Manhattan DD Council Minutes 11/12/24

The October 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).

We acknowledge recent passing of Ed Mathews from ADAPT community network

Ed worked or ADAPT for many years and has been involved in the field for over 50 years leading us through de-institutionalisation. He will be missed as we move forward.

Condolences to Ed’s family and his adapt family and all those he has touched over the years

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 in person and via Zoom and we appreciate everyone who participates

NY State Institute on Disability

Doris Khan

Family support service provider agency

Family reimbursement available for Manhattan families (camp, goods, services, etc.)

Jackie Tripodi, 929-202-1115, jtripodi@nysidinc.org

NYC FAIR

Upcoming town fair on CAS is canceled. Stay tuned for rescheduled town hall!

Sinergia

Openings for evaluations, case management, family reimbursement, housing advocacy, educational advocacy

Johana Santana, jsantana@sinergiany.org

YAI

Manhattan Crisis Intervention- We provide support with behavior management, toilet training, counseling and support connecting with other services including OPWDD eligibility. To place a referral, you can reach out to 212-273-6200 or email manhattancrisisintervention@yai.org

We also have openings in our other Manhattan programs:

Socialization Skills- a socialization program for people ages 9 and up with a diagnosis of autism. There are 10 weekly sessions in the fall and spring. Some of the topics reviewed include friendships, communication, social boundaries, etc.

Parents with Special Needs- PWSN empowers parents with developmental disabilities through direct support and skills training, to become more independent and successful parents. Some of the topics reviewed include parenting and family empowerment, skills training that include infant care, behavior management, safety awareness, time management and other topics. Parents must have parental rights of the child.

Independent Living Skills- This program features ongoing weekly group sessions spread across two semesters (10 weeks each). Topics covered include budgeting, nutrition & kitchen safety, decision making, problem solving, community & internet safety, stress management.

To place a referral for any of these programs please reach out to grouptraining@yai.org

***Next Independent Living Skills group for Bronx and Brooklyn residents begins Thursday on 12/05/2024 until 2/06/2025

212-273-6200

GHO

Services available: Day hab, day hab without walls, prevocational, non-Medicaid case management to assist families seeking OPWDD eligibility, evaluations, CCO referral, family reimbursement, assistance for Chinese & Korean speaking families

Contact Pat Liu Chang, 718-307-6563, Pat@ghoinc.org

Lifespire

Openings in Manhattan behavior management & parent training program (virtual or in-person), no wait list

Call Jay Kleinman, 646-338-5632 or email jkleinman@lifespire.org

ADAPT Community Network

ADAPT Community Network offers a wide range of supports including Family Reimbursement, Housing Assistance Services, Doorways to Independence (home modification and repair program), Community Habilitation, Overnight Respite, Day Habilitation, Health Services, Early Childhood and School-Age programs, and more. Please contact Project Connect at 877-827-2666 or fill out “getting started” online form for more information https://adaptcommunitynetwork.org/service-options/getting-started/.

1-877-827-2666 for more info

QSAC

Openings in Manhattan day habilitation program, 718-728-8476 x1222, jnunez@qsac.com

Openings in non-Medicaid case management and SD broker services, 212-244-5560 x2059

Ohel Bais Ezra

Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan Brooklyn and Queens

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

Everett Community Services

Location in Brooklyn, openings in community habilitation & respite, day habilitation without walls (Bronx, available for Bronx & Manhattan residents)

Christopher O’Connor, 718-255-5946 x4056

Care Design NY

Care Coordination Organization (CCO), offering Care Manager services

Accepting new referrals, including those coming from other CCOs with wait lists

Assisting families through OPWDD eligibility, Medicaid enrollment, Medicaid waiver/parental deeming process

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

Esperanza -site based day program in Manhattan and the Bronx as well as recreational programs for adults. 212-928-5810

NYLPI – NY Lawyers assistance regarding Higher education (students attending college in NYS only) FACING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION? FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE For Students in New York Navigating Challenges in Higher Education due to a Disability What We Offer: • Advice and Referrals • Accommodation Advocacy • Appeals and Grievances • Representation Getting Started: Contact us to schedule your free consultation and get connected to a Disability Justice Attorney to explore how we may be able to assist. Disability Justice Program New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (212) 244-4664 (voice/relay)

MTA– Reminder 59^th St is being replaced by switch replacement, please give yourself additional time.

MTA will be hosting an open house information coming. Please check MTA website for information.

Access A ride assessment centre is now in lower Manhattan (3 stone Street) by appointment

Please do not park vans in bus stops.

AHRC- AHRC NYC has openings for Free Evaluations for Individuals who do not have Medicaid and are seeking OPWDD eligibility. Contact Marrissa.mcmillan@ahrcnyc.org or the Referral Information Center at 212-780-4491 or referrals@ahrcnyc.org

AHRC NYC has openings for Family Reimbursement. Contact Casey Barba at 917-715-8035 or AHRC.FamilyReimbursementPrograms@ahrcnyc.org

III. State News – James Doherty, Samrawit Tadesse

There are limited updates this month
Workforce and recruitment efforts ; OPWDD continues to work with CUNY/SUNY . There are over 20 schools in the micro credential course . Most people are currently already DSPs. 32 million dollar investment to allow Suny to expand the program on other campuses. OPWDD hope to support 6000 students by 20230
Guide house evaluation of self direction: Guide house will continue to work directly with the families. OPWDD continues to assess where they can make improvements.
They will create a manual so families know what is available in the self-direction community. In the past there has not been an official guide or manual.
Managed care evaluation by guide house-They have provide report to OPWDD-(Guidehouse, Inc. completed its 18-month evaluation and provided its Final Report to OPWDD. The Final Report is available to read here: Managed Care Assessment | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (ny.gov) If anyone has questions about the Guidehouse Final Report evaluation, they may email ARPA.Inquiry@opwdd.ny.gov.
OPWDD continue working with the CCO’s for improvement in the system. There are working on items such as:
Not working-provider shortage and lack of trained providers
Access to quality care is harder for people with complex care and living in rural areas.
People not being able to receive proper medical and dental care.
OPWDD has not made a decision from the recommendations.
OPWDD stake holders are encouraged to read the final report.

IV. Reyana Mckenzie, DOMHM

Community Service Board subcommittee position open for self-advocate

Contact Reyana Mckenzie, rmckenzie@health.nyc.gov
Group comprised of parents, providers, self-advocate wanted
November 12^th will be the next DD meeting. In person 2pm-3:30PM at the Gotham office. -link in chat.
Vacancy for the DD sub committee which they would like to fill with life experience.

V. IAC Report – Richard Bosch

IAC acknowledges the loss of Ed Mathews. Ed has been a huge part of the OPWDD foundation. Ed was involved in everything. He will be truly missed. Any new initiative Ed was speaking to the governor and all of the others agencies. ED had a wonderful sense of humour and always did his job with joy.

Updates

Reminder- The bureau of child care children 6 months -6 years must be immunized by December 31.
Rally is November 19^th in Albany Starts 11AM in the war room.
IAC has gained many new members because of self direction. IAC is a forum of people who work with self Direction. Mary Knox is the head of this and works with OPWDD
IAC training department is back in full. SCIP,AMAP and specialty topics available . to sign up for training please go to our website:
IACNY.org- look under evets or trainings.
If someone is missing from Day Hab or residence. It’s important the agencies know what to do.
- You should have up to date information ready to go.
- Have a good photo of the person.
- Have a good relationship with fire department, police precinct and hospitals.
- Common errors-forget police precinct number
- Please send information in word format.
- Please include photo
- DO NOT INCLUDE FAMLY PHONE NUMBERS!
- Always state where person was last seen and if they are on medication.
- Important to note how the person communicates
- NY 1 800-346-3543
- NYC police department 212-694-7782

Lobby Days

2/25 & 2/26
Education lobby days 5/6

DSP wages are not in line with the level of skills and responsibility. Legislature should create a wage study as we need to be competitive.

Enhance capital funding.

Compensation to state op staff get $28.00 to start vs $17.00 per hour. Upstate $25.00 hr vs $16.54 hour

V. Manhattan DD Council Reports

Membership Dues

Resuming dues collection for member provider agencies, email coming soon
Dues had been on pause during Covid while events were slower
Provide funding for annual events including Family & Professional Resource Fair & Legislative Breakfast
Member agencies receive benefits: agency info and events posted on Manhattan DD Council website, discount on resource fair vendor table fees

VI. Committee Reports:

Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co-Chairs: Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer

Next meeting will be on Tuesday December 3^rd, 2024

Topic will be Travel Training 101

Presented by: Stephanie Rozanski and Lisa Kornegay from YAI.

In this webinar, you will hear an in-depth overview of a structured travel training program tailored for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities ages 14 and up. Attendees will learn the stages of training and how to teach some of the critical skills required with a special focus on traveling with strangers.

You’ll also learn about the comprehensive services YAI offers to empower individuals who want to learn independent travel , navigating New York City with confidence. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or advocate, this session is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and tools to support independent travel for people with IDD.

Registration Link
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwud-qppz0iGNB-iwhG5QnVEC6luqlN019n

Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Luisa Eusse-Roché

Family Reimbursement Meeting – 9/18 @ 10am, co-sponsored with MFSSAC

We meet meet every odd numbered month starting in October

Next meeting will be November 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The topic will be:

“Applying for Waiver and Family Support Services: What You Need to Know”

Applying for services through OPWDD is a multilayer process that has not only changed over the last few years, but also become a process that isn’t possible without the whole team working together. We’ll discuss the steps, strategies and answer any questions you may have.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89138994385?pwd=kn3anU8OqcMyrGGY0XJnM5aDe4i4jk.1

Meeting ID: 891 3899 438

Passcode: 230334

Transition Committee: Co-Chairs: Andrew Harris and Pat Liu Chang

Last meeting was on Wednesday, October 9th “What’s Next After High School? Navigating Services for Adults with I/DD”. We had great turnout and great questions from parents

12/11 hybrid meeting Future planning by Paola Martinez Boone, NY Lawyers for the public Interest.

Learn About:

Supported Decision Making

Power of Attorney & Health Care Proxy, Trusts & ABLE Accounts, Guardianship & More

Networking Time (In-Person Only): 11:00-11:30am

Meet with representatives of adult service provider agencies Learn about adult programs & services, have the opportunity to meet people who can help!

Join in person at Sinergia; 2028 Lexington Avenue 4th floor NYNY 10035.

Virtual https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87234325224?pwd=yWjuCsH1dUBJHZ1dMfCn6ZYb3KPlHV.1

Meeting ID: 872 3432 5224
Passcode: 144248

Save the date annual adult meet and greet 2/12 via zoom. Everyone will learn about Day Hab employment services and more.

Meeting second Wednesday of every other month (even numbered months)

Planning to hold December, April & June meetings in person
Stay tuned for Zoom & in-person meeting info!

Save the Date!

Adult Services Meet & Greet
Wednesday, February 12th @ 10am (Zoom)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:

Andrew Harris, P138M, aharris27@schools.nyc.gov

Pat Liu Chang, GHO, pat@ghoinc.org

New Business

Next Meeting:

Tuesday December 12^th, hybrid (in-person at YAI & virtual on Zoom)