Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council
Next Meeting
Tuesday February 21st, 2022
10:00 A.M.
Virtual Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 933 3291 9204
Passcode: 183158
Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
January 17th , 2022
I. Introductions
The November 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
ManhattanDDcouncil@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
NYC FAIR Town Hall on HCBS waiver settings rules changes on January 26th – OPWDD and NYCLU representatives sharing info. Registration required. Questions being solicited ahead of meeting.
NYC FAIR: Town Hall on HCBS Waiver Settings Rules Changes, 1/26/23 Register Here:https://forms.gle/RCvU3Hy8wYBsy7Y69
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, 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.
ADAPT Community Network is offering a free webinar “How to Understand the Meaning of Your Child’s Challenging Behavior” on Thursday, January 19th 10 am – 11:30 am where you’ll learn positive hands-on coping strategies. Our speaker is Susan Cuoccio who has a Master of Science degree in Special Education with a concentration on autism. Spanish and Cantonese translation will be provided. Registration is required.
Advance Care Alliance
Please contact Frida Valdez, the Outreach Coordinator at ACA/NY. directly at frida.valdez@myacany.org/ 646-633-6842 to discuss the unique support provided for families in our pre-enrollment process into ACA/NY CCO (Care Coordination Organization).
We can assist with applying for OPWDD eligibility, scheduling/completing Psych/ Social/Telehealth Medical evals/ADOS assessments when applicable, and obtaining Medicaid for enrollment into our CCO for Care Management services. We also have:
•Specialized Admissions Coordinator who can help navigate more complex enrollment cases.
•Cultural Liaisons who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages.
•The Linkage Admissions Coordinator will assist with linking people with healthcare needs before enrolling.
Let us know if you have any questions, as we are here to support you! Thank you.
Unique Care Community Services
We have openings in our Group Day Hab, Com-Hab and Respite program. We are accepting individuals. Please email me at ajames@uniquecarenyc.org I can also be reached at 347-784-4622
Goodwill NYNJ
We have openings in our Day Habilitation without walls focusing on employment, Respite, and Advance services located in East Harlem If you have any questions please call or email at lstilson@goodwillny.org or (347)906-2556, thank you!
Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
YAI
Transition To Independence: The Transition to Independence Program is available to people, ages 17-21, who have a diagnosis of autism and live at home with family in Manhattan. Limited spots are available for Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island residents. The program is open to people who are not currently receiving OPWDD HCBS waiver services (ex: Self Direction, respite, NYSTART/CSIDD, community habilitation, day habilitation, supported employment, etc.) and those who do not have OPWDD eligibility.
For more information or a referral please email LINK@YAI.ORG or call 212-273-6182.
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.
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 21st on line training.
NYLPI – Looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid. NYPLI has free 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– GHO has openings:
FSS services(Family Reimbursement and Case Management, Medicaid is not required)
Medicaid Waiver services (Employment program, including SEMP, ETP/Pathway, community based pre-voc., Day Hab w/o walls, site-based Day Hab, Com-Hab and respite. Bilingual staff speaking in Chinese, Korean and ASL available
Info/questions:
call: 718-307–6563/ 6564/6570.
Email: pat@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
reduce fare OMNY go on https://reducefare.mta.info/omny-registration
if need to Presentation Disability systemwide email accessibility@mtahq.org seniors Call mta Government 646-252-2660 link omny.info Baby stroll my mtainfo/accessibility
Please visit the MTA website for the redesign of the new buses from the Bronx into Manhattan. New elevator in Times square.
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 openings in behavior management and parent training in Manhattan. Email Jay Kleinman at jkleinman@lifespire.org for further information or to make referrals
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.
Gateway Counseling Center– We currently have openings for Group Day Hab site-based and Without Walls, Supplemental Group Day Hab, Pre Vocational (Pilot program), and Community Habilitation for Manhattan. To make a referral, I can be reached at (929) 237-7222 or via email mary.tejada@gccnyc.org
III. State News –James Doherty
- On December 14th, updated protocols for isolation of COVID-19 positive people in OPWDD certified residential settings, masking guidance, etc.
- DDROs now referred to as RFO (Regional Field Office). Regional Field Office Administrators oversee each office. Jenine Kirschner now overseeing NYC region.
- https://opwdd.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/12/12.14.2022-revised-isolation-and-precautions-for-individuals-exposed-to-covid-19-in-opwdd-certified-facilitiesinal_0.pdf
- October 13th DOH extended the covid-19 public health emergency for an additional 90 days and the last extension of the public health emergency will end in January 11 2023 and the federal government is committed to providing states with a 60-day notice prior to the end of the public health emergency still extends the some of the provisions under Appendix and it will remain in effect for six months following the end of the public health emergency
- V. City News – Gavin Meyers
Local Services Plan for NYC – forward-looking public health needs assessment for NYC area, covering next 4 years. Will report back to DD Councils when more details become available. Sharing last year’s plan for now. Housing and workforce were most urgent expressed concerns across boroughs.
