Manhattan DD Council Minutes 4/16/24

The March 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

ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City

Openings in all programs: family reimbursement, housing advocacy, home modifications & repairs, RESTORE grant, Access to Home grant, clinical services, adult & children’s services

ADAPT Community Network has funds available in all boroughs for Family Reimbursement. ADAPT Community Network offers Family Reimbursement, Housing Advocacy, Home Modifications, Clinical Services, Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Overnight Respite, Free Educational Workshops, and more. Please call our information and referral line, Project Connect, at 877-827-2666 or email projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org for more information.

ADAPT Community Network is excited to announce our annual virtual Family Connect Summit will be Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. Please visit www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org for more information or follow us on social media @adaptwechange.

Lifespire

Family support, behavior management – available in person or remote, parent training service

Email Jay Kleinman, Jkleinman@lifespire.org or call 646-338-5632 for more info or to refer.

Extended Home Care

Services for children and adults: home care, OT, PT, speech therapy

Rachel Plakstis, Vice President of IDD Services

Rplakstis@extendedhc.net CELL: 917-202-0123 ,OFFICE: 212-356-4200 ext 3404

Calvin Fraser

Director of IDD services at EHC

914.338.9990

Cfraser@extendedhc.net

Any families interested in Home Care services, occupational, physical and speech therapy for kids and adults feel free to contact me.

NY Deaf Blind Collaborative

CHARGE Syndrome Conference: Sharing this wonderful opportunity for professionals and families to learn https://conta.cc/3Jozrk0

Alexandra.Fiallos@qc.cuny.edu NYDBC nydeafblind.org

Sinergia

Openings in family support, family reimbursement, education advocacy, Non-Medicaid case management, free evaluations for OPWDD eligibility (non-Medicaid families residing in Manhattan)

We provide family support services, non-Medicaid case management, free evaluation for Manhattan residents, as well as Education Advocacy for participant ages 3-21 who are OPWDD eligible and reside In Manhattan.

If you are interested in these services or would like more information, please contact the following.

212-643-2840 Ext. 367

jlaranivar@sinergiany.org

212-643-2840 Ext. 602

intake@sinergiany.org

website: https://www.sinergiany.org/

intake@sinergiany.org

Please follow us on our new Instagram!

YAI

YAI LINK: 212-273-6164

Openings for behavior management in Manhattan

Free Evaluations: For a free Evaluation Grant, a person must be ineligible for Medicaid and they must have documentation of a previous diagnosis of a developmental disability (i.e., intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder).

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.

YAI Crisis Intervention is accepting referrals for Queens and Manhattan. We currently support with behavior management, counseling and connecting to other services and support.

Crisis Intervention

Manhattan Crisis Intervention: 212-273-6200 English ext. 4630 Spanish ext. 4629 manhattancrisisintervention@yai.org

Queens Crisis Intervention: 718-793-2182 English ext. 8540 Spanish ext. 8541 queenscrisisintervention@yai.org

Open The Lid

We offer web-based technology classes for any age, label or location.

-Want to Use Technology Independently?

-Surf the Web Safely?

-Learn Online Productivity Tools?

-Socialize Safely Online?

Click This Link for a Free Trial Week of Open the Lid, Web-Based Technology Classes —> https://www.openthelid.com/offers/hvFMmTt4

EMAIL support@openthelid.com

CALL/TEXT 607-339-8092

Broker, Care Manager, or FI?

Join Open the Lid’s FREE Virtual, Effective Communication Training for Different Individuals & Family styles on Thursday,21st September 2023 at 12 pm EST

Spend More Time Changing Lives & Less Time Chasing Emails!

-Sign Up Here—> https://www.openthelid.com/pl/234321

-Learn 6 Communication Challenges & Strategies

-Understand Personal Communication Barriers

-Identify Coping Strategies You Can Use NOW

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

Good Morning, I am Lindsey Stilson, outreach & marketing specialist for Goodwill Industries! We have openings in our Day Habilitation without walls with a focus on employment and Saturday Respite located in East Harlem. If you have any questions please call or email at lstilson@goodwillny.org or (347)906-2556, thank you! We are also open and enrolling in Downtown Brooklyn and Queens!

Ohel Bais Ezra

Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan Brooklyn and Queens

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

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 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/

10/18 Paola Martinez-Boone-NY Lawyers-Special Education Training-Know Your Rights: The Disability Justice Program of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) is offering FREE special education training.

Spanish on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Register here link to register/Spanish-https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vduyppj4jHtQtXA9ai5TnsJPiS7IbpF6C?_x_zm_rtaid=rSFf2duvSYCmpB9nBMuzHg.1697547122452.8506596d719fb93379beaad490e12696&_x_zm_rhtaid=118#/registration

YI-Please check NYLPI’s report: A crisis in Special Education-New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) and our two private sector partners, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, are pleased to announce our new report, “A CRISIS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: New York City’s Failure to Educate Students Classified with ‘Emotional Disability.’” The full report can be found here. The report is a result of several years of research by the authors and multiple years of work on special education cases, as well as consultations with experts in the field.

NYLPI Releases New Report: “A Crisis In Special Education” Details New York DOE’s Failure to Support Students Classified with Emotional Disability

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

GHO

亞美GHO (www.ghoinc.org) has openings on site-based, day Hab without Walls, and employment programs.

Family Support services including non-Medicaid free psychological/psychosocial evaluation (Queens families only), Family Reimbursement(Qns & Manhattan only), and case management to assist families who are new to OPWDD and seeking services. Bilingual speaking staff available in Chinese and Korean.

Info/Question/Referral?

Call Pat Liu @ 718-307-6563 or Pat@ghoinc.org

CCO/CDNY Intake assistance for Chinese or Korean speaking families.

718-307-6564 (Chinese)

718-307-6570 (Korean)

Family Reimbursement for Manhattan families through GHO. Contact Pat Liu 718-307-6563 or Pat@ghoinc.org

Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC)

QSAC has openings for In Home Behavior Management, Family Reimbursement and Non Medicaid Service Coordination. Email: serena.windett@qsac.com Phone: 212-244-5560 ext 2091

The Center for Family Support (CFS)

Vacancies for NMSC services in the Manhattan and Queens area, we also have Family Reimbursement in the listed areas above. Please contact Natasha Salazar at 516-292-3000 ext. 401 or nsalazar@cfsny.org

Offers waivered Community Habilitation, Day Hab without Walls, Supported Employment, & Respite/Home Care in the 5 boroughs. Inquiries and referrals for all services can be made through our website: New York Programs and Services – The Center for Family Support (cfsny.org)

New York Programs and Services

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.

CHDFS

Availability in 1) in need of OPWDD services 2) Whether you want to work with us part time as a provider or 3) or know of any cases on your caseload in need of HCBS?CFTSS?OPWDD services These three opportunities include all of NYC’s boroughs as well as Rockland County/ Lower Hudson Valley Please feel free to email me at Evallejo@CHDFS.org for any further inquiries.

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 with a focus on employment and Saturday Respite located in East Harlem. If you have any questions please call or email at lstilson@goodwillny.org or (347)906-2556, thank you! We are also open and enrolling in Downtown Brooklyn and Queens!

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

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 needed presentation on disability systemwide email accessibility@mtahq.org Seniors call MTA Government 646-252-2660 Link omny.info Baby stroller https://new.mta.info/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

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

NYSID

has openings for Camp Reimbursement. Contact Jackie Tripodi at 929-202-1115 or email her at jtripodi@nysidinc.org for more information.

T care support

Home care based services. Support children with P3 . Supporting children who are not getting their full IEP services. Arianne Saxton, T Care Support

347-774-1660 and a.saxton@tcaresupport.com

We specialize is staffing, HCBS services and P3/SETTS

HCBS- Home and community based services (HCBS) provide opportunities for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community for individuals age 0-21 with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illnesses.

P3- P3/SETTS is a program designed to provide academic support to students who require individualized attention due to a variety of reasons. We also offer Related Services that include Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Speech Therapy, Health Paras, Mental Health Counselors, and more. These services are crucial for students who require extra assistance to meet their academic potential. P3/SETTS can help students improve their academic performance by providing individualized attention that is tailored to their unique needs. The Related Services we offer can help students with physical or cognitive disabilities to access their education and develop the skills they need to succeed.

Titus School

Located in Manhattan. We support a wide range of children with special needs. In addition, we support children with mental health issues as well. We have an 8:4 ratio.

Unique Care Community Services- We have opening in our Manhattan Day Hab, Com-Hab and Respite please feel free to reach out ajames@uniquecarenyc.org

BHRAGS Home Care Corp

Robean Morris, Case Manager

347-676-0849

rmorris@bhrags.org

2005 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210

III. State News – Samrawitt Tadesse

Statewide Direct Support Professional Recruitment Campaign

Connecting job seekers to employers in the field
3/19 launch – #MoreThanWork
Website: directsupportcareers.com
Interested providers can email OPWDD’s communications office

April is Autism Acceptance Month

Moving from awareness to acceptance & understanding
OPWDD highlighting benefits of supports to people with ASD

Strategic Forums

To be held throughout state & virtually in June & July
More info to be shared soon

State Budget

Proposed FY 2024-25 executive budget announced, expected to be voted on soon
Funding to be increased by 8.4%
New opportunities for independence for people with I/DD

New ADM Proposal

New regulations for Fiscal Intermediary (FI) reimbursement
Communities of practice for FIs

V. City News –

The 5 borough chairs have begun to meet with city representatives to talk about the city planning.

VI. IAC Report – Richard Bosch

State Executive Budget Proposal

Education

Working on “hold harmless” policy for education funding
Mayoral control of NYC schools proposed to continue
Preschool enhancement program proposed
Teacher survey showed need for greater communication between agency & staff

Town Hall meetings for Preschool families and programs Wednesday and Thursday:

Manhattan Town Hall (4/17 at 6pm):

Date: Wednesday, April 17th

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Registration: Please register at https://forms.office.com/r/XmuTcJQ4W5 (English) or https://forms.office.com/r/MrSgEu301R (Spanish)

Queens Town Hall (4/18 at 6pm):

Date: Thursday, April 18th

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Registration: Please register at https://forms.office.com/r/kqeLqeYMrp (English) or https://forms.office.com/r/QB1Q9hwp9J (Spanish)

State Budget

Governor’s proposal and one-house budget proposal responses have been released
IAC members involved in advocating for inclusion of I/DD funding throughout budget process
Services costs to providers have risen, rates need to rise to match
Direct support wage enhancement proposed, included in governor’s proposal, included in Senate proposal but not in Assembly proposal
Governor’s proposal included language to hold schools harmless based on enrollment changes
Early intervention rate increases included in proposals
[More info in recording/transcript]

VII. Committee Reports:

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

FSS Funding

Manhattan given $240,000 for FSS programming
Need to respond with RFPs to address unmet need
Seeking provider agency input (Parent Support Groups, Socialization & Recreation Programs)
Staffing support for high needs individuals (e.g. 1:1 staff, additional staff)
Strong family interest in starting a family support group
Questions about DOE funded transportation for after school recreation programs
Contact Mary & Jackie with additional suggestions: manhattanfamilyadvisory@gmail.com

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

Last Meeting:

March 13th – Home Modifications

Recording available now

Next Meeting:

May 8th – Crisis Services & Supports

Legislative Committee

Expanding work to ongoing advocacy with local legislators for I/DD issues & needs

If you are interested in being more involved please reach out to Kathy Kelly.

Transition Committee: Co-Chairs: Andrew Harris and David Summers

Last Meeting:

Manhattan Adult Services Meet & Greet 2024 (5th Annual!)

Wednesday, February 14th, 10:00am

18 organizations presented about services available for adults with I/DD living in Manhattan, including day habilitation programs, employment services, community classes & more

Meeting recording available now: https://youtu.be/zHsYNpKR8SY?si=KX8ZXX8rAyMKdH4K

Next Meeting:

April 17th @ 10:00am

Guest presentation on STEPS2 research study from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

Zoom Info Coming Soon!

We meet 2nd Wednesdays every other month (even numbered months)

Updated directory of adult services for Manhattan residents with I/DD also available on manhattanddcouncil.org, and email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov if you’d like to have your organization’s info included in this directory.

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

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

David Summers, AHRC NYC, david.summers@ahrcnyc.org

New Business

Manhattan Family & Professional Resource Fair 2024

Tuesday, May 21st, 9:00am-2:00pm @ CUNY Graduate Center

More Info & RSVP:

Manhattan Family & Professional Resource Fair 2024

5 Borough DD Council Virtual Legislative Breakfast

March 1st @ 10:00am

Good turnout – ~400 participants

Presented to legislators on concerns and this year’s state budget

Thank you to all who attended! Meeting recording coming soon