Manhattan DD Council Minutes

1. I.         Introductions were complete

 

1. II.       Minutes were approved; if you were unable to open them, or would like to refer to past minutes, they are available as always on the DD Council website: (wwmanhattanddcouncil.org).

 

III.       Announcements

Please see the attached announcements.

Presentation on the NYS Executive Budget by Peter Pierri, Executive Director, InterAgency Council (IAC)

OPWDD: Peter reported that the Governor’s proposed budget is flat this year, with no cuts,much like previous budgets. It includes:

• $30M state share for new services for people aging out of residential schools, graduates, and new people for all services (residential, respite, community hab, adult day services, etc.) all in one pot. This is the same amount provided in last year’s budget.
• $52M for community-based services for 52 people leaving developmental centers and

100 leaving state-operated ICFs and transitioning to nonprofits

• $15M START expansion in NYC and Long Island
• $15M for affordable housing for set-asides and other types of development opportunities.

This is an increase over the previous $5M allocated for this purpose.

• .02% trend/COLA, which works out to 3 cents/hour.

No funding is included to pay for the Governor’s proposed new phased-in minimum wage increase to $15/hour. This is our most important issue. Our field is asking for funding not only to reach the $15 minimum, but also for funding to maintain the differential that now exists between the current minimum and the slightly higher salaries paid to our DSPs. Our DSPs should not become minimum wage workers. Our field and home health have more DSPs than any other health care or human services field. Additionally, our providers have no other source of income than government funding; Medicaid pays for almost 100% of our services. IAC is working with a human services coalition, which is not as clear about maintaining the differential. To advocate for appropriate funding, the Coalition of Provider Associations is planning rallies across the state on March 10 and 11. IAC is organizing a rally March 11, 11am-1pm, in front of the Governor’s Manhattan office at 633 Third Ave. There is also a letter-writing campaign on IAC’s website. IAC is asking for increases for all the DSP categories (DSPs, drivers, receptionists, residential managers, supervisors, but not clinicians) that received the last 2% COLA.

IAC’s other budget requests are for a higher trend/COLA, more funding for residential services, or downsizing ICFs, for getting jobs for people with DD.

Special Education: 4410 preschool special education is in funding crisis now, having received only a 2% increase over the last 7 years. UPK is recruiting 4410 teachers. Some schools lost 50% of their teachers; there are still vacancies in February. Some preschools closed, disrupting education for 550 students, some of whom were dislocated twice when their second 4410 also closed. IAC is asking for:

• Tuition increases for 4410 and 853 schools
• MTA payroll tax exemption for 4410 schools. The public schools are already exempt.

1. IV. State News – Donna Limiti

• START: two agencies have been selected to administer the START programs. SUS will operate the program in Staten Island and Brooklyn; YAI in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. The agencies are in the process of hiring and training staff, and the program will roll out over the next year or so. First, will be crisis prevention and intervention; later, respite. START won’t replace other programs; it will supplement them.
• CAS (Coordinated Assessment System) will replace the DDP2 for assessments. CAS will assess level of need and determine level of resources. CAS will begin with assessments of adults who are newly eligible, self-directing with budget authority, transitioning from developmental centers or residential schools, receiving residential services, eligible for the FIDA-IDD. Assessments will begin in March; resource allocation will be implemented in the future. The CAS process includes an interview with the person, with a guardian, and with another who knows the person well. Maximus will conduct CAS for FIDA-eligible individuals.
• The HCBS waiver renewal plan is open for public comment until March 4, 2016. You can find the renewal plan online or see a hard copy at the DDRO (contact Claudette Walker 646-

766-3222). The renewal plan includes information about the HCBS settings transition plan and about FIDA.

• 2015 Manhattan placements were all backfills: 13 Priority One people; 9 Priority Two

people. Manhattan’s residential waiting list is 491.

1. City News – Sandra Piggee

An RFP is out for recreation/socialization services for people with ASD for over $1M. This is a gap program for people who are not eligible for OPWDD services or waiting for OPWDD services. There is also an RFP for DD clinical services for medication management, rehabilitation services, and evaluations for $800,000; the provider must be an Article 16 to qualify. This is also a gap program for people who are uninsured or underinsured or not eligible for OPWDD services or waiting for OPWDD services. These RFPs are funded by the City Council. Proposals are due March 11. Public Health Solutions (PHS) is controlling the RFP process. Council discussion produced many of the preceding details. Council members expressed the need for better communication around the RFP process.

1. VI. IAC/Federation – Jim Malley

IAC:

See above presentation.

Federation:

DD Council chairs and borough representatives met February 10 and discussed the above- mentioned RFP and local services planning. The annual local plan meeting will be April 5. Manhattan participants will meet beforehand to review and update last year’s plan.

The borough Councils are discussing preliminary legislative positions. All will make the DSP/minimum wage increase their main focus.

VII. Committee Reports

Family Support Services: The committee is exploring alternative, more centrally located, reasonably priced venues for next year’s Fair. Suggestions are welcome. The February committee meeting was underattended, although the new location, Sinergia, is easy to get to. Next meeting: Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 10:00 am – noon, Sinergia, 2082 Lexington Ave. at 125th Street, 4th floor. Information: Yesenia Estrella (212) 643-2840 x 349; yestrella@sinergiany.org.

Legislative: The committee met twice last month. The Legislative Breakfast is March 11. The DSP/minimum wage issue will be the focus of all the speeches, addressed from different perspectives. The audience will be legislators but also providers, families, and self-advocates. We are extending a special invitation to DSPs to attend. A rally sponsored by IAC will follow the Breakfast. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.

Transition: The committee met February 9 and got an update on the 2016 graduates. Two-thirds have eligibility and MSC and are engaged in the Front Door process. About 12-15 families are somewhat resistant. The committee brainstormed about ways to involve some of these parents. Next meeting: Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 80 Van Dam Street, 6th floor. Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.

Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council: At the February 4 meeting, Richard Bosch, IAC, reported on the Governor’s proposed budget.Members expressed interest in learning about the Able Act. A joint meeting so-sponsored by the DD Council was subsequently arranged. There will be no March meeting in order to encourage families to attend the Legislative Breakfast. Next meeting, jointly held with the DD Council: Thursday, April 14, 9:30 an – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, Penthouse. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.

Service Coordination: Next meeting: Friday, March 18, 2016, 10:00 am – noon, UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room. Topic: Hope Levy, IAC, will explain the new MSC requirements regarding person-centered services. The annual MSC Forum will be held June 2 at Pace University. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.

Childrens/Education Committee: This committee is in need of a co-chair. To volunteer or to suggest someone, please contact Christina Muccioli. Next meeting: TBA. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.