Family Support Services Committee Meeting Minutes – 6/14/16

Topic:  Transition Planning, Employment and Educational  Services and Support for People With Disabilities

Presented by: George Fernandez, Counselor Assistant from ACCES-VR

For more information: Janice Cruz-Marin ext. 330/jcruz@sinergiany.org

Announcements: ALL announcements and docs June 2016

1. Yesenia Estrella, Sinergia, Inc. announced vacancies:

• Overnight Respite serving Manhattan and Bronx individuals. Must be Medicaid waiver eligible and live with a family member. MSC service amendment needed.

For more information, contact Claudia Vidal at 212-643-2840 ext. 351.

• In-Home Respite serving Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, must be Medicaid waiver eligible and live with a family member. MSC service amendment needed.

For more information, contact Claudia Vidal at 212-643-2840 ext. 351.

• Community Habilitation serving Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, must be Medicaid waiver eligible. MSC service amendment needed.

For more information, contact Thainesse Caro at 212-643-2840 ext. 324

• Housing Advocacy provided in all five boroughs, assistance with homelessness prevention, subsidies, NYCHA, section 8, low income housing applications, housing court, repairs and more. Must be family support eligible or live in our neighborhood preservation catchment area (96^th street to 126^th street river to river)

For more information, contact the Intake Specialist at 212-643-2840 ext. 336.

• The Metropolitan Parent Center is a Parent Training and Information Center that provides information, training and one-to-one support to families of children with the full range of disabilities ages 0-26. Parents will develop skills and knowledge that will help their children achieve academic and functional skills that lead to independent productive adult lives, to the maximum extent possible.

Visit our website for a calendar of workshops: www.sinergiany.org or call our Intake specialist at 212-643-2840 ext. 336.

• The Autism Initiative @ Sinergia

Offers Free Education Workshops and Support Group. Open to individuals,

families, caregivers and professionals.

Visit our website for a calendar of workshops: www.sinergiany.org or contact: Paola Jordan at 212-643-2840 ext. 305.

• Family Support Case Management

This is a non-Medicaid case management services that provides coordination and linkage to services, assistance with SSI, Medicaid and other benefits referrals to camp, respite, reimbursement and other services, Medicaid waiver enrollment, educational advocacy and more. For residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens.

For eligibility and requirements contact Doris Rodriguez at 212-643-2840 ext. 325.

• Family Reimbursement

Family Brooklyn and Bronx residents, must be OPWDD eligible, up to $500 reimbursement for respite, in-home respite, transportation, furniture, appliances and camp.

For more information, contact Clara Romero at 212-643-2840 ext. 362.

• We Are Parents Too

Parenting skills for parents with developmental disabilities. Weekly classes on topics such as: family planning, nutrition, increasing advocacy skills and budgeting. Advocacy available for issues to ACS, child custody and foster care.

For more information, contact Gina Peña at 212-643-2840 ext. 322.

• Pathway to Employment services/Caminos

Offers services to individuals interested in achieving employment. This service offers an individualized planning process that helps identify career or vocational direction. Individual must be enrolled in the Home and Community Based Waiver (HCBS).

For more information, contact the Intake specialist at 212-643-2840 ext. 336.

• Biweekly parent support group available in Spanish.

 

2. John Williams, Esperanza Center announced vacancies:

• Get-Away Program openings for children and adults (Manhattan Only)

Adults: three day vacation to a resort for participants over 18 who reside with their families in Manhattan. The closely supervised trips are conducted in groups of 5 individuals.

Children: three day vacation for children, ages 5 to 18, with developmental disabilities living in Manhattan. It offers the children an opportunity for new experiences and provides much needed respite for their families. Trips are closely supervised and are conducted in small groups.

For more information, contact Dennise Pinargote at 212-928-5810, ext. 126, dpinargote@esperanzacenter.com or Juan Carlos Espinal at 212-928-5810, ext. 105, jcespinal@esperanzacenter.com.

 

• Openings for transportation reimbursement

Reimbursement of transportation to doctors, therapies, programs and recreation for Manhattan families north of 110^th Street, Manhattan.

For more information, contact Kary Paulino at 212-928-5810 ext. 178, kpaulino@esperanzacenter.com.

3. Daisy Sosa, YAI announced vacancies:

• Taking referrals for our parent training program on Behavior Management in a group setting in English, Spanish, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin). We have summer sessions.
• YAI (Project Grow Program)

For more information, contact Daisy Sosa at 212-273-6259 or daisy.sosa@yai.org.

4. Cristy Torres, YAI Network announced vacancies:

• Accepting referrals in Crisis Intervention. We provide assistance with eligibility, short term case management, behavior management, and short term counseling.

For more information, contact Cristy Torres or Maria Leonardo or Victor Ordelle at 212-273-6200.

 

5. Melissa Miller, NYSH/Camp Oakhurst announced vacancies:

• Camp Oakhurst has openings in their summer sessions for youth. Autism and adult session have waitlists. Visit nysh.org for an application or contact us for more information.

For more information, contact Melissa Miller at 212-533-4020 or mmiller@nysh.org.

6. Daniris Espinal, Goodwill Industries announced vacancy:

• Openings for DayHab

For more information, contact Daniris Espinal at danirisespinal@goodwillny.org.

 

7. Caroline Dunn, YAI announced vacancies:

Manhattan only:

• Independent living Program
• Family Reimbursement
• Parent training for parents with special needs
• Parent training for behavior management & sexuality
• Employment services

For more information, contact LINK AT 212-273-6182.

 

8. Pat Chang, General Human Outreach, Inc. announced vacancies:

• Family Support Case Management: Medicaid is not required, Mandarin, Korean speaking staff available
• Assistance in Front Door process, public benefits, education advocacy, referral/information

For more information, contact Pat Chang at 718-307-6563.

 

ACCES-VR Presentation by George Fernandez

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Vocational Rehabilitation

1. ACCES-VR is located in the 5 boroughs, and 8 district offices throughout New York State, as well as in upstate.
2. It is an individual plan of employment, eligibility driven, voluntary, and assists people with disabilities to go to work.
3. Eligibility for services includes a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to prepare for, enter into, engage in, or retain employment.
4. Proof of disability & limitations includes medical reports, mental health, school records, psychological testing results or reports.
5. The counselor and individual will plan the program together.
6. The counselor may help in job counseling, job assessment, job placement, vocational, books & tools, supported employment, High School to work, rehabilitation technology, job coaching, and employer hiring incentives.
7. High School to work introduced to 17 year old’s where they will work with them on soft skills, develop relationship skills, communication skills, how to present themselves, and critical thinking.
8. Not everyone qualifies for travel training.
9. The consumer can work 20 to 25 hours without it affecting their benefits.
10. Some ACCES-VR services may require the consumer to contribute to the cost. Funding toward training may require financial participation.
11. An Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) is developed outlining the vocational goal and the steps needed to achieve the goal.
12. The application packet contains application for services, confidential health assessment, and release of information.