Manhattan DD Council March 15, 2022

Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes

March 15, 2022

I.          Introductions were completed.

II.         Minutes The May minutes are posted on the Council website. If you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).

III.        Announcements

Manhattan DDcouncil@gmail.com. Please send all information and flyers to the email address. All non-fundraiser events can be posted on the website.

We will continue our meetings via zoom and we appreciate everyone who participates

ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City

Please contact ADAPT Community Network’s Project Connect at 877-827-2666 or projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org. We have openings in Family Reimbursement, Com. Hab, Home Modifications(not in Manhattan), ISS, Housing Assistance Services. We are offering telehealth services via Station MD and Day Hab Admissions is running virtually. contact mhwang@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or 718-594-7374 or Kliebman@adaptcommunitynetwork.org

Contact projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or call 877-827-2666. 

Ohel Bais Ezra

Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens

Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org

YAI

Funds still available for emergency respite.

Travel Training workshops for staff, parents and caregivers. In the workshop, we will discuss the Travel Training program in detail, including the stages of training and pre-service documentation. Please feel free to email TravelTraining@yai.org.

All inquiries should be directed to YAI LINK at 212 273 6182 or link@yai.org. You can also fill out a Getting Started form to begin the screening process. 

Transition to independence for people with Autism who are not waiver enrolled

Crisis Intervention

Day Habilitation

YAI Arts Day Hab without Walls

Emergency Respite Fund

Holiday Respite (ages 6 to 18)

Overnight Respite (ages 5+)​

Parents with Special Needs: Program to empower parents with I/DD to strengthen parent/child interaction and enhance independence. The program focuses on goals identified by the parents to enhance their effectiveness and lead a balanced parenting lifestyle.  

In-Home Behaviour Management

Social Skills (ages 9+)

You and I Social Networking Skills (ages 18+): This group offers adults the opportunity to learn social and dating skills in a structured setting.

Independent Living Skills (ages 18+): A series of 12-week group sessions, providing the opportunity for adults to learn and develop skills in a group setting. A parent/caregiver education component is also included to help families bring the information home. 

NY START(CSIDD)

212-273-6300

Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs.

Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available

February 21^st on line training.

NYLPI – looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid. NYPLI has frees services and trainings available on future planning, guardianship, and special education rights; call 212-244-4664 for information or by requesting assistance online www.nylpi.org/get-help. We also provide a resource guide every Friday https://nylpi.org/resource/special-education-remote-learning-information-contacts-resources-links/

Sinergia– Offering Service coordination and Family Reimbursement to all Boroughs.  We also offer non-Medicaid Free Evaluations and case management for Manhattan residents. We have openings in our Day Habilitation program and our employment program. Please feel free to reach out Jsantana@sinergiany.org There is also Housing Advocacy available as well https://www.sinergiany.org/services/housing-assistance

Esperanza has a day hab program in Washington Heights, and funds available for transportation reimbursement for Manhattan only.  212-928-5810

GHO– We have openings in CH, DH, DHWOW, Job training/employment program, IRA, etc. We have family reimbursement money as well We will have upcoming workshops and social parents gathering virtually for Korean and Chinese speaking families. For all information inquiries, feel free to contact me at 718-307-6570 or via e-mail: dquirk@ghoinc.org.

GHO has contract with CDNY continue to assist Chinese and Korean speaking families enrolling into Care Design’s care management regardless of language barrier. Speak to Joe Tan 718-2616552 ext 2054. Workshop on April 7 at 11:00AM

The Center for Discovery. We are an OPWDD run residential facility, as well as DOE run school. We are currently accepting applications for residential placement. Please have anyone interested have their school district send the child’s referral packet to us directly. Call me with any questions 845-649-5104 or slivanos@tcfd.org. Website: www.tcfd.org. We are also working on a brand new DDPC partnership grant for restraint and seclusion reduction analysis for all of NYS. If you would like to participate please reach out to help!   Opening children’s hospital in 2021.

Health Care Advocate ICAN. Please contact Lynn Decker,    ldecker@cidny.org 646-442-4188. I am the designated participant advocate for enrollees in the FIDA-IDD plan with Partners Health Plan, and can assist others enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care plans.

Elmys Silvia Navas from family reimbursement we have opening for Queen and Brooklyn we are accepting applications. Please feel free and contact me at 917-324-6825 or 718-789-7539

Goodwill- opening in Harlem Dayhab without walls

Summertime Gallery – an art studio + gallery for artists with and without disabilities pushing towards a more inclusive art world. We currently have two exciting groups we have during the week.

Studio Hours is a virtual group where we use different prompts, materials, and mediums to create art together. This is less of a step by step class but more of an art family/community where artists encourage and support each other.

Our second group is Art Walks + Talks. This hybrid group consists of visiting art museums or galleries in person every other week, and the opposing week we are virtual and create art using inspiration from the week prior. This group is great for those who want to immerse themselves in the NYC art world.

These groups accept Self-Direction and fee-for-service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to anna@summertimegallery.org or check out our website at Summertimegallery.org

Open the Lid– We offer Individual and Group, Web-Based Empowerment Classes that teach self-regulation, self-advocacy and communication skills in a supportive, inclusive community with neurodivergent people and allies.

Open the Lid Web -Based Empowerment Classes for any age, label or location

VIRTUAL COFFEE: HTTPS://www.openthelid.com/coffee

FREE TRIAL www.openthelid.com

EMAILsupport@openthelid.com

CALL/TEXT 607-339-8092

CARES Article 16 and Article 31 clinics–   FSS Grant in Brooklyn and are able to provide free evaluations for individuals looking to obtain OPWDD eligibility.  Please contact me at pratz@caresnyc.org or 212-420-1970 ext. 123

MTA Accessibility Coming Soon OMNY Reduce Fare Training  Please Contact  Sara Bahri Systemwide Accessibility sara.bahri@nyct.com set up date time on zoom Please Update Reduced-Fare Metro Cards Information no photo need https://new.mta.info/fares/how-to-apply-reduced-fare-metrocard need print out page only address phone and email address mail Mail to MTA Reduce Fare 130 Livingston St Brooklyn Ny 11201

NY foundation for seniors– Home care program is looking to talk to people who are interested in housing

Metro community health centers-4 centers available in Staten Island, Manhattan, Bronx and Manhattan dental

Lifespire has immediate behavior management openings in Manhattan.  Email Jay Kleinman at jkleinman@lifespire.org for further information or to make referrals

I’ll be doing occasional presentations on FIDA-IDD as a Teams Meeting, next one is March 25th at 1 PM. Registration link here: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/W1_0Zt0lgkuLjB5uFRLKXA,umdnjS5Dek2hdxAQeTroeA,pegt3FfMDkGZ-V-uFfc2NA,Q0Tq5jWcUEmZ2ojYdS5LKA,8scCTdNWfkKrbYADFHKz7g,UCOdwEhMm0exZzy3pe1pog?mode=read&tenantId=66f45f5b-25dd-4b82-8b8c-1e6e1512ca5c

And I am Lynn Decker, FIDA-IDD Specialist for ICAN.

Lynn Decker, ldecker@cidny.org, 646-442-4188 I’ll be doing occasional presentations on FIDA-IDD as a Teams Meeting, next one is March 25th at 1 PM. Registration link here: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/W1_0Zt0lgkuLjB5uFRLKXA,umdnjS5Dek2hdxAQeTroeA,pegt3FfMDkGZ-V-uFfc2NA,Q0Tq5jWcUEmZ2ojYdS5LKA,8scCTdNWfkKrbYADFHKz7g,UCOdwEhMm0exZzy3pe1pog?mode=read&tenantId=66f45f5b-25dd-4b82-8b8c-1e6e1512ca5c

Lynn Decker, ldecker@cidny.org, 646-442-4188

Anchor Health –independent from OPWDD. We service both children and adults(contact info in chat) At Anchor Health, we provide compassionate, skilled, person centered home care services to individuals and families.

Anchor’s home health aids are trained in crisis intervention, IDD and mental/medical health and are supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. Our home health aids make it possible for people to live more satisfying lives in their homes. We are Medicaid funded and are independent from OPWDD. I can be reached at 347-709-9181 or psych1325@gmail.com for assistance or inquiry.

