1. Announcements: SEE SUB-COMMITTES MEETING DATES BELOW
NYC FSSAC
This is a citywide family support services advisory council. Our Elly Rufer is the chair. Elly explained that this council meets quarterly to share issues of concern and to help and advise each other. The following people expressed interest in joining this citywide council: Lori Podvesker, Cliff Datys, Linda Irby, Michael Haas, Caroline Grant, Sharyn Van Reepinghen. Please contact Elly if you would like to participate: erufer2000@yahoo.com
DD Council Facebook Page
Elly Rufer announced the launch of the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council’s Facebook Page, which she created. The goal of the page is to makes it easier for self-advocates, families, providers, and our partners in government to share information. You can access this page directly at: www.facebook.com/ManhattanDDCouncil or through the FB icon on the DD Council’s website at: www.manhattanddcouncil.org
Olmstead Plan Hearing
This hearing on NYS’s implementation of the Olmstead plan—Olmstead requires serving people in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate to their needs—will be held September 28, 2012, 9 am – noon, at 75 Morton St. You can also submit testimony online: www.governor.ny.gov/olmsteadplan. Linda Irby mentioned that she saw an exhibit on the history of Willowbrook at the Port Authority. The exhibit closes at the end of September.
Individual and Community Supports ICS
This is a new OPWDD initiative, which comprises an array of individualized service options, utilizing person-centered principles, including the combined use of paid and unpaid community supports. ICS targets housing and meaningful community activities including employment. Current self-directed services (CSS, portal, ISS, and Learning Institute) will gradually transition into ICS. OPWDD information sessions will be announced.
OPWDD Facebook Page and YouTube Channel
OPWDD now has a Facebook page and a YouTube channel as well as a website http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/ and an information line 866-946-9733.
OPWDD Provider Profiles Online
OPWDD now offers online provider performance report cards for use by individuals and families. So far, MSC performance data has been placed online. In future, provider profiles will include: fire safety performance data, incident management performance data, health services outcomes, and nutrition services outcomes.
2. Report on Statewide Family Support Committee meeting
Commissioner Burke reported that the Governor has issued a request that state agencies submit a flat budget proposal request for next year. There is still a deficit, although it has been reduced. The Commissioner also warned that aside from the budget, there could be separate Medicaid cuts to OPWDD next year.
Culture change: OPWDD is working to strengthen the workforce by new hiring standards and the development of core competencies (a code of ethics and a listing of basic and advanced skills that direct support staff should have). Most agencies already do much of this training. Also PROMOTE, OPWDD’s new behavior management approach emphasizing positive relationships and positive approaches instead of restraints, will be rolled out this fall.
Families Bill of Rights: The statewide committee pointed out that it is important for families to know their rights vis-à-vis agencies, and it is important for agencies to recognize those rights—for example, your right to participate in your child’s medical appointments, your right to be apprised of any significant event with regard to your child. Sharyn Van Reepinghen pointed out that AHRC has such a document. Margaret has volunteered to collect all ideas—please e-mail her what you would like to see in the Families Bill of Rights.
Allocation methodology for the upcoming Request for Family Support Proposals. This family support Request for Proposals (RFP) is funded in the amount of $8 million for the entire state. That money will be allocated in different amounts to the various OPWDD districts. In an effort to fairly predict the family support services needs of each district, in the absence of any reliable data like DDP4s, the statewide committee agreed to a formula that takes into account: census, family support services capacity, residential capacity, and the out of home waiting list. Previously, age under 22 was also a factor because people under age 22 were the highest users of family support services, while older people were more likely to go to residences. But now that there is very little residential development, older people will also be high users of family support services. The statewide committee also agreed that no district should receive less than $200,000. Local family support services advisory councils should develop their local priorities now for the RFP.
