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
Elly Rufer
The new directories are up online now on the Manhattan DD Council website and facebook page.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
YAI
YAI Premier HealthCare is now accepting Fidelis. Psychiatry is available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. See attached for Family Support flier as well as well as a flier on Family Peer Advocates. Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
Marco Damiani announced the passing of Tom Dern, a leader in the DD field, particularly in the development of residential services.
QSAC
Program vacancy list is attached.
OPWDD
Liz Cambra introduced Ellen Bleckman and announced that she has replaced Lou Mazella. Her number is 646-766-3402.
IV. State News
Donna Limiti announced that OPWDD will be fully moved in to 25 Beaver Street by Monday, December 16th.. Subsequent to the meeting the following contact information was distributed.
The NYS OPWDD offices formerly located at 75 Morton Street in New York City have relocated to:
25 Beaver Street
3rd and 4th Floors
New York, NY 10004
Staff phone numbers have also changed. Below are key contact numbers. All numbers will be updated on OPWDD’s internal and external websites as changes are made.
DDRO Region 4 Administration…………………………………646-766-3466 Quality/Fiscal Management………………………………………646-766-3467 Division of Service Delivery, Capital Finance & NYC Commissioner’s Office…………………………………….646-766-3468 Audit Service……………………………………………………………646-766-3469 Quality Improvement……………………………………………….646-766-3470 DDSOO Region 5……………………………………………………….646-766-3471 Revenue Support ……………………………………………………..646-766-3472 Real Property……………………………………………………………646-766-3379 Front Door – Manhattan……………………………………………646-766-3220Donna reported the following:
The Acting Commissioner is hopeful that there will be a rate rationalization agreement with CMS this month.
Front Door surveys were sent to 1800 families, randomly selected. OPWDD will next survey providers. In the interim, OPWDD is looking at what can be fixed right now. Feedback from the surveys will be shared.
Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) is the tool OPWDD will be using in the future to assess the health and support needs of individuals needing services. CAS case studies have been completed. Now the instrument must be validated: 600 people will be receiving 3 different assessments to validate the CAS, which includes record reviews and interviews with providers. OPWDD will conduct CAS assessments.
The family support awards are being released. (See attached list of Manhattan awards.)
Self-directed community habilitation, where the family hires the worker but the agency does the training, seems to be successful in New York City. OPWDD is tracking this. Be sure OPWDD is alerted to all such cases.
Jennifer Shaoul advised Donna that the DDROs are inconsistent about whether people who are undocumented and do not have social security numbers are able to get family support services. Donna clarified that such people are eligible for family support, and she will ensure that her staff are aware of this.
When advised that the DDRO Front Doors are inconsistent about time frames required for LOCs for psychologicals and psychosocials, Donna stated that the most recent OPWDD document (see the attachment) still applies.
Marilyn Rubinstein asked Donna whether OPWDD is getting referrals from families of children under age 3 and if not, whether a double-check from EI would be helpful when the child ages out. Donna said she would look into this.
The Council had asked Donna to report on placements of people aging out of out-of-state residential schools. Donna reported that over the past year, from December 2012-December 2013, 99 students aged out. Of this number, 70% have been matched with providers. An additional 123 students are now in out-of-state residential schools. Of these, 37 will age out in 2014, and of these, 28 have been matched with an agency. Donna explained that an RFS was sent out inviting proposals for all aging-out students. In some instances, families reject provider offers because they prefer that their child remain at the school, but New York State cannot pay for out-of-state schools. OPWDD will approve in-state funding for adult services for an aging-out student if the provider is willing to keep the student. Donna also pointed out that many students are in out-of-state residential schools because they have significant challenging behaviors and are difficult to serve. She acknowledged that New York State does not yet have sufficient capacity to provide appropriate services. She added that now there are more resources within OPWDD dedicated full time to finding appropriate placements for residential students who are aging out. In Manhattan, the coordinator is Magdaline Brookes. Keeva Jackson supervises the NYC coordinators. Nina Baumbach is in charge statewide.
V. City News
No report available. Marco reported that the Council’s $3,000 grant request is still pending.
VI. IAC/Federation Report
IAC:
Travel training of up to 90 people has begun.
Everyone is awaiting the CMS review of the rate rationalization proposal submitted by OPWDD; meanwhile DOH is tweaking its numbers.
For prospective employees, background check compliance had been hampered by a backlog of thousands of uncleared submissions from July 1 through November. OPWDD has addressed the pile with reassignments and new hires.
CMS might require a return to daily rather than monthly billing for IRAs.
The coordinated effort to have legislators visit pre-schools is winding down.
On a local level, while funding remains constant (i.e., no increases), EI is being monitored by the Department of Health which appears surprised that the quality of service has decreased, and they want to publicize these results so that consumers can make an informed choice.
Four new IAC members bring the total membership to 155.
IAC is holding a Technical Conference on Jan 14.
The Acting Commissioner is coming to address IAC’s membership on January 30.
Lobby days are scheduled for February 25 and 26.
It’s a challenging year: DOB has called for zero growth budgets, the senate and the governor are talking tax relief, and the Feds are eying a return of up to $15B.
On the other hand, there are indications of some support for increases to the schools and for improving the lot of EI.
IAC is endorsing the inclusion of DD services under health and education ( which were exempt from the zero growth restriction last year and this). If successful, this does not guarantee an increase but may give the field a better shot.
Federation:
Did not meet.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The Family and Professional Resource Fair was a huge success. Had the biggest turnout ever: 841 attendees, including 380+ families. Marco thanked co-chairs Jennifer Shaoul and Amy Bittinger for all their hard work in putting this Fair together. He also thanked Kathy Kelly for handling the food, a much more challenging effort than in the past, and he thanked Trish Chapman for organizing the volunteers who helped guide people around the site. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 1/14/2014, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call 718-859-5420, ext. 234 for more information.
Legislative – The Council should start thinking about how we can enhance our Legislative efforts in this current climate. The legislative breakfast is scheduled for March 14th. If you have any thoughts, or you are interested in being involved with the Committee, please contact jmalley@esperanzacenter.com.
Transition – The Committee did not meet in December because the date conflicted with the Fair.. The next meeting will be on Wednesday January 8, 2014, at 9:30 at AHRC Fisher Center, 2080 Lexington Avenue, at 125th Street. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – There will be a meeting in January 7, 10:00-noon, at the Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125 Street, at Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, 2nd floor Art Gallery. This meeting is geared to new uptown families and will be an excellent introduction to family support services, presented by Janet Davis, Manhattan family support services coordinator. Please invite any Manhattan families who may be interested. See attached flier. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – The next meeting will be Friday, January 24, 10:00 a.m.-noon, at UCP NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor conference room. Eden Ruiz, UCP, will be discussing home modification. The MSC Forum will be held May 15. 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 met on 12/10. Eric Schnur from Flaghouse, Inc brought in and demonstrated toys that are appropriate for children from about 3 to 6 years of age, with or without special needs. Those present were able to purchase the toys at a discount, which he will extend through 12/31 to those who could not attend. This information will go out in a flyer to the committee mailing list. Next Committee meeting will be announced. For more information about the Committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE for Next meeting: Thursday, January 16th at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 12th floor.