ACA NY– Pamela Rice, LCSW-R. I’m the Director of Member Engagement at ACA/NY. We have a Member & Family forum on March 23rd 4pm-5pm – Preparing for Medicaid Extensions. Real time translation in Spanish, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese.  https://acany.org/calendar/

NY city fair -NYC FAIR BUDGET Town Hall 2/16/2022,  You must Register to get the LOGIN INFORMATION https://forms.gle/DZ19U5zj9caHggME8

III.    State News –James Doherty

• ADM –housing subsidy program provides clarification on how to apply for housing subsidy previously known as ISS. It carves out specific guidelines for QA checklists. Requirement that the care manager work with the building to make sure it makes all the life safety requirements. As well as participation agreements
• ADM-Family support. Additional guidelines of FSS. $3000.00 New cap annually. There are specific instances when you can request more money for emergencies. Comments from the families and the DD council. There was never a discussion with the families and no decisions made with the families. There were never any meaningful discussions with the families regarding the ADM. This ADM was not endorsed by the Family Support Committee and therefore the families and the DD council officially do don’t approve or buy into this ADM
• ADM-IBS out for public comment in draft form. Develop a Behavior Support Plan( BSP) to be applicable across a range of settings. Delivery service up to a year of service. –
•  V.  City News – Gavin Meyers
• Key to NYC requirements has been discontinued as March 7^th. Restaurants no longer require proof of vaccination. Businesses can ask for proof of vaccination but it is optional.
• DOH is offering information sessions on the booster. If you want your agency to have an informational session please reach out to Shayla Rowe Sraow1@health.nyc.gov
• New Covid alert system: To provide the public information on Covid and what the risk level is. It includes recommendations as well.  Green is lowest level. We are currently in the green alert level, which is low Covid spread.
• If you want PPE please sign up through Medline
• OPWDD facilities should be getting Covid test kits sent to them.
• Vaccine booster shots are available for fully vaccinated people 12 or older. DOH is recommended the vaccine for anyone who got the dose of Pfzeir or Moderna 5 months ago and J&J 2 months ago. If you were recently sick you can get your booster after the isolation ends. People with weakened immune systems who got the 3^rd dose should get the booster as well.
• Only Pfizer is available for 5-11years old. It is a smaller dose
• Unvaccinated people should wear a mask always indoor and in crowded outside areas
• The vaccine is currently being evaluated for under 5
• The percentage of Covid cases positivity is 1.3%.and decreasing daily 591 total cases daily and 10 hospitalizations.
• Health department in focusing on the 87.1% fully vaccinated (88% in Manhattan) There is a difference between the booster and the third shot.
• The flu vaccine can be received at the same time as the Covid vaccine. You can wait but it’s good to look at both options as we go into the winter season.
• The state continues to encourage people to get vaccinated
• If you are looking for a place to get COVID testing if you need to find a location: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page
• information about vaccine incentives for those who haven’t obtained a COVID-19 vaccine: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/vaccine-incentives.page
• City is giving $100.00 for first does as well as transportation if needed
• You can also get the vaccine at home. https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home
• https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-youth-sites-flyer.pdf information about the COVID vaccine for kids
• Information about the differences between boosters and 3rd doses: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-third-dose-vs-booster.pdf
• To schedule free transport by either ambulette or taxi (including wheelchair accessible vehicles), call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

VI.  IAC Report –Wini Schiff

Report on the two one house BUDGET

The Governors proposal was great but not amazing. We made some suggestions to be added in the one house budget. The final budget is due March 31. This is a very short window.

• Enact the 5.4% Human Services COLA -The Senate agreed with the Governor and agreed for one for next budget year as well.
• Amendment for the $3000.00 for DSP’s-we were asking for them to have it every year as well as 15 hours for part time and 35 hours for full time.  In addition, the Senate looked at the benefits cliff. It was put in that it will not affect people who get government assistance. This was changed but it’s only a one-time bonus.  
• Asking for state wide Health care transformation program -asking for all OPWDD providers to be included not just the Article 16 clinics. The Governor included everyone.
• Nurses across New York Tuition loan forgiveness program– IDD has been approved for this loan
• Capital Funding

Accept the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program

Amend the SHCFTP to include/DD community -based providers

OPWDD included in this, added language

Workers with disabilities tax credit-asked for extension for 6years. Senate extended for 3 years instead of the 6.

Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools

• SED Senate agreed with the 1.25 million with special education the rate methodology reform. Sed would like to hire a consultant. This should involve stake holders in the new design.

Department of Health

• Repeal MRT#26 -Article 16 clinics-1% increase across the board which includes Article 28 clinics
• Restored 230,00 and repealed utilization thresholds. Still doing research as to why this occurred.
• Medicaid financial eligibility expansion in the budget raises the allowed income for the Disabled, Aged and Blind category to $1461, which helps a great many of our people. And it removes entirely the asset test, which will allow people to accumulate $ from SSDI income or receive a back payment without having to create an SNT in their name. A big administrative relief for individuals & their families, or the agencies that administer benefits for them.
• March 23^rd in person rally in the Capital-registration link and a save the date available

VIII Committee Reports:

Family & Provider Information Committee:  Co-Chairs: Yesenia Estrella & Luisa Eusse-Roché

March 16^th will be our next meeting 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

We will have a presentation by Paola Martinez Boone from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest on Future Planning. We will discuss topics such as Guardianship, Special Needs Trust, Supported Decision Making and more.

We are in the process of updating our resource guide. You should be receiving an email soon. Providers, please take the time to update the guide. It is an important resource to the families.

Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker

• Friday March 4^th 5 borough virtual event.- It was a huge success. Over 500 People attended. Thank you Lynn, Mary and Jim who represented the Manhattan DD council and worked so hard on this event to make it a success.
• Thank you Sabina Smith our Manhattan family representative who told a nice clear story and shared our advocacy objectives.
• A moment of Silence to remember those lost to Covid-19 and in the Ukraine
• Carlene Brathwaite was a masterful MC
• The following public officials offered remarks:
• Kerri Neifeld, OPWDD Commissioner
• Lidiya Lednyak, Asst Comm. of NYC Early Intervention
• Janice Chisholm, Asst Commissioner NYC DOHMH
• Honored For their tireless work to benefit all people with IDD.
• Senator Richard Gottfried &
• Tom McAlvanah, CEO, IAC
• The following legislators and/or their Aides in person or on video
• NYS Senators:  Cordell Cleare, Gustavo Rivera, John Mannion, Brad Hoylman, Andrew Goundardes, Roxanne Persaud,Gale
• NYS Assembly Members: Stacey Pheffer-Amato , David Weprin  Tom Abinanti Jeffrey Dinowitz Paladino. Harvey Epstein,  Michael Cusick ,Gale Brewer
• Each borough’s DD Council tackled an issue: (In order of appearance)
• Queens: Early Intervention & Special Education Schools
• Bronx: Clinical Services
• Brooklyn: Self Direction
• Manhattan: Day Programs/Com-Hab, Employment
• Staten Island: Residential

• Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer  
• on Mach 9th. AHRC went through each page of the application page by page to help families fill out the paperwork. There were 58  people who came and were able to go through the process
• April will be the family reimbursement workshop. We encourage all agencies to attend. Families should use the money in order for the money to keep coming in.

Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers

February 9th @ 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

 Adult Services Meet & Greet

It was a very well attended meeting. We had 16 people present. The presentation will be available on YouTube soon.

Save the Date(s)! –| April Is Transition Month (Again!) – Various service providers presenting throughout the month. It will be more in depth than the February meeting. | 6/15 – Self-Direction for Adult Day Services

– If you’d like to be added to our email list you can email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov and David.Summers@ahrcnyc.org

New Business

This is an election year for the DD council!

Margaret will coordinate the nominating committee. Positions available:

DD Council offices up for election are Chair, Family Vice Chair, Provider Vice Chair , Secretary & Treasurer. To nominate yourself or someone else for DD Council officer positions, please email Margaret at Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.