People First Waiver Update, presented by Jerry Huber. Jerry presented the following timeline:
- Oct. 2012 People First waiver application submitted to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
- July 2013 Dual eligible pilot—Department of Health (DOH) long-term services
- Jan. 2014 Dual Eligible pilot—OPWDD and DOH long-term supports and services and acute care services
- Nov. 2013 DISCO pilots –all services but not health care
- Nov. 2015 DISCO non-pilot roll out, with health care to phase in over time
Jerry also explained that there are targeted work teams to deliver recommendations on how the People First waiver should handle:
1. access, enrollment, and advocacy: ensuring equity and providing independent advocacy
2. care coordination
3. modernizing of the fiscal platform: providing recommendations for promoting equity and sustainability as well as recommendations on concepts and philosophy that should determine reimbursement policy to providers
Jerry spoke about the draft RFA (Request for Applications to become a DISCO) that has been posted on OPWDD’s website. This RFA provides a better idea of what OPWDD will be looking for in a DISCO.
Jerry also distributed copies of the draft of the needs assessment tool, called Coordinated Assessment System (CAS), that will be used in the People First waiver. This draft will not be posted on the website. [Margaret will e-mail it together with the attachments.] The tool covers a lot of domains—health, behavior, communication, mobility, ADL, etc. The tool will produce a score, which ultimately will be associated with a monthly capitated rate per person. There will be different tiers of rates according to different levels of need. The person will not get that money and is not necessarily entitled to all of it. The money will go to the DISCOs and the DISCOs have to see that each person’s needs are met. Two people with same level of need will get the same score regardless of services needed, whether living at home or in a residence. The DISCO will be responsible for seeing that needed services are provided. Hopefully, the needs will balance out—some will need less than the designated amount and some will need more. OPWDD staff will do the assessments. There will be a grievance process if a person does not get the services s/he believes are needed.
3. Family Support Priorities for the Upcoming Request for Family Support Services Proposals
Margaret reported that the Manhattan Family Support Committee has suggested the following priorities:
• Guardianship services
• Summer day camp at end of summer for teens and maybe for younger children
• Afterschool for under 13-year-olds
• School holiday for 3-5 –year-olds
• In-home respite
• Creative proposals – for example, sex education for people with developmental disabilities, sports programs, arts programs
• Grievance services
• $2,000 more for our annual Family Support Fair
Margaret mentioned that Brooklyn has a family support program that provides money for in-home psychological/psychosocial evaluations for individuals without Medicaid to be done by an agency outside of regular 9-5 hours. Brooklyn also has immigration assistance and citizenship education for people with developmental disabilities. Catherine Jones mentioned that Queens has a program to assess whether people are capable of consenting to sexual activity. Council members recommended including these as priorities for Manhattan. Other council recommendations: emergency respite; outreach/case finding for unconnected parents with adult children; future planning as well as guardianship to include outreach and education; sexuality counselling, regarding skills rather than healing from trauma, for unmarried people (not covered by Medicaid); overnight in-home respite; pet therapy; 24/7 mobile crisis unit.
Once it is clear how much money is available for Manhattan, these recommendations will be reviewed with an eye toward what is affordable as well as what types of programs have and have not been successful in Manhattan in the past.
4. Speaker: Catherine Jones: Sex Education – What Parents Need to Know
Catherine pointed out that “sexuality” encompasses much more than just sex itself. It is a neglected area of services. This part of life is crucial to people’s well-being and a human right. Please see the attached powerpoint as a summary of her presentation.
DD Council
Thursday, October 11, 2012, 9:30 am
FEGS, 315 Hudson Street, 9th floor
Information: Marco Damiani (212) 273-6188
Families are very welcome at this, our parent council. At the Council meetings, you will get much information, meet providers, hear the issues, and have an opportunity to speak up about your concerns. The DD Council invites family participation.
Family Support Services Committee
Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 10:00 am – noon
YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor
Information: Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234
Transition Committee
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 9:30 am – noon
Life Adjustment Center, 1430 Broadway (at 40th Street), Suite 503
Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724
Legislative Committee
To Be Announced
Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101
Childrens Committee
Thursday, October 4, 2012, 9:30 am – noon
Jewish Guild for the Blind, 15 West 65th Street, ground floor
Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532
Service Coordination Committee
Next Meeting: To Be Announced
Information: Irina Tuchina (212) 273-6100 x 2418
Sign-in sheets are attached. Other attachments will be sent separately.
Attachments #1 9/12/12 Meeting
Attachments #2 0/12/12 Meeting