I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes from January were accepted.
III. Announcements
AHRC
AHRC and the New York City Department of Ed are celebrating 50 years of travel training. Please see attached flyer. The vacancy list is attached as well.
Kennedy Center
Please contact Julia Gomez at 212.988.9500 to find out about vacancies.
YAI
The vacancy list is attached. The winter schedule of the Family Support Series for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders is also attached, including workshops in Cantonese. Call YAI LINK at 212.273.6182 for referrals and any other information.
Camp Oakhurst
The vacancy list is attached.
EHCCI
Contact Larinda Hooks for vacancies at 212.410.7707 ext. 5284 or at lhooks@promesa.org.
MSC – Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn Medicaid. Saturday Respite – Manhattan; 8 – 21 year olds. Ambulatory – 6 availabilities.
IV. Presentation
Rachel Hayward and Judy Moiseff of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State gave a presentation on the marriage penalty and what it means to people with disabilities. Rachel and Judy explained that two people with disabilities who marry automatically lose 25% of their SSI. One way to protect themselves from this cut, is to not marry, thereby foregoing many of the benefits of marriage. Over 500 letters have been sent to politicians, a You Tube video was produced, a Facebook page was created and presentations have been done at conferences about this topic. Please see attached brochure. There will be a meeting to discuss the marriage penalty on March 16th from 3 PM – 4 PM at 75 Morton Street. You can also call into the meeting at 212.812.0859, passcode 6234533#.
V. State News
Stan Butkus discussed the Governor’s proposed budget cuts for OPWDD, including a $113 million cut for OPWDD and a $67 million cut in Aid to Localities. The Governor did not include trends or COLAs, but there is some development money for lower cost opportunities, averaging $12,000 per person.
In addition, the Medicaid Redesign Task Force (MRT) is expected to make recommendations for a $2.8 billion cut in Medicaid. The MRT has so far collected 1200 suggestions from its forums and website. Also, the recently created SAGE Commission will be examining ways to create efficiencies in state agencies, including merging agencies and/or functions.
VI. City News
There was no City report.
VII. IAC/Federation Report
Peter Pierri gave an update regarding the Executive’s proposed budget, and explained that the budget is written very differently this year: various additions and subtractions are not included, so the bottom line is deceiving. The cuts proposed this year are our biggest cuts ever, and a significant issue for our individuals, families, and providers. Last year there was a cut of $59 million, but there was also a trend and a Health Care Adjustment; this year there is a cut of $98 million in state dollars for “reform of financing” and no trend or HCA. In Medicaid-funded services this cut will be doubled by the loss of matching federal Medicaid dollars. The total impact to the voluntary agencies could be upwards of $200 million. An additional $40 million cut will come from delays in new development. OPWDD has flexibility in how to implement the cuts and is reaching out to stakeholders to try to find ways to minimize their impact.
Over 95% of OPWDD services are Medicaid funded, while only about 30% of hospital services are funded through Medicaid. Therefore, cuts to DD services are not the same as cuts to other types of services. Our goal is not to lose the federal contribution, to find a way to preserve that. The budget needs to be passed by April 1st, but it’s highly unlikely that it will happen then.
Regarding Early Intervention – The Executive Budget proposes to cut all early intervention rates by 10%. Early Intervention providers that provide over $500 thousand worth of services will have to become Medicaid providers and bill Medicaid directly. Providers will also have to bill third-party insurance companies. Parent fees have not been recommended. EI service coordination will be capitated and EI services will be billed in 15-minute increments.
Manhattan Family Advocacy Day will be Friday, 2/11/11 at 10 AM at IAC.
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The February meeting was well attended. The topic at the February meeting was the MSC enrollment process, presented by Metro’s Lance Galvin with Alex Sirotnikov. There was also a presentation by Rachel Aurich of the DDSO on rosters and the secure messaging system.
A correction to the FSS RFP was announced. Manhattan’s priority for Innovative Programs should read as follows:
Innovative Programs
Total Allocation – $88,500
We are looking for creative programming! Examples: Unusual Reimbursement, Sports/Athletic Programs, Inclusive Programs, Vacation/Respite, Sexuality Training, Skills Training, etc. Transportation must be provided, as appropriate.
Proposal cap – $50,000 for proposals with transportation
– $38,500 for proposals without transportation
The topic at the next meeting will be a review of DDP (developmental disabilities profile) forms. Upcoming topics at meetings through June will also include waiver and Medicaid enrollment. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 3/8, at 10am at UCP/NYC, 120 East 23rd Street, 5th floor. Call 212-979-9700, ext. 708 for more information.
Legislative – The date for the 2011 Manhattan Legislative Breakfast is Friday, March 11. The speakers will include a family who has a child who has gone through Early Intervention; a person whose a sibling is in a residence and in day hab; and a parent with a child at home who will need residential services in the near future. The Committee will meet on Friday, 2/18 at 9:30 AM at AHRC NYC, 83 Maiden Lane on the 11th floor. To join the Committee, email Judith.deiasi@ahrcnyc.org.
Transition – The January meeting was the Student Information Exchange, attended by some parents and students as well as transition coordinators and providers. The February meeting was not well attended due to a conflicting mandatory meeting for the transition coordinators. At the March meeting Allen Rosen from YAI will present on home health care. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 3/9 at 9:30 AM at UCP, 122 East 23rd Street, 1st floor boardroom. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – At the last meeting Al Kaplan, from AHRC, explained the budget process and some ideas for reducing cuts. The next meeting will be on 4/7 at 10 am at 75 Morton Street. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – The first meeting held on 1/24 went well with about 17 people in attendance. The next meeting will be announced. If you are interested in participating, please email irina.tuchina@yai.org.
Children’s Committee – No meeting in February. Chris Muccioli sent a list of names of potential parent advocates. The next meeting will be announced. For information about the Committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Website Update – Elly Rufer asked for the Council’s website info to be included on anything that gets distributed at meetings. It is manhattanddcouncil.org.
CHANGE OF DATE – Next meeting: Monday, April 11th at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 12th floor.