Next meeting: Change in date:
MONDAY, APRIL 7 at AHRC NYC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor, 9:30-noon
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 (February 2014 Council Attachments)
YAI
See attached for information regarding the Autism Family Support Series, the Annual Latino Health Care Conference on March 18, 2014, the LINK Memo, and the upcoming Family Education Workshops.
YAI staff are also available to present to family members, caregivers, individuals, and professionals; see attached for details.
YAI Premier HealthCare is now accepting Fidelis. Psychiatry is available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
IV. Presentation – NYS Budget Update, Peter Pierri, IAC
Peter reminded us that IAC’s Lobby Days are February 25 and 26.
Executive budget for OPWDD:
• No cuts or increases to provider rate.
• Developmental Center population to be reduced by 300. The nonprofits will serve these people, and OPWDD will try to respect individual/family preference of desired location.
• $35 million for new services. IAC is attempting to get a delineation from OPWDD as to how this money is intended to be used—e.g., how much for graduates, for people aging out, for people at home.
• OPWDD is changing payment methodology for individuals over 21 in residential schools: instead of tuition payments, OPWDD will pay for day and other services and require SSI to be used for room and board.
• Expand existing exemption in Nurse Practice Act to allow direct support staff to give medications in non-certified settings funded, authorized, or approved by OPWDD.
IAC recommendations for OPWDD:
• Additional funding for residential services for people at home and for employment and other day services. (Peter also mentioned that there is unspent development money left; IAC has suggested that OPWDD provide clearer guidance on how that money may be used.)
• Additional funds for a 3% salary increase for direct support professionals
• Additional $6 million for a tax credit to employers for hiring people with I/DD
Executive Budget for Special Ed:
• No increases for school or preschool. IAC position: Provide 3% increase for preschool.
• Regents recommendations on rates not included in budget. IAC position: Incorporate Regents’ recommendations. Peter explained that agencies are losing so much in preschool that several IAC agencies are considering closing their programs.
• School districts, approved private schools, and BOCES may apply for a waiver from any requirement in excess of federal law. IAC position: Do not allow waiving or loosening of mandates regarding such issues as classroom ratios and related services. Support loosening of administrative procedures but not of mandates that will affect the children.
• Establish regional rates for SEIT. IAC in support.
• Use attendance-based, rather than enrollment-based, SEIT rates. IAC in support.
• Establish competitive bidding for NYC SEIT. IAC opposes.
• IAC also supports including non-public schools and preschools in the Smart Schools act.
Executive Budget for Department of Health
• Budget does not mention Early Intervention. IAC supports a 3% increase in funding for Early Intervention.
Peter also reported that OPWDD is creating a Front Door manual for guidance and consistency across the state. OPWDD is considering allowing providers to conduct Information Sessions but only if the sessions were neutral, consistent, and free from conflict of interest.
V. State News
Ellen Bleckman reported that OPWDD is closing 2 state-operated residences on Roosevelt Island, where OPWDD lost its lease. There is an RFS for 11 people. Another RFS has been released for a state-operated Riverside Drive IRA for 10 people, where the state is losing its lease. The Brooklyn Developmental Center will close by the end of 2014.
Ellen then reported Liz Cambra’s answers to questions raised at the last Council meeting:
• OPWDD is conducting smaller Information Sessions at its offices at 25 Beaver Street. The next session: February 19, 2014, 10am-noon. Call Manhattan Front Door to register: 646-766-3220. Ellen added that smaller sessions could perhaps be geared to specific groups, such as young children. A statewide committee is re-looking at the presentation.
• The request for translation of the DDP2 has been brought to the attention of the statewide committee. Liz will follow up. The DDRO Region 4 already conducts Information Sessions via telephone for families who can’t attend in person.
• All residential vacancies must be approved by the DDRO before placement. Ellen added that OPWDD is creating a new vacancy management policy, to be released soon.
• OPWDD has not seen an increase in notifications or requests for eligibility from Early Intervention. Marilyn Rubinstein requested to know the number of NYC children, by borough if possible, born in 2010 or later, who have contacted OPWDD.
• Re eligibility: for a diagnosis of ID, the psychologist must provide the documentation. For other diagnoses, a qualified clinician must evaluate and document.
• Re how recent documentation must be for non-waiver services: the best practice would be to follow the same process as for the LOC – medical within one year, current and valid psychological, and psychosocial within one year. Ellen clarified that a current and valid psychological is one that reflects current functioning. The actual test must also be current. Ellen also clarified that the psychosocial must be within one year for LOC, but not necessarily for eligibility.
• Liz is seeking clarification as to whether there has been a change in OPWDD’s written policy that waiver is not required for a person who has respite/recreation only or SEMP only.
• Liz reported that currently agencies do not receive formal notification when a person is approved for a non-waiver family support service. This is still in discussion. If the family comes directly to the DDRO, OPWDD will process through the Front Door (depending on the service) and then be instructed to contact the agency of their choice. All individuals must go through formal eligibility.
• The request for videoconference trainings for agencies on such topics as CSS has been forwarded to the Central Office for consideration.
VI. City News
No report.
VII. IAC/Federation
The borough chairs are scheduled to meet on February 24, but that is a conflict with IAC Lobby Days. It is unclear whether Federation will be rescheduled.
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The Committee met February 11. At the committee’s request Jennifer Shaoul presented YAI’s presentation on accessing services, eligibility, range of services, Front Door, family support services, MSC, and waiver. The next meeting will be March 11, 2014, 10:00 am-noon, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor, where there will be presentations by programs outside OPWDD: Daniel’s Music, CO/LAB Theater Group, and Keoni Movement Arts.
Legislative – The committee had a phone conference on the Breakfast logistics. Barnes and Noble is confirmed. Invitations have been mailed. A committee meeting will follow this Council meeting.
Transition – The Student Information Exchange will be March 12, 2014, 9:30am-noon, at P79M, 55 East 120th Street. At the February12 meeting, the committee discussed preparing for the exchange. About 100 students will need OPWDD services this June, but two-thirds of those will choose supported employment. About 25 graduates will need site-based day services; about 15 will need day hab without walls. OPWDD’s transition person, Evette Herdsman, has been very helpful.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council– There will be no meetings in February or March in order to encourage families to participate in Family Advocacy Day and the Legislative Breakfast. Please see attached fliers. The next meeting will be in April.
Service Coordination – Marco Damiani and Margaret Puddington will speak on family advocacy at the next meeting: March 5, 2014, 2-4pm, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. The MSC Forum will be May 15.
Children’s Committee – The next meeting is to be determined.
Next meeting: MONDAY, APRIL 7 at AHRC NYC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor.