l. Introductions were completed.
ll. 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 : DD Council February 2015 attachments
The New York Foundling
Families Offering Care and Unconditional Support (FOCUS) is a program with the goal of bending the curve away from traditional care, and focusing on community-based, long term supports and services (LTSS) for children and youth between ages 5-21 with I/DD. Services are provided in the home, services are coordinated with the current service providers, school, and community resources. See attached for details.
QSAC
Current program openings are attached.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
YAI
Parent phone in support groups for all caregivers, regardless of family member’s disability diagnosis. Contact Kate Macaluso at 212-273-6242 or kate.macaluso@yai.org.
Adult Yoga Group and Children’s Social Skills Group available through the YAI Autism Center. Contact Laura Mitchell at 212-273-6211, or laura.mitchell@yai.org.
Free open workshops every Wednesday on navigating the system for people with developmental disabilities. Drop in at 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call 212-273-6182, or link@yai.org for referrals and any other information.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the DD Clinic.
UCP of New York City
Family Connect vacancy list is attached, as well as information for free workshops in February and early March, 2015.
**As always – any agency announcements or non-fundraising events can be sent to manhattanddcouncil@yahoo.com to be included on the Council Facebook page (anyone) or Council website (dues paying members).
Presentation: The NYS Executive Budget Update, by Wini Schiff, Associate Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, InterAgency Council
Wini explained that the InterAgency Council (IAC) is a non-profit organization representing providers, with 150 member agencies in New York City, Long Island, and Rockland.
2015-2016 Budget Summary
OPWDD:
- Overall, the OPWDD budget of $4.392 billion (State funds) is a reduction of $31 million (represents .7%) from last year’s allocation of $4.423 billion, which is primarily a reduction in capital expenditures.
- There will be a net increase of 50 full-time employees in the number of OPWDD state employees to improve some of the issues created by Front Door process and residential vacancy management issues.
- OPWDD is continuing with their plan to eventually close developmental centers, including the planned closure of OD Heck in 2015.
- Overall, there is a continued emphasis on providing services in more integrated environments, as well as the transition of community-based ICFs to more integrated services.
- $177 million in program spending from federal Balancing Incentives Program (BIP) funds. $62 million has already been awarded in grants to voluntary agencies and the remainder will be spent by OPWDD and the voluntary agencies on these BIP-funded initiatives. Most are one-time investments whose targeted purposes include:
- Incentivizing Employment
- DISCO start-up
- Technology investments
- Enhancing self-direction
- VAP ( community fund for emergency funds for agencies in fiscal distress due to new rate methodology)
- Continued by OPWDD after BIP:
- Template funding
- Electronic Health record ( State operations)
- Environmental modifications
- Enhanced family care funding
- Voluntary and OPWDD operated START programs
- $60 million (State funds) for development of new services–approximately $30 million of that is the annualization of services that were begun mid-year in 2014-2015. The remaining $30 million is targeted for new services for up to 3,500 individuals. This would include day supports for students graduating from schools, residential placements for students returning from residential schools and students graduating from Childrens Residential Programs (CRPs), and residential supports for individuals living at home with their families in both certified and non-certified residences. This allocation is pretty much in line with the amount in last year’s budget for new services. This money must accommodate all needs; there is no specification of how much is to be spent for each different service (e.g., how much for residential services for those who are aging out, how much for day services, etc.)
- Proposed legislation is included which is intended to meet State Education Department’s (SED’s) objections to implementing last year’s decision to expand the Nurse Practice Act to cover OPWDD funded services provided in uncertified
- There are funds to pay for the 2% increase for direct support staff in January 2015 as well as the 2% April increase for direct support and clinical staff.
- $42 million to transition 249 people from institutional to appropriate community settings—basically, moving from developmental centers (DCs) to community settings. In addition, these funds will be utilized for 13 pilot programs in which 100 State employees will provide less than 24 hour supports: 3 for community hab, 3 for SEMP, 5 for Pathway to Employment, 2 for at home waiver respite.
- Supported housing projects for apartments–about $5 million ( same as last year)
- Also $750, 000 in Department of Health (DOH) for transportation resource needs assessment.
- Holds administration to prior year level and reduces overtime in State operations.
State Education Department (SED):
- Preschool and 853 Tuition: There is nothing in the budget that speaks to an increase in tuition for either non-public school-age (853) or non-public preschool (4410) providers. We should know by May, if SED and DOB are recommending such an increase. Over 2 years, statewide 853 and 3310school providers have lost $110 million. 4410 preschools have not received an increase for 6 years; 853 schools got a small increase in the last 2 years, following 4 years without an increase. Currently, 3 IAC member preschools are seriously contemplating closing.
- Preschool Special Education Reforms. The bill would authorize SED to establish regional rates for the Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) program (based upon actual attendance, instead of enrollment) to be phased in over a four-year period starting in the 2015-16 school year.
- School District Mandate Relief. The bill would create a new waiver process that would allow school districts, BOCES, and approved private special education programs to petition the State Education Department for flexibility in meeting certain special education requirements. In effect, the bill could reduce state special education requirements down to the federal level.
Early Intervention:
- Department of Health (DOH) budget calls for a 4.8% reduction in EI allocation from $167 million to $159 million. This only represents State funding and does not include local municipality or private share. IAC has been informed this does not represent a decrease in rates. It more accurately reflects actual usage. Last year also had an extra appropriation to accommodate a one-time occurrence of adjudicated claims.
OTHER:
- An OPWDD Transformation Panel has been created to:
- Make recommendations as to how we should build our system to better support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities now and into the future
- Examine the challenges we face in implementing the Transformation Agenda
- Review how OPWDD proposes to offer managed care prior to our formal request for federal approval
- Ensure OPWDD’s long-term fiscal sustainability
- Part N of Article VII bill (Health/ MH) calls for public input concerning the creation of an Office of Community Living—under the office of the Aging. Its intent is to improve the quality of community living for older adults and persons of all ages with disabilities, as well as strengthening the No Wrong Door approach to accessing information and services.
Elly Rufer, co-founder of NYC Fair, explained that the mission of this fledgling organization is to augment and ignite family advocacy. Families are invited to a NYC Fair meeting February 18, 2015, 6:00 p.m., at IAC, 150 West 30th Street, 15th floor, on the NYS Budget, to be presented by Peter Pierri, IAC’s Executive Director. Spanish translation will be available.
Margaret Puddington urged families, self-advocates, and professionals to participate in Manhattan Family Advocacy Day. See below, under Legislative Committee.
- State News
Liz Cambra announced that OPWDD is working to help with the transition of FEGS services to other OPWDD providers in the wake of FEGS’ closing. 2,500 individuals receiving residential, day, MSC, clinic, and prevocational services are affected. Logistics are being worked out. A formal announcement will be issued once the transition has been finalized.
OPWDD has issued an RFS for change of auspice for 5 Catholic Charities residences in Queens and Brooklyn. A Queens committee is reviewing the proposals.
Ongoing training is being provided to MSCs about the new Front Door procedures. The next trainings will be 10:00-noon on March 12, 16, and 25. Preregistration is required; to preregister, call the Front Door at 646-766-3220.
Liz reminded people about the new Front Door Service Amendment now in effect. Service coordinators or PCSSs must complete the Service Amendment form for people who currently receive a waiver service but are seeking a change or an additional service. The form should be submitted to the appropriate borough’s e-mail box:
- Manhattan: serviceamendment@opwdd.ny.gov.
- Bernard Fineson: serviceamendment@opwdd.ny.gov
- Brooklyn: serviceamendment@opwdd.ny.gov
- Staten Island: serviceamendment@opwdd.ny.gov
- Bronx: serviceamendment@opwdd.ny.gov
There are 120 people left at the Bernard Fineson developmental center. OPWDD will issue an RFS for community residential services for those people.
Liz introduced Bob Lopez, Deputy Director for Manhattan. He can be reached at 646-766-3222.
Lynn Decker requested that Liz provide an answer at the next DD Council meeting as to when the moratorium on new self-direction proposals will end.
Linda Blumkin recommended that formal requests to the Commissioner for information be posted on the Council website. Answers would need to be shared statewide. Linda also recommended the creation of a parent-run statewide group on the model of NYC Fair.
- City News
Sandra Piggee announced that the city will transition its FEGS programs to the same agencies chosen by OPWDD in order to maintain consistency and stability.
DOHMH Commissioner Mary Bassett announced that in order to protect and promote the health and well-being of families and children, she has created the Division of Family and Child Health, led by Dr. George L. Askew. This division includes the Office of School Health, Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, and Division Administration; the Bureau of Early Intervention (EI), under the leadership of Dr. Marie Casalino, has now become part of this division. EI was formerly under the Division of Mental Hygiene. This move will enhance EI’s connections to other parts of the system serving families, while optimizing its impact on mental health in early childhood through ongoing collaboration between Family and Child Health, and Mental Hygiene.
VI, IAC/Federation
IAC: See above for report on Wini Schiff’s presentation.
Federation: The next meeting will be held in early March.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: Michelle Lang has agreed to co-chair this committee. At the February meeting, Kathleen Kingston and Ilene Sacco, OPWDD, presented on changes in the Front Door procedure. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. For more information, contact Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234; abittinger@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative: The committee has met 3 times in the last month to plan the Legislative Breakfast and Family Advocacy Day. The format of the Breakfast will be somewhat different this year. The committee will meet today, following the Council meeting.
Families, self-advocates, and professionals are urged to participate in Manhattan’s Family Advocacy Day when, following a briefing at IAC, participants will disperse in small groups to visit their legislators and discuss budget issues. To participate, please contact Margaret Puddington, 212-799-2042, Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
- Manhattan Family Advocacy Day, Friday, February 27, 2015, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, IAC, (150 West 30th Street, 15th floor)
- Manhattan Legislative Breakfast, Friday, March 13, 2015, 8:00-10:00 am, Barnes and Noble, 33 East 17th Street, Union Square
For more information, contact Jim Malley (212) 928-5810; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition: At the February meeting, the topic was the Front Door and the MSC’s role in assisting people through the process. There are only four 2015 graduates who do not yet have OPWDD eligibility. The committee will no longer hold Student Information Exchange meetings because of the Front Door process. Students should be encouraged to tour day programs far in advance of graduation; they should not wait to complete the Front Door process first. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 5th floor, Room 504 (different room). For more information, contact Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council: Families and self-advocates are encouraged to attend Manhattan’s Family Advocacy Day and Legislative Breakfast (see above, under Legislative Committee). Therefore, no Council meetings will be held during that period. For more information, contact Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: At the last meeting, Kathleen Kingston presented on the changes in Front Door procedure. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 19, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room.
Topic: Lateasha Foster, Crisis Respite program at Paul J. Cooper Center for Human Services. For more information, contact Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children/Education Committee: Lori Podvesker of Resources for Children with Special Needs, has agreed to co-chair this committee, formerly called the Children’s Committee. The next meeting is being arranged; date to be determined. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org
Outreach & Family Engagement: The committee is engaged with the planning for the Legislative Breakfast and Family Advocacy Day. The next meeting date will be determined. For more information, contact Lynn Decker (917) 575-5166; lynn_decker@me.com.
VIII. New Business
Peggy Groce announced that July 26, 2015 is the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bans discrimination against people with disabilities. Among planned events: Disability Pride Parade July 12; Legacy Tour in NYC presenting disability history July 13 and 14.