New Covid vaccines and boosters for age 12+, bivalent shots designed for Omicron. Over 1.1 million NYers have received this shot. Available through CVS, Duane Reade, and other providers listed on city vaccine finder.
Currently 13.3% positive testing rate (percentage of tests coming back positive). Positivity trend decreasing slightly but still in the middle of expected winter surge. Daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths also decreasing.
COVID Treatment Options: People who have tested positive for COVID-19 may be able to receive outpatient treatment to help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and avoid hospitalization. Treatment usually works best if you begin it soon after you start feeling symptoms, so get tested right away.
- Oral antiviral pills: These pills — taken daily for five days — help stop the virus from replicating. This reduces the amount of virus in your body. The FDA has authorized two pills to treat COVID-19 — paxlovid and molnupiravir. Both of these treatments are currently free. Learn more about treatment here!
- Monoclonal antibody treatments are shown not to be effective against currently dominant strains of COVID-19 so are no longer authorized.
- Booster Shots
- New booster is available targeting the omicron subvariant. There is a two month period from your most recent vaccine or if you had covid please wait 90 days.
- At least one vaccine booster shot is recommended for everyone 12 and older who is fully vaccinated.
- If you are eligible, you can get your booster shot two months after you received your first booster. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
- We are still operating free in home vaccines. As well as transportation if you can not get to a site.
- To find more information about the COVID-19 booster visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page
- Monkey Pox
- Currently in New York there is one case per day. eligibility has expanded so anyone of any sexual orientation or gender identity he was at risk for MPV. walk-in clinics will be closing anything soon so a lot of the locations for obtaining this vaccine you can go to your primary care physician. If you need a second dose you need an appointment and it has to be 28 days after the first.
- For information about monkeypox, including vaccination, symptoms, or transmission please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox-vaccination.page
- To get text alerts about vaccination appointments and other monkeypox updates for NYC, text “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692 or, for Spanish, text “MONKEYPOXESP”.
VI. IAC Report – Wini Schiff
- Two new chairs in Albany Assembly. New People with Disabilities Committee chaired by Upper West Side Assemblyperson. Senator John Mannion still serving in State Senate.
- Phyllis Morris from NY State Education Department and Roger Bearden from OPWDD retiring.
- Governor Hochul delivered State of the State address. NY Disability Advocates released a statement of concern that healthcare workforce was not mentioned in speech. Hochul announced $1 billion allocation for mental health services and plans for workforce wage initiatives including pegging minimum wage to inflation. $125 million for Pre-K and designating NY State as model employer for people with disabilities. 13% increase in foundational aid for schools. Most economist predict upcoming recession.
- NY State budget being negotiated currently. Governor’s draft budget not yet released, due by February 1st.
- NYDA advocating for 4% / $2.19/hr increase for direct care workers including DSPs and also a COLA.
- Clinical services – Advocacy push still being drafted
- NYDA Lobby Days – 2/13 & 2/14
- Rally at Willowbrook – 2/10
- Bill introduced by Sen. Mannion mandating 120 days for eligibility determination and service authorization, signed into law.
- NYDA promoting staffing & fiscal survey due 1/19, and DSP quality of life survey
- OTPS cap currently at $3000, has not been scaling with inflation
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools (Chris Treiber)
VIII Committee Reports:
- Seeking 12-14% funding raise for schools
- Early intervention – push for 11% increase in funding
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
January meeting featured Job Path & AHRC presenting about employment services. 30 people including 11 professionals attended. Still discussing topic for next month. Will be participating in February rally and offering rides.
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Luisa Eusse-Roché
January meeting featured information about Life Plan with presenters from Care Design NY and Advance Care Alliance. Recording posted on Manhattan DD Council website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rv3_07uwPY. March meeting planned, topic TBA.
If you are interested in joining please let us know. Meeting on second Wednesdays of odd numbered months.
March meeting will be on the family resource directory.
The updated FSS directory is available on our website (ManhattanDDcouncil.org) in English, Chinese and Spanish.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
Citywide legislative event planned for March 3rd, virtual.
Transition Committee Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David Summers
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 8th – Manhattan Adult Services Meet & Greet
What’s next after high school? Join us online to learn more. A variety of organizations will be sharing about their programs and services, including adult day programs, employment services and more. Hope to see you there!
Meeting ID: 997 2090 1827
Join by phone: 929-205-6099
Questions? aharris27@schools.nyc.gov
Participating Agencies: ADAPT Community Network | Advance Care Alliance | AHRC NYC | Care Design NY | The Center for Family Support | Epilepsy Foundation of Metro NY | Esperanza Center | Fedcap Career Design School | Gateway Counseling Center | General Human Outreach in the Community | Goodwill NYNJ | Lifespire | The NY Foundling | Open The Lid | Quality Services for the Autism Community | Tri County Care
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:
David Summers, AHRC NYC, david.summers@ahrcnyc.org
Andrew Harris, P138M, aharris27@schools.nyc.gov
New Business
Legislative Breakfast 2023
March 3rd
Possible in-person family support fair in late Spring
Future topics of interest: Supported Decision Making NY