Family Support Services Committee Minutes – 9/8/15

                                Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 10:00am– 12pm

Topic: Manhattan Family Support Conference Preparation
Location: YAI (Conference Room I)
460 W 34th, New York, NY

For More Information:  Amy Bittinger @ 718-859-5420 ext. 234/abittinger@ucpnyc.org

 

Click Here for flyers, etc,,, distributed at the meeting sept 2015 flyers fss ucp family reimbursement application manhattan FSS Flyer etc sept 2015

Announcements:

1. Michelle Lang, YAI, announced:

• Autism Parent Support Group is available (Spanish, English, and Mandarin).
• Resources & Supports Workshop is available (Spanish, English, and Mandarin).
• Independent Living Program is a 26 week course for adults.

For more information, call YAI Link at 212-273-6182.

2. Luis Nieves, Lower East Side Family Union announced:

• Currently have 5 openings for Non-Medicaid Service Coordination.

For more information, call 212-260-0040 ext. 1208.

3. Wendy De Leon, UCP of NYC, announced:

• Family Reimbursement available (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island).
• New Family Reimbursement application for Manhattan will be included with minutes.
• Supports and Services Flyer distributed.

For more information, call Project Connect at 877-827-2666.

4. Arshea Hall, The Children’s Aid Society, announced:

• Overnight Respite Camp is available for children ages 7-17 who are waiver or non-waiver enrolled.
• Overnight Respite Camp brochure was distributed.

For more information, call 914-238-4761 or email ahall@childrensaidsociety.org.

 

Discussion- Manhattan Family & Professional Resource Fair 2015

Amy Bittinger informed Committee venue for fair is the New York Academy of Medicine and a deposit was made. The venue will include three breakout rooms for workshops and two areas for vendors. Information regarding occupancy for each breakout and vendor room was reviewed.

Margaret Puddington announced the English version of brochure was almost complete. The brochure requires some font changes and a photograph. Amy Bittinger and Yesenia Estrella will search their databases for photograph. Yesenia is working on Spanish translation of Brochure.

The final titles and speakers for workshops were announced as follows:

• Hidden Treasures: Services and Resources to Help Your Family

Gary Shulman, MS Ed, Special Needs Consultant and Trainer

• Sexuality, Socialization, and People with Developmental Disabilities

Bobra Fyne, LMSW, Assistant Coordinator of Sex Education, YAI

• Guardianship and Future Planning

Randi Rosenstein Vacca, Esq., Director of Legal Services, AHRC

• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Back to Basics

Linda Schellenberg, Director of Community Services, Center for Family Support

• Tips for Successful Special Education Advocacy

Joanne Buccellato, Co-Director, Parent Training Information Center, Advocates for Children; Godfrey Rivera, Co-Director, Metropolitan Parent Center, Sinergia

• Getting Help Through Family Support Services

Janet Davis, Family Support Services Coordinator, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities; Kathy Kelly, MPA Health Care Administration, Director of Entitlements and Placement, AHRC, New York City

 

Michelle Lang will be able to send an email blast to families once brochure is complete announcing the Fair. She will also provide a list of professionals, who will be part of a separate email blast.

Wendy De Leon discussed vendor registration form. Sample form was reviewed by Committee and changes were made regarding pricing of tables, font and sequence of information.

• Translation-Margaret Puddington will check with DOE
• Raffles-Will happen during fair. Janet Davis will need tickets to hand out.
• A/V-Yesenia Estrella will get a quote regarding projectors for two rooms and if microphones/podiums are needed.
• Coat Check-Is handled by venue.
• Volunteers-Committee is looking for someone to coordinate volunteers.
• Directory-Nicole Riccio announced most entries were sent out to be updated. Committee will approach the City about making copies.
• Parent Bags-Bags will be purchased.
• Food-Yesenia Estrella will complete DDPC grant.