Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
June 21, 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
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
Lifespire has immediate openings in behavior management and parent training 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.
III. State News –James Doherty
- OPWDD is very involved with the 507 plan draft is for public input. In June will be 2 virtual days available for comment. In the summer there will be regional in person meeting to discuss the draft .July 7th and 8th is the public hearing self advocate and stake holders November the final plan will be released. The events are not being recorded so please come in person. Registration is not required
- Comments regarding the meeting: It should be recorded and plans should be made regarding COVID-how many people will be able to be let in? Why can’t there be a hybrid version? So many people will be excluded
- Masks continue to be required in OPWDD facilities. The is a FAQ on masking masks continue to be required in OPWDD’s certified programs and facilities. OPWDD has issued a FAQ document that provides additional guidance on masking:
- V. City News – Gavin Meyers
COVID-19 Alert Level: The current COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC is orange which is high. That means that COVID-19 is spreading at a high level in the community. Consider wearing a mask in large indoor spaces.
Test positivity is 7.82% cases in the last 7 days. 2827 cases per day.
If you do test positive with at home rapid test here is a number to call as you can not go to your PCP at this time.
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.
- We are still operating free in home vaccines. (see chat) As well as transportation if you can not get to a site.
VI. IAC Report –Winni Schiff
- Early voting has begun for the assembly and the primary. It appears that Governor Holchol has a large lead.
- In terms of who our chairs will be it is up I the air, however we are working on priorities for next budget cycle. Increasing salary for DSP and working on the COLA> The current COLA is at 8.6%
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools (Chris Treiber)
- Our current rate methodology is cost based. Therefore, if we need more money to cover our costs if we do not spend the money that was given the rate is then lowered. If there are no teachers then the money is not spent which could lower the cost of tuition for the following year.
- In the budget there was an 11% increase put in the budget as well that schools will be able to keep the surpluses in recognition that we might not be able to spend the 11%. However the rate methodology has not changed because we can not get the money if we are waiting on tuition rate we can’t get the 11%. There is a bill in the house to try to get the 11% even if we have not become eligible. -The first budget did not get signed, however DOB said we can get the11% on top of our tuition for the year.
- Day Hab rate for transportation that was reduced in 2021.
- Stake holders are working with redesigning day habs
- Grants have been made available and are moving forward in process
- ** many new bills have been issued**
- Supported decision making bill has been passed. Will be effective 90 days after signed
- 24/7 OPWDD hotline established for care coodidiation-3 year grant
- OPWDD group home oversight committee-creates a work group of appointees to give the commissioner input on group homes. Workgroup must be 4 times a year and have one public hearing in each DDRSO. A report in needed January 2023 and every year after which will include the 507 Plan
- Heroes and vaccination funds have not been released yet
- January2023 the new rate methodology will be given
- HCBS waiver is on target for March 17,2023
- Employment that creates training and certification for employers who want to employ people with IDD
- Another year for students to stay in school until they are 23 years old
- Rate study related to IE
- Public awareness campaign to reduce stigma with people who have IDD.
- Multiagency study on the caregiver workforce.
VIII Committee Reports:
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Seizure Recognition & First Aid Training”
May 17, 2022 10:00 AM
8 new people attended!
It was a great meeting. This summer will be brainstorming to new ideas and enew topics!
A new ADM for family reimbursement. There were some answers but there were also a lot of questions. The ADM will have to be redefined.
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-hairs: Yesenia Estrella & Luisa Eusse-Roché
June 14th is the fair. The fair was a great success! Thank you to everyone who participated and who helped to make the fair a great success. The English and Spanish version of the FSS directory should be on the website soon.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
6/15 – Self-Direction for Adult Day Services. It was a great presentation. Especially those who needed 1:1 support. The presentation will be on the council website.
The adult services directory will be on the council website.
– 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
The Virtual Family Fair- June 14th 10AM-2PM
Approximately 100 people attended. Thank you to everyone who participated. Thank you to the committee for putting it together.
Elections took place today for the new slate. The slate has been passed on June 21,2022
Margaret and the nominating committee. The committee has decided to re-elect the current officers. Chair Kathy Kelly Vice Cahir Carol Lincoln Parent vice Chair Eli Rufer Treasurer Jessie Backe, Secretary, Ilana Katz.