- Introductions were completed.
- Minutes from the last meeting were approved; if you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements : Flyers Distributed
YAI
Information is attached for vacancy highlights, Crisis Services, a parent support group, family reimbursement funds, Project Grown-Up, “You and I: A Social Skills Training and Networking Program” for people 21 and over, Emergency Respite funds, and “The Ultimate NYC Developmental Resource Guide” on 12/16/16 ($200 per person). YAI also has a contract with the DOHMH for people in Manhattan who are uninsured or under-insured, to conduct psychologicals, psychosocials, and autism evaluations (evals can be used to obtain OPWDD eligibility).
For more information about these programs, or the Autism Family Support Series, Autism parent support group, an Adult Yoga group, psychological evaluations, and all other services, call YAI Link at 212-273-6182, email link@yai.org or go to www.yai.org/link.
QSAC
Current program openings are attached; call 718-728-8476 for more information.
Hawthorne Foundation
See attached for details on in-home behavior management services for people ages 3-21, living in Manhattan. Must be OPWDD eligible.
UCP of New York City
Vacancy list is attached, along with information about overnight respite and family reimbursement. For more information, email projectconnect@ucpnyc.org or go to www.ucpnyc.org
Sinergia
Free psychological and psychosocial evaluations in Manhattan for people who are looking for OPWDD eligibility. Evaluations can also be done in the home, and over the weekend. There is also availability in Family Support Case Management. See attached for more information about both programs.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Center for Human Development & Family Services (CHDFS)
New respite space available; also providing hourly respite, MSC, and other services. For more information, go to www.chdfs.org.
Other Council Business
Volunteers are needed to help keep the Council website and Facebook page active and up to date. If you are interested in helping, or learning what would be needed, please email manhattanddcouncil@gmail.org.
DD Council dues are due! The invoice for provider agencies is attached. Paid members will have their agency’s non-fundraising events listed on the Manhattan DD Council website’s calendar of events.
Presentation/Discussion by IDNYC with Rebecca Rothman Klein, Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, IDNYC Program :
IDNYC is a municipal ID card, with one million cardholders. The police accept the card as identification when a person is stopped on the street. The card includes an emergency contact. Rebecca explained that there is currently a proposal to add an autism label as well as medical indicators to the IDNYC card, primarily in order to improve interactions with the police. Rebecca came to Council seeking feedback. She said such an indicator would be added to an individual’s card only with informed consent. There would be no verification of the indicator.
Council members raised the following issues.
- If this is an attempt to gain protection, others with IDD besides those with autism could benefit. It would be unfair to limit this to autism.
- Protection vs. privacy: many people use the card as their primary ID; the label would unnecessarily compromise their privacy.
- Based on self-reporting, the label would lack credibility. Could be an abuse if not verified, but verification is not a realistic possibility for IDNYC to undertake.
- Training of police on the meaning of the label would be essential, but quite difficult to accomplish.
- To avoid a stigma, the card could have a code or a different color, which could also be used as an alert to call the emergency contact for people who have guardianship. Again, training of police would be essential.
Contact Rebecca Klein at kleinr@hra.nyc.gov if you want to share additional thoughts.
- State News – Donna Limiti
- OPWDD is developing a mechanism to secure funding for additional staffing for individuals with high needs who are entering residential services for the first time. The agency would have to justify need, the regional DDRO would review, and central office would approve. The funding would be renewed every 6 months. OPWDD hopes to begin this initiative in January.
- Respite rates. The current rates do not match the needs of individuals. Now in draft is an ADM that would look at 5 or 6 categories (e.g., in-home respite, site-based, high behavioral needs, etc.) and develop different rates for different categories vs. the current single rate. Many providers feel the current rates are not adequate. CMS would have to approve.
- For the $2.8 million statewide that OPWDD set aside for residential services for people living at home, there will be an RFA in 2017. The RFA will include each district’s allocation and priorities.
- Conflict-free case management: plans are still in the works. OPWDD submitted a transition plan to CMS stating that a plan is being developed under which care coordination will come from a separate entity. Transition will occur over the next few years. There will be tiers of case coordination for people with fewer needs progressing to intensive needs. The health home concept is part of the vision and should be part of the RFA.
- City News – Sandra Piggee
Sandra reported that the new City Council-funded autism contracts are being processed and hopefully will be completed by the end of November.
- IAC/Federation – Suzanne Timmerhans, Jim Malley
IAC: Suzanne reported the following.
- The #bFair2DirectCare campaign is continuing, sponsored by COPA, the Coalition of Provider Associations including IAC. Historically, DSPs earned a little above the minimum wage, and the goal of the campaign is to maintain that differential between DSP salaries and the minimum wage. Direct support is not a minimum wage job.
- COPA has begun a new campaign to increase salaries of teachers and teacher assistants in the 4410 nonpublic preschools and the 853 nonpublic schools. Staff retention is a huge issue in both, where there are enormous vacancy rates. The Department of Education pays much higher salaries in the public schools and is recruiting teachers and teacher assistants from 4410s and 853s. The vacancy rate is such that some classes cannot open. Hundreds of children are not getting services. Jim Malley added that the counties are against the 4410 increases because they pay a large share. A significant 4410 increase would wipe out county funds. COPA is working to decrease the county contribution.
- Lobby days will be held jointly with other COPA members, with a unified message from all. February 28 will be leadership meetings; March 1 will be the primary lobby day.
Federation: Jim reported that there has been no meeting but there have been the beginnings of efforts to redefine the IDD role in Federation.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: Wendy de Leon reported that Linda Schellenberg of Center for Family Support gave an ISS presentation at the November 8 meeting. For the Fair, we need volunteers for various jobs. Also, volunteers will gather at the Fair location 4:00 pm on Monday, December 12, to prepare the packets. To volunteer, please contact Wendy or Yesenia Estrella. Because of the Fair there will be no committee meeting in December. The next committee meeting will be Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 10:00 am – noon, Sinergia, 2082 Lexington Avenue, 4th floor. Information: Yesenia Estrella (212) 643-2840 x 349; yestrella@sinergiany.org. Don’t miss the Fair:
Manhattan Family & Professional Resource Fair
Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue @ 103rd Street
Legislative: Jim Malley and Lynn Decker announced that the elections did not shift the balance of power at the state level. The Legislative Breakfast will be March 10, 2017. A new report on the Justice Center, endorsed by the Coalition of Provider Agencies, based on a survey of many providers, has identified several significant issues. Next meeting to be announced. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition: Kathy Kelly reported that the committee met November 9, when Connie Senior, YAI, presented on sexuality and social skills for adolescents and young adults. The committee has participated in several transition fairs. Next meeting: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, AHRC Redfield Center, 450 West 56th Street, 2nd floor. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council: Margaret Puddington reported that Donna Limiti gave an update on changes affected OPWDD services at the September 29 meeting. This generated much interest and families requested a second presentation to cover additional items. Part II of Donna’s update was held November 9 and was very well attended despite the fact that it was the day after Election Day. Next meeting: Connie Senior, YAI, on sexuality issues, January 18, 2017, 10:00 am – noon, Center for Family Support, 333 Seventh Ave., 9th floor. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: Next meeting: Friday, November 18, 2016, 10:00 am – noon, Contemporary Guidance Services (CGS), 52 Broadway, 4th floor. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s/Education Committee: No report. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.