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
Ohel Family Services
Rick Guidotti of Positive Exposure, created a calendar for Ohel.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
YAI
The summer 2013 schedule of the Family Support Series for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders is attached. The summer 2013 Health Education Workshops for professionals are in progress. Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
Elly Rufer mentioned that brochures or fliers in any language should be emailed to her to go up on Manhattan DD Council website.
Jim Malley announced that the borough transportation reimbursement funds were used up in May and will start again in July.
IV. State News
Donna Limiti announced that the new acting commissioner of OPWDD is Laurie Kelley. She also announced the retirement of Lou Mazzella.
Donna mentioned that regarding the information sessions, NYC has already met its target of families and individuals for the second quarter. An important goal of the sessions is to introduce the concept of self-direction.
Funding allocations have been distributed: $11 million total, 39% to NYC, to include everything but developmental center rundown. The DDRO will look at needs, not wants, and the urgency of the needs. They will take DDP2 scores into account. The below Front Door protocol is the most current and accurate, and reflects a modification from the procedures actually discussed and presented at the July 25th Council meeting.
Donna clarified the guidelines of who must come through the Front Door. She explained that, until OPWDD says otherwise, individuals who are new to OPWDD must come through the front door. “New to OPWDD” is defined as:
• Has no eligibility determination
• Has an approved eligibility determination but has either never received OPWDD services or has not been enrolled in an active OPWDD service for an extended period of time. She defined “extended” as over a year.
• OPWDD eligible individuals receiving only MSC and/or state funded services.
She said OPWDD expects to go into phase 2 of the soft launch sometime in the fall. At that time, people requesting an additional or different service will also need to go through the Front Door.
As far as MSC is concerned, MSC vendors may submit new applications for MSC to the DDRO. However, new applications for MSC will not be processed until the DDRO has made contact with the family.
VI. City News
Nothing new to report. DOHMH is still interviewing for a new executive director for developmental disabilities services.
VII. IAC/Federation Report
IAC:
• Donna Colonna, CEO of SUS, is the new IAC chair.
• IAC is closely following the implementation of the Justice Center regulations.
• IAC met with OPWDD on emergency preparedness. Now the city and state evacuation zones coincide; previously they differed. The emergency plan is on the DOH website; it will be helpful for families and individuals.
Federation:
No report
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The Family Support Fair will be on December 11th at Hotel Penn, a new venue. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 9/10, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call Amy Bittinger at 718-859-5420, ext. 234 for more information or abittinger@ucpnyc.org
Legislative – The Council is involved in a citywide summer legislative advocacy campaign, called Getting to Know Us. We are making constituent appointments with state and federal legislators and setting up visits by legislators to programs. The purpose of the advocacy is to thank the state legislators for their support during the recent legislative session and to deepen their understanding of developmental disabilities and the services that people with DD rely upon. We also want to let our legislators know that we will need additional funding in the next budget in order to meet people’s needs. If you are interested in being involved, please contact jmalley@esperanzacenter.net or Margaret Puddington at 212-799-2042 or Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Transition – Starting in September, the committee will be proactive in getting next year’s graduates through the Front Door, especially by identifying those not known to OPWDD. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 9/18, at 9:30 at AHRC Fisher Center, 2080 Lexington Avenue at 125th Street. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information & kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – An evening meeting featuring former OPWDD Associate Commissioner Kathy Broderick will take place on Wednesday, 9/18, at 5:30 PM at 75 Morton Street. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination – There was a very well-attended multiborough MSC July meeting with Donna Limiti about the Front Door. 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 will meet again in October. For information about the Committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 12th at AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor.