I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes from January were accepted.
III. Announcements:
UCP
The vacancy list is attached. Please call 212.979.9700 ext.70 for more information.
YAI
The vacancy list is attached. The Latino Conference is coming up on March 6th at CUNY Graduate Center. The Conference is entirely in Spanish and free to all attendees. Please see attached for more information. Call YAI LINK at 212.273.6182 for referrals and any other information.
AHRC
The vacancy list is attached. There is a sibling cocktail party on March 12th.
Kennedy Child Study Center
Respite openings on Saturdays, see attached.
Resources for Children with Special Needs
Intensive educational advocacy available for Manhattan families. See attached flyer. For information, call 212.677.4650.
Susan Williams announced a pet therapy service, called Pet Partners (please see handout)
Elly Rufer is consolidating the council website. If you would like to change or add anything, please let Elly know: erufer2000@yahoo.com.
Christine Minerly of AHRC announced that her department is giving evaluations to aging adults with DD to screen for dementia or other cognitive issues. They must live with a family member to be evaluated.
Presentation
Budget presentation – Peter Pierri, Executive Director, IAC
Peter put the NYS budget in perspective, explaining that this year’s shortfall is $2 billion, whereas last year it was $10 billion. The Governor’s executive budget proposals include the following.
OPWDD
The proposed budget for OPWDD is flat, with no major increases or decreases. There are no COLAs or trends, but there is about $40 million for additional development: 5,900 opportunities for residential, day, and other services, of which 2,900 will arise from vacancies in existing services and 3,000 will be from new development. Specifically, these opportunities are for people returning to the community from developmental centers, people in out-of-state residential schools or at risk of being placed there, people aging out of residential schools, and other residential (mostly low cost), respite, crisis, employment, and community habilitation services. Additionally, there are 700 residential and day opportunities from previously appropriated funds. There is also $8 million for family support services, and $56 million for improvements to certified residential programs to meet fire safety codes.
The budget also contains a proposal for all human services agencies to cap state reimbursement of executive salaries at $199,000. Also for all human services agencies, there is a proposal for agencies to spend a minimum of 75% of their state-authorized payments on direct services, leaving no more than 25% for administrative expenses. The percentage to be spent on direct services would increase by 5% per year, reaching 85% by 2015. (The Governor has already issued an executive order to implement these two proposals, but subsequent legislation could supersede the executive order.)
OMIG/CQC
The OMIG budget would be cut 5%. CQC would gain 5 positions and a 24-hour hotline to report abuse.
Early Intervention
Over the last 16 or so years, there has been only one rate increase in EI services, and last year, there was a 5% cut. This financial crunch has resulted in several EI program closures. Many changes to EI are proposed in the executive budget. Insurance companies would have to pay for services that are normally covered in their plans, such as speech therapy, PT, OT. About 40% of children in EI have private insurance. The counties would be relieved of the administrative burden of contracting with EI providers, paying EI provider claims, and billing third parties. Instead a fiscal intermediary would be established, which would bill Medicaid and commercial insurance for covered services. However, providers would be required to join insurance networks and to negotiate rates with insurance companies; providers would have to accept the negotiated rate as payment in full. Families would not have to pay any part of the cost. The proposals would require providers themselves to file all insurance appeals while continuing to provide services. For services not covered by insurance, the provider would continue to get the state rate. Peter pointed out that the foregoing proposals could result in a cut to EI providers.
Additionally, the executive budget would require, with some exceptions, an arm’s length relationship between the evaluator and the service provider. The evaluator, service coordinator, and provider could not be part of the same entity. Peter pointed out that this would limit parent choice and that there are already checks and balances; moreover, this requirement runs counter to accepted medical/clinical practice.
As of April 2013, service coordinators would be required to ensure that the IFSP is implemented within 30 days and would also have to notify the local DDSO if a child is likely to be eligible for OPWDD services. If so, the child would be offered wraparound services from OPWDD; alternatively, the family can opt out of EI and receive services from OPWDD instead.
Preschool and Special Education
The executive proposals have no growth factor in 4410 preschool or 853 school-age programs to cover increasing costs. Other school programs have been exempted from the MTA payroll tax, but the executive proposal does not include 4410 schools. The executive budget contains a similar arm’s-length proposal for special education programs.
IV. State News
Richard Monck announced that OPWDD’s offices at 75 Morton Street will be closing by March 2013. OPWDD is looking at alternate rental spaces. Janet Zampella is acting director of Metro DDSO. The abuse registry bill for OPWDD regarding substantiated abuse and serious neglect has been signed and must be implemented within 180 days. Developmental Center closures and downsizing are continuing. MDU in Staten Island will be closing at the end of the year. The OPWDD budget hearing is on 2/14. The Commissioner will be testifying. There will be a pilot in the Capital District (Albany) in regards to GPS and video cameras in transportation vehicles. On 2/17, at Morton Street, there will be an 1115 Waiver meeting, for providers only from 1 PM – 3 PM, limited to 2 people from each agency. A reorganization video called “Employee Forum” is available on You Tube, explaining OPWDD’s dividing its operations into 2 separate regionalized divisions: state-operated and voluntary-operated services. Jill Gentile will be Associate Commissioner of voluntary services; John Gleason will be Associate Commissioner of state-operated services. As of July 1, the DDSOs will be dissolved and replaced by regionalized districts, each with a director and deputy director. Back-office oversight will be moved to Albany. There will be town hall meetings in each borough for state employees.
V. City News
The acting head of the Bureau of MRDD is Gerald Cohen, MD. He may be reached at GCohen2@health.nyc/gov.
VI. IAC / Federation Report
See above for Peter Pierri’s budget presentation.
Federation: The borough DD Council chairs met 3/8. There will be a Federation meeting on 3/14.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 13th at 10 AM at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th Floor. There will be a presentation on museum programs for people with disabilities. Call Amy Bittinger at 718-859-5420 x 234 for more information.
Legislative – The legislative breakfast will be on March 16th at Barnes & Noble at Union Square. The theme will be the family perspective. We will again organize a Family Advocacy Day before the Breakfast on March 2nd. The committee is meeting today after the DD Council. Call Judy DeIasi at 212-780-2667 for more information.
Transition – There was a meeting on Feb 1st where they held their annual student information exchange for the schools and adult day service providers. All of the District 75 schools as well as 2 private schools were represented. There were 7 family members and 2 students who also attended. Ten Adult Day Service agencies presented an overview of their supports and services and the schools and families had an opportunity to talk with them and provide referral packages for their students who are transitioning into Adult Services this year. The next meeting is on Wednesday, March 14th at 9:30 AM at PS 138 – 525 West 50th Street. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – Family Advocacy Day is Friday, March 2nd and the Legislative Breakfast is on Friday, March 16th. In order to encourage family participation in both events, there will be no Council meetings until April. Call Margaret Puddington at 212-799-2042 for more information.
Service Coordination – The committee met January 23, and Judy DeIasi presented on the 1115 Medicaid waiver. MSCs are invited to participate in this committee. The next meeting will be on March 26th at 10 AM at Esperanza, 516 West 181st Street, 3rd floor. Lois Gillman will present on OPWDD eligibility and MSC enrollment. MSCs will receive credit for attending this meeting. The MSC Forum is scheduled for May 7th. Call Irina Tuchina for more information. She can be reached at 212-273-6100 ext. 2418.
Children’s Committee – Marilyn Rubinstein presented on turning five and discussed special education reform at the last meeting. Most of the 37 people that attended were families. The next meeting will be announced. For more information, contact Christina Muccioli at 212-780-2532.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 12th, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor.