I. Introductions were completed.
I. Minutes from the last meeting were approved; if you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements -There is a new executive board for the Manhattan DD council:
- Chair – Kathy Kelly
- Provider Vice Chair – Carol Lincoln
- Family Vice Chair – Elly Rufer
- Secretary – Ilana Katz
- Treasurer – Jessie Backe –
Please remember to pay your dues which help support our events throughout the year. You can reap from many benefits when paying your dues.
See Flyers Distributed at the Meeting
–ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City See attached flyers for all upcoming programs as well as program vacancies For the new day hab in Harlem there is an Open house every Wednesday
-Mercy Drive See attached flyers for all upcoming programs as well as program vacancies
-NY Lawyers for the Public Interest See attached flyer for upcoming events -for parents only who have children in the school system-know your rights trainings in October -Planning for the future guardianship workshops are back. They have new PowerPoint and new information.
-Eprine Community service See attached flyer for Day Hab and community habilitation options
-QSAC See attached flyer for program vacancies -Movie- Intelligent lives-September 21-27 See attached flyer for details
-Birch Family Services See attached flyers for all upcoming programs
-Sinergia Program vacancy list is attached.
-YAI Information is attached for service vacancies. For information about any YAI programs, please call 212-273-6182, or email link@yai.org.
-Lifespire Openings in Day Habilitation programs 3
-NY START 212-273-6300 Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs. Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available
-GHO Openings in Dayhab Openings in ETP pathways and SEMP Non Medicaid services- reimbursement for goods and services. 7183076563
IV. State News – Ellen Bleckman
- OPWDD is launching a “GET TOGETHER” awareness campaign-the aim is to promote unity in the community and to hope to maintain full community inclusion. It is an on line campaign.
- July1 the first phase of the CCO’s has rolled out. 2nd Phase is specialized managed care. Right now there is a draft out for public comment
Discussion started regarding the stress families feel under the new CCO’s. Many people have not heard from their care coordinator. In addition, if people were in the middle of starting Medicaid Service Coordination they may have gotten lost and are not sure what the next step is. OPWDD is trying to get the word out on how the Front Door process has changed since July 1st. Families who are having difficulty navigating the changes should reach out to the CCO they enrolled in. If problems persist and the CCO is unresponsive, Ellen Bleckman at Metro DDRO is the CCO Transition Liason for Region 4.
V. City News – no replacement for the city No report.
VI. IAC – Suzanne Timmerhans
- Be Fair to Direct Care campaign continues as this is a multi-year effort. Contact Winnie at Winnie@IACNY.org to have a DSP who you would like to spotlight in the publication
- COLA is necessary for this year as it has not be raised in many years.
- 740 children without Special Ed preschool seats. Chris Trieber feels that is an underestimate. A campaign has started called “Our Kids are Your Kids” to raise awareness to the broader community.
- There are 84 seats empty in Manhattan is based on seats that were lost over the years due to school closures.
- DOE has added spaces for kids to be able to go into the public school system even special classes that are not integrated 8:1:1. They are not in a public school but in a free standing building. 4
- Salary deferential for DOE teachers vs. the special Ed teachers is 30,00.00 per year which makes it hard to compete for teachers.
- IAC is considering a possibility of a lawsuit as the children are not getting the service that are necessary.
- Feb 26th Leadership Lobby Day
- February 27th general lobby day. Again joining with COPA
- OPWDD issued Part 629 Regulations regarding eligibility. The feedback was so strong that it was pulled back. The statement that OPWDD could review and revise eligibility at any time created a scare for many people. This could mean if there are changes as eligibility has changed over time people could lose services.
- Reminder by October 8th you must have sexual Harassment training. This must be done yearly for all agencies.
- IAC has a new website! Go check out the fresh new look of the website
- New lobby rules. There will be training to providers in the fall
- Interim rates are still out and therefore it’s hard for providers to determine the budget
- VII. Committees
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs: Carol Lincoln and Jackie Ceonzo Next Meeting -September 25th Linda Schellenberg coming to speak about self determination. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@adaptcommunitynetwork.org.
New Venue for the Manhattan Family & Professional Resource Fair. It will be at CUNY Graduate. Tuesday December 11th 10am-2pm.
If you have received the information regarding the directory please make sure to make the changes and send it back ASAP.
Many emails have been sent out however there are some emails that are bouncing back. If you would like to receive the email for changes or know the contact person please let Yesenia Estrella know.
If you have paid your dues you will get a discount in a vendor table.
Please help to get the word out! Sharing information with all families and agencies will help generate buzz for the fair.
Free Breakfast will be provided at the fair.
Ideas for presentations include:
- Self direction
- CDPAP
- Have a long table where people can go and ask questions or just be given information so they know what questions to ask and when they visit the tables what questions can they ask.
Legislative Committee: The legislative breakfast has a tentative date of March 8th. It’s the 31st legislative breakfast! As this year is an election year the “Be Fair to Direct Care” campaign will be in full swing. The The Governor has been invited to several agencies to recognize DSPs. 5 3 new bills have passed: -Screening for ASD bill has passed. Currently it is very generic bill -Cost of care for ASD bill has been signed. -ID card bill has passed. He bill states that OPWDD will offer cards that will indicate the person has a disability.
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Mary and Jackie will have their next meeting on October 4th from 6pm-8pm at SNACK on sibling relationships through the ages. Siblings are encouraged to come as well. September 14th Mary and Jackie will be part of a group regarding respite programs to see if agencies are interested in providing respite programs.
VIII. New Business – Kathy Kelly No new business