfair.org.
Urban Resource Institute: Openings for supported employment.
**As always – any agency announcements or non-fundraising events can be sent to manhattanddcouncil@gmail.com to be included on the Council Facebook page (anyone) or Council website (dues paying members).
Presentation: The Enacted NYS Executive Budget, by Jim Malley, Chair of the Manhattan Legislative Committee
Jim highlighted the following elements of the enacted budget:
State Education
Public Schools: The Governor’s special education proposal to waive NYS mandates that exceeded federal requirements was defeated again this year.
4410 Preschools and 853 Schools: The Assembly’s proposal for rate increases was withdrawn because it appears that the State Education Department might request higher increases through the usual process which exists outside of the budget.
Nurse Practice Act Exemption Expansion: It appears that the budget language will allow an MOU between State Education and OPWDD that would permit AMAP-certified staff to administer medications in non-certified settings.
OPWDD
$2 Million: The Governor had proposed $30 million, state share, for development of services, but much of that funding was earmarked for special populations, leaving insufficient funds for families whose children live at home. The enacted budget includes an additional $2 million targeted specifically for services for families in need with children at home.
$1 Million: This additional funding is for statistical studies of various types that will show where OPWDD is and where it needs to go (regarding the residential waiting list, the front door, sheltered workshops, people moving from developmental centers into community settings, etc.). This funding will also support the activities of the Transformation Panel. OPWDD will have to report to the Legislature on these efforts, which in effect reinstate the bills that the Governor had vetoed.
CMS Disallowance: The budget includes an $850 million payment to CMS against the recoupment of what CMS claims were overpayments for state-run services at developmental centers. This payment will be followed by 10 smaller annual payments. New York State, not OPWDD, will pay the money back.
Department of Health
Early Intervention: Early Intervention did not receive an increase. Suzanne Timmerhans of IAC pointed out that individual clinicians have picked up cases where schools have closed, so the children are being served, but the integrated model is being lost.
Article 16 Clinics: There was no restoration of the prior cut.
Jim explained that the entire budget cycle starts again in two or three months. During the summer OWPDD puts a budget request together. In the fall the Governor issues a call letter to state agencies spelling out what to expect. Around November the agencies submit their requests to the Governor, who then issues his budget proposals around January.
Although we did not get everything we wanted in this budget, we did get some increase and were not stagnant.
Marco mentioned some of the bills that IAC is now tracking:
- A.6388 (Abinanti) – Requires surveillance cameras with sound capability to be installed in all common areas of every program certified or funded by OPWDD.
- A.6380 (Abinanti) – Delineates the rights of people with developmental disabilities and facilitates legal recourse against providers for infractions.
- A.6387 (Abinanti) – Requires immediate reporting to 911 for all allegations of abuse, neglect, suspicious acts, premature deaths and more by mandated reporters.
- A.5325 (Glick) – Allows certified school psychologists employed in salaried positions by approved programs to conduct initial multi-disciplinary evaluations of preschool children without a license.
- S.4472 (Carlucci)/A.6516 (Gunther) – Enables the ABLE act in NYS so people with developmental disabilities can maintain savings accounts for qualified expenses which will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through existing sources.
- S.3634 (Ortt)/A.424 (Abinanti) – Requires that a Family bill of rights be posted in the facilities of all programs certified, licensed or operated by OPWDD
- S.2142 (Flanagan) – Establishes that all school districts are deemed approved evaluators of preschool students suspected of having a disability without the need to submit an application to SED.
Description of bills from IAC Newsletter
- State News
Donna Limiti reported that OPWDD will hold a conference on sheltered workshops on May 8 with sheltered workshop agencies, families, and participants to learn what people want. All 80 sheltered workshops are invited to participate. There will be 3 parties per agency: agency rep, parents, and participants
OPWDD has released its Vacancy Management Policy, regarding the filling of residential vacancies, to be implemented May 1. Initial training will be provided to Executive Directors, followed by training for the field. The NYC Region has been monitoring backfill activity, but the new policy will involve more centralized tracking by the DDROs which will make referrals to agencies. Spreadsheets will be utilized to track Priority I and II people. Agencies will be able to review the entire list of Priority I and II people and request referral packets for those people they feel able to serve. The hope is to fill backfills quickly and appropriately.
OPWDD received feedback that not enough families are represented on the Transformation Panel. To address this concern, families are invited to check the website under “Transformation Panel,” where they will find minutes of the Panel’s meetings and may then comment online.
OPWDD has completed the selection of agencies to take over the FEGS programs, but the process has been complicated because of court control of the bankruptcy proceedings, which has resulted in delays of the transfers.
City News
The Local Government Plan process, to capture the city’s priorities, has become more streamlined. The city hosted a productive planning meeting with representatives invited from the DD Councils and FSS Advisory Councils of all five boroughs on April 7.
- IAC/Federation
Suzanne Timmerhans reported that OPWDD has purchased licenses to offer 8 free online courses focused specifically on the Council on Quality and Leadership’s Personal Outcome Measures (POMs). The courses are available to 1,250 learners. Providers should submit 3-5 names and e-mail addresses of learners before April 30 to Christy.B.Faucher@opwdd.ny.gov.
The Interagency Community Independence Program is conducting a travel training program focused on a train-the-trainer model. So far, 80 agency staff have been trained. The program will also work with schools to provide additional travel training or route training to graduating students who have had instruction in travel training in school. For information, contact Glenn Godin at IAC 212-645-6360.
Recognizing the need to be more family friendly, IAC is seeking to hire a part-time family advocate to work with family groups. At IAC’s annual conference, three family members will be featured speakers.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: At the March meeting the committee discussed legislative activities and had a presentation by Nina Lublin, Resources for Children with Special Needs, on their services, including: advocacy, special education, training for families, high school Match program, Project Juvenile Justice System, Resources Line, Project Promise for Teenagers, educational advocacy, and summer fun fair. At the next meeting, there will be presentations by Best Buddies, Center for Discovery, and UCP’s housing assistance and home environmental modifications services. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Information: Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234; abittinger@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative: Jim Malley reported that over 200 people attended Manhattan’s Legislative Breakfast, which was co-sponsored by NYS Senator Hoylman and Assembly Member Gottfried. In attendance were Senator Hoylman, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, and representatives from the offices of Senator Gillibrand, Congresswoman Maloney, and the following state legislators: Senator Serrano, Assembly Members Quart and Glick, and others.
About 50 family members and others participated in Manhattan’s Family Advocacy Day, visiting Manhattan state legislators. There were positive responses to our positions from all legislators. Next year, the Executive Committee wants to conduct pre-budget legislative visits and to hold Family Advocacy Day closer to the release of the Governor’s budget. The Executive Committee would like to recruit a few DD Council members to take responsibility for organizing appointments with particular legislators. To volunteer, please contact Jim Malley or Margaret Puddington.
Next meeting: to be announced. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition: Kathy Kelley reported that fewer than 100 graduates will need OPWDD services. Most of this year’s graduates have gone through the Front Door. Patricia Webb, of OPWDD, is working with the schools. Only 4 students do not yet have eligibility established. The Front Door process is still slow. The schools have not made many referrals yet. The committee has increased participation from non-District 75 schools. At the next meeting Michael Higgins, from Advocates for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Clinic at Brooklyn Law School, will speak about their advocacy services. Next meeting: Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council: Margaret Puddington explained that there were no meetings during February and March in order to encourage families to participate in Family Advocacy Day and the Legislative Breakfast. At the next meeting, Brian O’Donnell, Regional Director, OPWDD DQI, will discuss how OPWDD oversees its certified programs. Next meeting: Monday, April 13, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, Sinergia, 2082 Lexington Avenue, 4th floor. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: At the next meeting Lucy Siderman, Entitlements Advocate for the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled, will present. Next meeting: Friday, April 17, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s/Education Committee: Lori Podvesker reported that 40-50 people attended the last meeting at which a representative from the Department of Education spoke on special education programs and transition from preschool to kindergarten; she also shared strategies. Lori stated DOE’s communication materials have improved, using more parent-friendly language. Next meeting: to be announced. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Family Engagement & Outreach Committee: Lynn Decker reported that much of this committee’s work dovetails with legislative advocacy and the promotion of emerging leaders. Lynn recommended that Council meetings include more parent-friendly themes and language. Next meeting: to be announced. Information: Lynn Decker (917) 575-5166; lynn_decker@me.com.
VIII. New Business
Linda Blumkin shared her experience with her daughter’s Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) interview. Linda concluded that despite the competence and patience of the interviewer, the assessment did not net much useful information. Linda questioned whether this tool, when used with people who have communication difficulties, can provide enough accurate information to ultimately yield an appropriate funding allocation.