Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
February 15, 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
NY city fair -NYC FAIR BUDGET Town Hall 2/16/2022, You must Register to get the LOGIN INFORMATION https://forms.gle/DZ19U5zj9caHggME8
III. State News –Samrawit Tadesse
- 1/18 Governor Hochols Executive budget was released. 4.5 billion dollars for fiscal year
- 1/24 LI struck down the mask mandate. The governor announced a COLA of 5% increase in the 2022-2023 budget
- 1/24 OPWDD posted on it’s website FAQ’s regarding paymentsfor upcoming DSP’s https://opwdd.ny.gov/coronavirus-guidance
- Due to the transitions in OPWDD leadership and Governor, 507 plan has been delayed to spring 2022.
- Suspension of site surveys. DQI will suspend surveys for one month (1/26-2/26). This does not include ICF, COVID visits and homes that are deemed a danger early alert, fine 45 day letter and one year certificate. .1. Full review, 2.truncated review, 3. remote review. DQI will continue to answer and complaints and will respond accordingly
- V. City News – Gavin Meyers
- DOH is offering information sessions on the booster. If you want your agency to have an informational session please reach out to….
- The state offered homes test twice this past month.
- If you want PPE please sign up through Medline
- Vaccine booster shots are available for fully vaccinated people 12 or older. DOH is recommended the vaccine for anyone who got the dose of Pfzeir or Moderna 5 months ago and J&J 2 months ago. If you were recently sick you can get your booster after the isolation ends. People with weakened immune systems who got the 3rd dose should get the booster as well.
- Only Pfizer is available for 5-11years old. It is a smaller dose
- Unvaccinated people should wear a mask always indoor and in crowded outside areas
- The vaccine is currently being evaluated for under 5
- The percentage of covid cases positivity is 2.86%.and decreasing daily 1250 total cases daily.
- Health department in focusing on the 86% fully vaccinated (87% in Manhattan) 93 %first dose only
- There is a difference between the booster and the third shot.
- The flu vaccine can be received at the same time as the Covid vaccine. You can wait but it’s good to look at both options as we go into the winter season.
- The state continues to encourage people to get vaccinated
- If you are looking for a place to get COVID testing if you need to find a location: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page
- information about vaccine incentives for those who haven’t obtained a COVID-19 vaccine: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/vaccine-incentives.page
- City is giving $100.00 for first does as well as transportation if needed
- You can also get the vaccine at home. https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-youth-sites-flyer.pdf information about the COVID vaccine for kids
- Information about the differences between boosters and 3rd doses: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-third-dose-vs-booster.pdf
- To schedule free transport by either ambulette or taxi (including wheelchair accessible vehicles), call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
VI. IAC Report –Tom Calvanah
- New appointment -Kimberly Hill will be New York State’s first Chief Disability Officer.
BUDGET
- 2/14 was the budgeting hearing-went well. Many legislatives are aware of our issues and concerns.
- We are hopeful in general that we will receive the funds we need. The budget is much more robust this year.
- 2/28 will be Lobby week.
- 2/18 (1:30PM),2/25(11 AM) will be budget briefing for people who registered for lobby day
- Enact the 5.4% Human Services COLA
- Voluntaries provide 90% of care for people with DD. And this is the first increase in 10 years
- Workforce investments(we need a long term plan to recruit and retain the best and the brightest.) Bonuses up to $3000.00 in two payments. During the month of March agency’s should be getting the payments through the eFMAP
- Establish a Direct Care Staff Personal Income Tax Credit (S.7643/A.9200) .Help DSP reduce tax burden and therefore increase to their salary.
- Nurses across New York Tuition loan forgiveness program– agencies are struggling to maintain and hire nurses this will help to hire and keep nurses.
- Capital Funding
Accept the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program
Amend the SHCFTP to include/DD community -based providers
- Reequipment and Retention-include direct care staff workforce initiatives to professionalize and create a pipeline
- Residential Services- Ensure that timely person-centered opportunities are available. OPWDD had over 5000 on the CRO list. Right now it has to be a person who needs an emergency placement. Individuals who are living at home with elderly parents or needs that surpass the availability for them to be cared at home, people in residential schools. Help people age in place
Employment– maximize flexibility of employment initiatives to utilize provider expertise
- Many times we are lumped with Home care and our jobs are much different. If we can be tracked separately we can hopefully get paid differently
- Grants be rewarded to providers to seek out employment for people with disabilities. NY State lags behind in this area. $2million in grants.
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools
- Make it possible to keep the 11% (240 million) budget increase in the executive budget. We are very happy with a recognition that we need support but there are major issues that continue to challenge the schools. Our schools have suffered for many years without any big increase. (we are still waiting for the money for the 4% increase)
- Staff retention and recruitment
- Drop in enrollment of students
- If we are not able to keep staff and increase enrollment we will lose the 11% increase. Therefore, we want a new tuition rate methodology with stakeholder input.
- Establish a 40 reserve fund similar to other schools
- Include 4410 and 853 schools in teacher pipeline initiatives
- Increase Access-VR adult extended funding by $10 million
Department of Health
- Early Intervention (EI) has not had funds to help our children which will give them a foundation to grow. -looking to add 11% increase to EI reimbursement rates
- Repeal MRT#26 -Article 16 clinics-many of the funds and services have taken away may of the services that are needed and discriminating people with complex needs.
- Include an 11% rate increase for EI
VIII Committee Reports:
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs: Yesenia Estrella & Luisa Eusse-Roché
March 16th will be our next meeting 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
We will have a presentation by Paola Martinez Boone from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest on Future Planning. We will discuss 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.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
- Save the Date! 5 borough virtual event. Friday March 4th. 10AM-12PM registration coming soon
- Manhattan will focus on Day Habilitation and Comm HAB
- Cordell Cleare is invited to the meeting as she is on the disability committee
- We will acknowledge Dick Gottfried(NY state assembly member) and Margaret Puddington
- If you have anything else you would like presented please let us know.
- Planning process for Manhattan. All ideas are welcome.
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
- Guardianship meeting was held on 2/9. Almost 50 people attended. The presentation will be held again on Mach 9th. AHRC will go through each page of the application page by page
- April will be the family reimbursement workshop. We encourage all agencies to attend. Families should use the money in order for the money to keep coming in.
- The ADM for the guidelines on reimbursements programs is currently on hold
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
February 9th @ 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Adult Services Meet & Greet
It was a very well attended meeting. We had 16 people present. The presentation will be available on YouTube soon.
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
SAVE THE DATE 5 Boroughs legislative breakfast March 4th 10:00AM-12:00PM