1. Announcements: See Below
2. MFSSAC Meeting Schedule
The Council members decided to skip a May meeting and instead to meet in June, with both morning and evening sessions.
3. Report on March Statewide Family Support Committee Meeting
Courtney Burke, new OPWDD Commissioner, attended. She discussed the New York Times article regarding abuse at state-run homes for people with developmental disabilities. She emphasized that she regards this as an opportunity to reform the system. OPWDD is considering the following reforms:
• Revising the time period by which notification of a crime must be made to police
• Issues regarding union issues related to terminations of people found guilty of abuse. The Commissioner wants a policy of zero tolerance of abuse
• Revising the qualifications required for new direct support hires
• Considering a cross-systems registry of those fired for abuse
• Governor Cuomo created the SAGE Commission to reduce the number of state agencies and to find efficiencies by reducing duplication (e.g., fingerprinting, IT, HR)
We also discussed the state budget cuts: About $167 million was cut from programs operated by the nonprofit agencies—IRA, day hab, ICF, and a 2% cut to respite waiver, community habilitation, and some other programs. There are no cuts to other types of family support services.
The committee had a presentation on the new waiver service of community habilitation (CH). CH includes at home residential habilitation and will eventually include other types of habilitation services. CH allows for flexibility and is not tied to a fixed physical site. It promotes an individualized approach and increases options for inclusion. It may not be provided in certified settings. Residential habilitation no longer has to start or end in the home. It may be provided in groups of up to 4 individuals.
4. Presentation: Dr. Stan Butkus, Director, Metro NY DDSO, on the NYS Budget for People with Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Butkus reported that the budget was passed with cuts that will be implemented beginning July 2011. Cuts included administrative costs, rates, some one-time savings, and for the nonprofit agencies cuts related to surpluses and executive salaries. There will be little impact on non-waiver family support services. There are no across-the-board cuts; instead, the cuts will be taken “surgically.” New York State’s OPWDD budget exceeds $8 billion and it has the largest per-person cost in the nation. OPWDD is looking to provide services at lower cost, with an emphasis on family care and supported employment.
Dr. Butkus also discussed the OPWDD response to the New York Times article, noting that OPWDD is exploring the following issues:
• Refresher training provided to direct support staff on abuse prevention
• Reporting responsibilities
• Analyzing past incidents of abuse and how they were handled (track and trend)
• Using a PROMOTE curriculum, a revision of the current curriculum, to better prevent behavioral incidents
• Improving training for supervisors
• DDSO directors have been directed to visit all state-operated homes to conduct observations
• Requiring high school or GED diplomas and pre-employment drug-testing for new employees
Announcements:
DD Council
Monday,April 11, 2011, 9:30 am
YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor
Information: Margaret Puddington
Family Support Services Committee
Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 10:00 am – noon
UCP NYC, 120 East 23rd Street, 5th floor
Information: Amy Bittinger (212) 979-9700 x 708
Transition Committee
Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 9:30 am – noon
UCP of NYC, 122 East 23rd Street, 1st floor board room
Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-272
Children’s Committee
To Be Announced
Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532
Hawthorne Country Day School: In-Home Behavior Management. Free. Contact Dr. Hugh-Pennie: 646-675-5957.
YAI Family Support Services for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Free. Groups in English and Spanish. Call: 212-273-6182.
Sprout Film Festival 4/29-5/1 at the Metropolitan Museum: www.sproutfilmfestival.org.
The Friendship Circle: Social and Judaic programs for children with special needs. Teen volunteers socialize with children with special needs. Social events, trips, educational workshops, Jewish holiday programs, weekly visits by teen volunteers to child’s home. 646-688-5300 or www.friendshipnyc.com.
New York Service for the Handicapped, Camp Oakhurst: Summer camp and respite for children with physical disabilities. Respite for children and young adults with autism. Summer camp, respite, off-season vacations for adults with physical disabilities. Call: Christine Bellacero, 212-533-4020.
Special Playdate: Playdates arranged through a website—create an account and profile of your child (ages 1-25). Searchable by playdate member families. Free. They also offer social skills programs (facilitated playgroups and intensive social skills building sessions)