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: See Attachments
DD Council dues are due! See attached invoice for not-for-profit provider agencies.
Camp Oakhurst
Respite provided for people with intellectual or physical disabilities or who are on the autism spectrum. See attached for details.
Home Connect
See attached for information regarding a supportive housing pilot program for people with I/DD/ASD who can live independently in housing that already exists.
NY Foundling
Families Offering Care and Unconditional Support (FOCUS) is a program with the goal of bending the curve away from traditional care, and focusing on community-based, long term supports and services (LTSS) for children and youth between ages 5-21 with I/DD. Services are provided in the home. Services are coordinated with the current service providers, school, and community resources. See attached for details.
YAI
Parent phone in support groups for all caregivers, regardless of family member’s disability diagnosis. Contact Kate Macaluso at 212-273-6242 or kate.macaluso@yai.org.
Adult Yoga Group and Children’s Social Skills Group available through the YAI Autism Center. Contact Laura Mitchell at 212-273-6211, or laura.mitchell@yai.org.
Free open workshops every Wednesday, mornings and evenings, on navigating the system for people with developmental disabilities. Drop in at 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call 212-273-6182, or link@yai.org for referrals and any other information.
UCP of New York City
Vacancy list attached, along with information on the Family Reimbursement program.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the DD Clinic.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
IAC
The Family Advocacy Movement Project is looking to connect with families and groups of families. People can register at www.iacny.org, and click on “Family Advocacy” to register. For more information, contact Karel Karpe at Karel@iacny.org, or 212-645-6360.
**As always – any agency announcements or non-fundraising events can be sent to manhattanddcouncil@gmail.com to be included on the Council Facebook page (anyone) or Council website (dues paying members).
Presentation by Jill Krata, PhD: Autism BrainNet Jill Krata ppt 15
Autism BrainNet is a new network of four university-based sites across the country, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Manhattan, that have come together to make brain donation both easier and more useful for future research. Brain donations to any of these sites will contribute to a common pool that will facilitate research by the best autism researchers in the world. Postmortem studies of brain tissue represent the only way for researchers to gain a deeper understanding of autism on the genetic, cellular, and molecular levels. To register or for more information, go to TakesBrains.org. For help with a donation, call the 24/7 Hot Line 877-333-0999. Please see the attached powerpoint.
Information and Updates by Janice Chisholm, Director, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities, NYC DOHMH
The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities resides within the Department’s Division of Mental Hygiene, along with the Bureaus of Mental Health and Alcohol, Drug Prevention and Treatment, among other units. The Bureau’s mission to engage and partner with the DD Councils, OPWDD, individuals, families and other stakeholders on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities in NYC is unchanged.
Months ago, the Department issued a concept paper in anticipation of the solicitation of vocational services for individuals with developmental disabilities in New York City. The Department expects to issue the related request for proposals, and will keep the Councils informed as it moves forward.
The City Council is continuing its support for services for people with developmental disabilities. The Department is in contact with contractors who have been designated to receive FY16 City Council funding.
IV. State News – Donna Limiti
1. Article 16 clinics – effective 1/1/16, article 16 services must be provided in a certified site. Agencies can have other sites certified as satellite clinics, and they are working on identifying those locations.
2. Public forums on the transformation agenda – in NYC there will be a forum on 9/17 at UJA, 130 E 59th St., 5-7 pm.
3. Strategies for the Future: Supporting Complex Needs – a symposium is scheduled for 11/5, 8-4:30 at the Empire State Plaza Convention in Albany.
4. The Request for Applications for START is out. 9 entities have indicated an interest in submitting a proposal. Application is due by 9/28 and OPWDD hopes to make the award effective 1/1/16.
5. The Residential Request List outreach continues. Those people on the list who do not have MSCs were referred back to the districts in order to track their whereabouts. The purpose of the outreach is not to reduce the list, but to ensure that services are being provided to those still waiting. If parents believe their child should be on the list but have not yet received a call or a letter, they can call a toll free number to participate in the survey: 844 679-3369. If Manhattan families would like to get their child on the residential request list, they should call Kathleen Kingston: 646-766-3385.
