Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council
Next Meeting
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
10:00 A.M.
Come and hear updates from providers, OPWDD, and New York City DOHMH
Learn what’s happening as we continue to work to ensure services and supports for people with I/DD!
Hybrid Meeting – Join In Person OR Virtual
In Person:
NY Lawyers for the Public Interest, 151 W 30th St #11, NY, NY 10001
Virtual:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97723827673?pwd=CDw2MFQvdvNvaIMgxOWiumRPmPiCBV.1
Meeting ID: 977 2382 7673 / Passcode: 983899
One tap mobile: +19292056099,,97723827673#,,,,*983899#
Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
March 18, 2025
I. Introductions
The December 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 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
Sinergia
Openings for evaluations, case management, family reimbursement, housing advocacy, educational advocacy
Residences in Manhattan
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
openings in 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- 18 years+. 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.
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. As well as CDNY
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
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).
Free Special Education Workshop – Know Your Rights!
FREE Special Education Workshop for Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals
Join us for a free, informative workshop to learn about your rights and how to navigate the special education system.
Dates & Language Options:
· English Training: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
· Spanish Training: Thursday, April 17, 2025
· Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
· Participation is by reservation only.
· Register Here:
Register Here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/I1s6CGwnRMSanqG8PkhnZQ - English
Registrese aqui https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FxtTfRo9QJCsQAUW339vAQ - Spanish
MTA
Reminder 59th 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 Centre 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
GoodWill– Day Hab vacancies
Excellent Home Care– Home care particularly focusing on minors to help with therapies and nursing. It is completely to the IEP. Contact us to explore if we can help you.
NYstate institute on disability-reimbursement for good service and camp-Jackie Trapodi
III. State News – James Doherty
Proposed Executive NYS Budget
- Self Direction; 3 year contract extensions have gone to the comptroller
- Georgetown is hosting a family listening session for parent, guardian or individual who has the most knowledge of their family member. This can be a group or individual phone session. There will be a consent sign tat needs to be signed. A $25.00 gift card will be given.
- ADM related to video cameras and recording in residential settings. ADM #2019-01 Video Cameras, Monitoring and Recording in HCBS Residential Settings | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
- Family Support an RFP coming out in April FSS council will identify the awardees and the final awards will come out in August
- Community Transition initiative . One time funding to provide agencies with one time funding opportunity to place people who are aging out by October 31st.
- Security Summit on 3/22 in Utica university to manage cyber threats AI and telecommunication.
- OPWDD annual report is now available in multiple languages.
- Get outdoors and get together days will be held in different parts on Saturday June 14th.
- March is DD awareness month. In honor of DDAM NY state has lit up it’s landmark buildings in orange.
Community Service Board subcommittee position open for self-advocate
- Contact Reyana Mckenzie, rmckenzie@health.nyc.gov
- No updates this month
V. IAC Report –
Updates
- Advocacy
- Lobby Days
- Were a great success, thank you to all who attended – lots of support for our three OPWDD asks
- 7.8% targeted inflationary increase
- Wage Commission to make recommendations to increase direct care salaries
- Return OPWDD rate setting from DOH to OPWDD (new)
- Our SED asks
- Tuition increase (growth) 3.2% (? We will align with SED’s request in their rate methodology letter to DOB)
- Include funding to support students continuing through the end of the year they turn 22
- Continuation of the modifications to the current rate methodology until the new rate methodology is implemented
- Our EI asks
- 5% rate increase
- Implementation of the 4% increase for underserved areas that was approved in last year’s state budget (retroactive to 1/1/25) (this was recently approved!)
- Restore the $32M that was removed from the system with the reduction in telehealth rates.
- Were a great success, thank you to all who attended – lots of support for our three OPWDD asks
- Albany Rally 2/25- War Room at Capitol- also very successful- thank you to all who attended!
- IAC is looking forward to the Councils’ Legislative Breakfast this Thursday.
- Federal situation: Reminder – any cut to federal Medicaid will force states to pay more and cause a redistribution of the dollars available. When this happens all Medicaid funded services are in danger- even if people with disabilities are not the target of the Republican agenda, there isn’t enough fraud, waste and abuse to cover the price tag of the cuts that are on the table.
- There are many sign-on letters, rallies and events being put on by various entities. When you receive info, please participate and share with your groups!
- IAC and our statewide partners are organizing zooms with each of the members of the Republican New York delegation – we’ll circulate the info for constituents to join.
- Statewide Guardians of Medicaid Campaign soon available for participation – will share materials
- Rally in the Valley 3/7- Mike Lawler has said he’d attend
- Lobby Days
- SED News-
- IAC Workgroup on tuition methodology redesign – evaluating what’s been done so far and providing feedback and advocacy
- IAC Education Lobby Day May 6th
- Continuing issues with the new ATLAS system – NYC is aware and working on the issues and accommodations for provider
V. Manhattan DD Council Reports
March 6th was the legislative breakfast was on 3/6 2025. There were over 560 people attending. There were more elected officials than ever before, it was a great success.
VI. Committee Reports:
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co-Chairs: Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council
Guardianship and Future Care Planning
Where do we begin? …..a two part series
Stephanie Baran, Esq., AHRC NYC
Part One: Wednesday, March 26th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/50tjSbM7Sv2a_E3x6QeSug#/
Guardianship Services provides education and outreach to families regarding Article 17-A guardianship as well as alternatives to guardianship.
Alternatives to 17-A Guardianship
It is crucial to remember that guardianship may not always be appropriate and there are other alternatives available to ensure that the individual is properly protected and cared for. Alternatives include Supported Decision-Making, Representative Payee, Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney
Part TWO: Wednesday, April 9th, @ 10:00 am “Assistance with the Application”
Registration link will be sent to ALL Part One participants
Mary McGuire-Weafer & Jackie Goldberg, Co-Chairs / Manhattanfamilyadvisory@gmail.com
Wednesday April 23rd will be a joint meeting with the Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council about the overview of family reimbursement.
Transition Committee: Co-Chairs: Andrew Harris and Pat Liu Chang
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council along with Manhattan Transition Committee
Next meeting is on ZOOM Guardianship & Future Care Planning, Part One, on Wednesday March 26th , 10am-12:00 noon with Stephanie Baran, Esq. AHRC
Part Two is a hybrid meeting “Assistance with the Application” on Wednesday April 9th @‘AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane 10:00 am AND opportunity to join on Zoom !
Please email Mary & Jackie Manhattanfamilyadvisory@gmail.com OR Andrew & Pat Liu at AHarris27@schools.nyc.gov
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
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Luisa Eusse-Roché
Our last meeting was on 3/12/2025 Recent Changes to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in New York State. Over 40 people attended
Wednesday April 23rd will be a joint meeting with the about the overview of family reimbursement.
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council date coming soon!
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