Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
April 12, 2022
I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes The May 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
Manhattan DDcouncil@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
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(not in Manhattan), 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.
Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
YAI
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.
Transition to independence for people with Autism who are not waiver enrolled
Crisis Intervention
Day Habilitation
YAI Arts Day Hab without Walls
Emergency Respite Fund
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 frees 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– We have openings in CH, DH, DHWOW, Job training/employment program, IRA, etc. We have family reimbursement money as well We will have upcoming workshops and social parents gathering virtually for Korean and Chinese speaking families. For all information inquiries, feel free to contact me at 718-307-6570 or via e-mail: dquirk@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
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 behavior management openings 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.
Special presentation from the NY Alliance-Ryan Cox& Louis Cavaliere
- A valuable Free Resource -A website designed to be a resource to any agency or individual that might find it valuable
- A website that has risk management information, which identify’ s weaknesses in existing risk management plans
- Utilize the resources on the website to enhance your knowledge base.
- Ability to work collaboratively on the plan as part of your senior leadership team
- The website is a password website as it connects to a business continuity plan
- There is an initial quiz that you can take to see how well your organization stands in terms of risk management.
- The business continuity plan is all of the questions you want to ask your organization. It has everything in one place. It helps prepare for each respective emergency. This stores everything in one place
- Identify possible future events that could significantly disrupt operations or strategic priorities
- Prioritize your agencies response to the crisis
- Identify important contacts and continuity processes in order to maintain essential functions
- Scalable BCP Modules
- The module has 3 different levels so that your agency can be as comprehensive as possible.
- With this website you can plan customized to each individual program in your agency.
- Work with the non-profit risk management center
- Can book an appointment with Ryan and Louise for your agency
III. State News –James Doherty
- The Governor Established an open communication with the DSP workforce. A Town hall meeting will be on April 28th from 11:30-12:30. The event will be recorded and put on the OPWDD website. Information on where to join will be on the website. The title is a DSP Town Hall event
- comments questions prior to the event can be sent to: communications.Office@opwdd.ny.gov
- FMAP funds were sent to providers on March 23rd and March 30th. The rest of the funds will be coming soon.
- 507 plan draft is for public input. In June will be 2 days available for comment. In the summer there will be in person meeting to discuss the draft.
- March 10th ADM –housing subsidy program provides clarification on how to apply for housing subsidy previously known as ISS. It carves out specific guidelines for QA checklists. Requirement that the care manager work with the building to make sure it makes all the life safety requirements. As well as participation agreements. More information has been provided.
- https://opwdd.ny.gov/regulations-guidance/adm-2022-03-opwdd-housing-subsidy-program
- New Org chart for OPWDD which is region wide. This is great accountability, consistency and quality in terms of best practices and state-wide services.
- V. City News – Gavin Meyers
COVID-19 Alert Level: The current COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC is low. That means that COVID-19 is spreading at low levels in the community.
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.
There are two types of treatment for people with mild to moderate COVID-19:
- Monoclonal antibody treatment: A one-time IV or injection to help give you antibody protection while your body works to produce its own antibodies. This treatment is covered by Medicaid and Medicare plans at no cost. If you have private insurance, check with your provider and health plan.
- 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!
- Second Booster Shots
- At least one vaccine booster shot is recommended for everyone 12 and older who is fully vaccinated.
- A second booster shot is also now available for:
- All people who are 50 and older.
- People who are 12 to 49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- People who are 18 to 49 and received a primary and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- If you are eligible, you can get your second booster shot four months after you received your first booster. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
VI. IAC Report –Chris Treeber
Report on the BUDGET
The budget was officially passed. There is a 5.4%COLA approved
Up to $3000.00 incentives for staff. Who that applies to is still being sorted out. It includes DSP and clinicians. CFR code 100 series is still unclear.
Inclusion of 2 million with state match of 4 million to support the need of people living with care givers.
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools
- There are no increases. The only increase is the 11% the governor promised for the 2022/23 year.
- Most of the asks were not given in the budget.
- As a side agreement they are going to let schools keep a surplus up to 11%. As the years go by the numbers will go down and that’s contingent on the providers being able to have a surplus where as of right now they are unable to hold a surplus.
- Mask mandate for kids under the age of 5 is still in place. The 4410 preschools are following at this time.
- Still a high need for children who need classes who need to be in classrooms sized 6 and 8. The reason being the ability to recruit and retain staff.
- Parents are also being told that they can not visit a placement. It is important for parents to come and see the school in person as it is their right to see it.
VIII Committee Reports:
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs: Yesenia Estrella & Luisa Eusse-Roché
March 16th was our most recent meeting. There were well over 100 people in attendance Paola Martinez Boone from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest spoke on Future Planning. We discussed topics such as Guardianship, Special Needs Trust, Supported Decision Making and more.
We are in the process of updating our resource guide. You should be receiving an email soon. Providers, please take the time to update the guide. It is an important resource to the families. Your agency should have gotten an email. Please respond as we have not updated this in 2 years and we want the most updated guide. We are looking to have the director translated to Spanish as well.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
- Comments on the budget. The legislature added 2% un the budget which is about 4 billion.
- 5.4% COLA increase was based on inflation of last July. We are hoping that the next COLA will be based on inflation this coming July which is projected at 8%.
- EI Did not get much of an increase which is needed
- The Nursing Tuition reimbursement is a great additive to the budget
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
Save the Date(s)! –| April Is Transition Month (Again!) – Various service providers presenting throughout the month. It will be more in depth than the February meeting. | 6/15 – Self-Direction for Adult Day Services
– If you’d like to be added to our email list you can email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov and David.Summers@ahrcnyc.org
New Business
This is an election year for the DD council!
Margaret and the nominating committee. The committee has decided to re-elect the current officers.
To nominate yourself or someone else for DD Council officer positions, please email Margaret at Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.