6. HCBS settings expectations. CMS expects full compliance by 3/2019 but OPWDD wants compliance by 10/2018. DQI will review the requirements starting October when making survey visits. The visits will not result in an SOD but are for informational purposes. Non-residential setting requirements should be coming in later in September.
7. Nurse Practice Act exemption – should be in effect May of 2016. Every waiver service will require an operating certificate which can be obtained through the CON process. The details of the process will be forthcoming in Nov/Dec. The NPA exemption will permit staff to administer medication in non-certified settings, which should greatly benefit a number of people who could move to a less supervised setting if medication could be administered to them. Nursing oversight will be required, even in community hab.
8. Alternate Medicaid Managed Care Model – in order to ensure that administrative costs of DISCOs are not borne by sacrificing services, a different model has been devised where a Managed Care Plan would be over the DISCO. The function of the MC Plan is to assess the individuals and develop initial service plans.
9. The first FIDA (managed care for people who have both Medicaid and Medicare) demonstration project will serve 9 counties downstate, including NYC, with voluntary enrollment beginning January, 2016.
Donna also reported on Priority 1 people and new development:
Priority 1 people:
• In hospital – varies between 30-41 citywide. With no developmental centers to fall back on, people have no place to go. Marco suggested the need for a step-down program, but there would still be the need for someplace for them to go afterwards.
• In developmental centers (DCs) – 136 citywide. 24 people remain on campus at the Brooklyn DC, closing at the end of the year; 112 at Fineson, closing 3/17, of whom 80 do not have plans.
• In emergencies – 10 citywide
• Graduates of residential schools :
o 2016 – 89 from NYC
o 2016 – 17 from Manhattan
o 2015 – Manhattan graduates who have yet to move to their new home – 10
o 2015 – Manhattan graduates with no plan – 2
Donna explained that there is money for residential development for people in developmental centers and those aging out of residential schools.
New development:
• Since the beginning of 2015, 12 opportunities have been opened in Manhattan.
• Since 4/1/15 – 103 people went into backfill opportunities, most from homes (2 were from Manhattan).
The Council requested notification of all new development in Manhattan going forward.
V. City News
See Janice Chisholm’s report, above.
VI. IAC/Federation
As of October 1, agencies must use ICD 10 codes, which involve some changes of diagnoses aligned with billing. On August 25, IAC held a well-attended rally at the Governor’s office in Manhattan, calling for tuition increases for 4410 special education preschools. OPWDD’s person-centered regulations are out for comment. Today’s New York Times reported that the Governor has committed to a $15 minimum wage for all workers in NYS.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: Amy Bittinger reported that the space for the Fair is now secured: The New York Academy of Medicine at 5th Ave. and 103 St., Monday, December 14, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Doors open at 9:30. There will be 2 sessions of workshops: 6 workshops in all. Food arrangements will be worked out. The next committee meeting will be Tuesday, October 13, 10:00-noon, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 12th floor, conference room I. Information: Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234; Abittinger@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative: The Executive Committee has rethought Family Advocacy Day and decided to replace it with year-round advocacy visits in order to build stronger ties with our Manhattan legislators and educate them on our issues instead of coming to them only at budget time. We also need to advocate on the federal level.
Transition: The next meeting is Wednesday, September 16, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor Board Room. The topic will be a review of 2015 graduates. The October meeting will be on self-direction. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council: At the next meeting, Nadine Daley, Center for Family Support, will present on Personal Outcome Measures (POMs). The meeting is Monday, September 21, 10:00 am – noon, Center for Family Support, 333 Seventh Ave., 9th floor. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: The meeting planned for September 25, with speakers from INCLUDEnyc, has been cancelled due to transportation issues during the visit by the Pope. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Childrens/Education: The Department of Education has reorganized, returning authority to regional supervisors. Lines of responsibility are unclear at this time, and it is unclear where some students will be attending school. District 75 is not affected. Advocates for Children has helpful information on their website: advocatesforchildren.org. The next committee meeting will be announced. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
VIII. New Business
NYC Fair is urging families to sign up for the OPWDD Transformation Panel Public Forum on 9/17 (see details under State News). At NYC Fair’s urging, OPWDD agreed to host the forums prior to the issuance of the Transformation Panel’s recommendations, rather than afterwards.