- Introductions were completed.
- Minutes were approved; if you were unable to open them, they are available as always on the DD Council website (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
- Announcements: ATTACHMENTS
Sinergia
Education workshops for parents throughout July – see attached flyer for details.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
YAI
See attached for the LINK Memo, information regarding the Autism Family Support Series, the Health Education Workshops, the ASD Socialization Skills Group, and a workshop on Hoarding on 6/30.
YAI staff are also available to present to family members, caregivers, individuals, and professionals for free (Speakers Bureau); see attached for details.
Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
QSAC
Social Skills group for individuals with autism who are high functioning and live in Manhattan; transportation provided home by OPT (if student receives OPT services). See attached application.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
UCP of New York City
Project Connect vacancy list is attached, as well as a Front Door information session, and a free workshop on July 9 – “Using Visual Aids to Help Children Understand and Follow Routines.”
**As always – any agency announcements or non-fundraising events can be sent to manhattanddcouncil@yahoo.com to be included on the Council Facebook page (anyone) or Council website (dues paying members).
- State News
Donna Limiti reported that Acting Commissioner Laurie Kelley has resigned and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kerry Delaney will serve as Acting Commissioner while continuing in her current role.
In late June there will be a 2-day training on the Front Door, and the policy manual will be released. Meanwhile, OPWDD is working to fix stumbling blocks and to ensure consistent practices across the state. The manual will be available online. Acceptable authorization documentation: ISP, ISP addendum, or PISP. Providers have been invited to assist with Information Sessions. A video is being created to replace the current Information Session powerpoint.
Voluntary enrollment in DISCOs is slated to begin in Fall, 2015.
Marco Damiani reported on the new Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program (DSRIP). New York State has saved $17B in Medicaid expenditures, and of that, CMS and NYS are reinvesting $8 billion, about $6.4B in the DSRIP program. The DSRIP program would create regional patient-centered consortia, called Performing Provider Systems (PPS), which will be led by hospitals. The goal of the PPSs is to reduce both avoidable emergency room and hospitalization use by 25% over 5 years. PPSs would receive payment for reaching those metrics and driving down costs while maintaining quality. Providers, including DD providers, can join the PPSs. A letter of intent was released in May; NYS will review proposals over the summer and decide which PPSs will be authorized go forward.
Patients do not have to enroll in PPSs. Attribution (payment) for each Medicaid recipient will be determined based on the following tiers:
1. Case management/Care coordination provider (including MSC)
2. Primary care provider
3. Emergency room provider
4. Hospital provider
Note that hospitals lead the PPSs but are likely to be ranked low on the attribution. DSRIP payments will pay for value and outcomes and shared savings, not volume. There will be a 5-year glide path. Payments will take the form of per member/per month (PMPM) based on the number of people in the region. At present, DSRIP doesn’t appear to directly affect DISCOs. But when DISCOs begin to manage health care, DSRIP may play a role.
Hopefully, there will be good representation of OPWDD providers in the PPSs. Hospitals should try to work with us to prevent unnecessary emergency room and hospitalization use. Old data showed that 25% of OPWDD individuals served used emergency room service at least once within a one-year period. OPWDD providers need to be at the table for all DSRIP developments.
Marco will arrange for a DSRIP presentation at a future DD Council meeting. On June 18 IAC is hosting a videoconference on DSRIP. Registration is required. See Council website for details.
V. City News
Dr. Mary Bassett is the new DOHMH Commissioner.
The Local Government Plan meeting was held June 3. The boroughs’ role in the process is now complete. The Plan will be submitted to various bodies; once approvals are secured, the document will be circulated.
There will be an RFP from the city. The Department has not yet released the specifics.
Early Intervention is shifting to DOH Family and Children Services. This is simply an administrative change.
VI. IAC/Federation
Federation
The borough chairs and representatives met on June 2.
There was a city meeting, chaired by Janice Chisholm, to review and affirm the Local Government Plan. The basic elements of the plan were developed last year, and the boroughs tweaked and commented on that version. Participants did modify and affirm the top priority: 24/7 housing/residential services in any form.
IAC
The annual conference was held June 10 and 11.
IAC has released two position papers: on IT requirements in the future, and on needs of the field in a managed care setting.
IAC is pushing for changes in the Justice Center re false reporting and has achieved some results.
IAC will initiate quarterly meetings for the purpose of allowing borough chairs and representatives to develop and share advocacy plans and ideas.
- Committee Reports
Family Support – The Committee met June 12 and had a presentation from two non-OPWDD arts programs: plai theatre and Nordoff Robbins music program. The committee is working on securing a date for the next Family and Professional Resource Fair at the Hotel Penn. Some new parents attended the meeting, and members were able to help support them. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 9, 2014, 10:00 am-noon, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Information: Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234; abittinger@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative – The date for the 2015 Legislative Breakfast is Friday, March 13. See also under IAC report, above. Next meeting: to be announced. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition –The committee met June 11. Out of 100 2014 graduates, 60 are almost set. Another 17 do not yet have eligibility, partly because almost all the transition coordinators are new this year. Of the 60 who are nearly set, 25 are slated for supported employment. Because of the Front Door process, families must be more involved in transition than previously, and the schools cannot help as much.
Linda Blumkin pointed out that there is virtually no transition process for students in out-of-state residential schools. The DD Council will invite a Department of Education representative to discuss with OPWDDD the need for informing families of out-of-state students. Kathy Kelly volunteered to coordinate the development of a flier for families, giving practical advice on the transition process.
The committee will meet Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 9:30 at AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor, to work on outstanding issues for this year’s graduates. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council- The council met June 10. Elections were held for Council officers: Margaret Puddington was elected chairperson, and a 13-member Executive Committee was elected. The council also had a presentation on telehealth by Dr. Lela Mayers, Kathryn Butvick, and Carolyn Driscoll of Premier HealthCare. The next meeting will be in September, date to be announced. Information: Margaret Puddington 212-799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination – The Service Coordination Forum was very successful, with 150 people in attendance. Evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, with not a single person expressing dissatisfaction. Marco thanked Carol Lincoln and Irina Tuchina for their outstanding work on this event. Next meeting to be announced. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s Committee – Governor Cuomo agreed to a 3.8% increase for 853 schools. Legislators are beginning to understand that preschools are in jeopardy. The Queens borough president’s council is holding a meeting on the NYC Department of Education budget and program budget overview for District 75 schools. Tuesday, June 17. Next committee meeting to be announced. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Elections – The following officers were elected unanimously: Marco Damiani, chair; Marilyn Rubinstein, professional vice chair; Susan Williams, parent vice chair; Elly Rufer, secretary; Jessie Backe, treasurer. Marco expressed his intention to increase participation among agencies and encourage others to step up to leadership roles in the future.
Executive Committee – There will be an Executive Committee meeting July 10. Time and place to be determined.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 11, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor.