- Introductions were completed.
- Minutes were approved; if you were unable to open them, they are available as always on the DD Council website (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements: DD Council October 2015 attachments (1)
DD Council dues are due! INVOICE-2015
Writing to Heal… Writing to Grow
Weekly writing and theater exercise workshops for people with chronic diseases and their caregivers. See attached for details.
NYC FAIR
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 6-8pm. Senator David Carlucci will be there to advise families on how to approach his peers. For details and registration information, go to www.nycfair.org.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached. There are two upcoming evening Family Education Series in October; see attached for details.
There are vacancies in the Middle/High School, located in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Children ages 13-21, with diagnoses of autism, health issues, ED, or multiple disabilities. Contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org for more information.
UCP of New York City
Vacancy list attached, along with information on the Family Reimbursement program.
QSAC
Program vacancy list attached.
Visions – Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
See attached for details on the Youth Services Programs, and the agency in general.
Camp Oakhurst
Year round respite provided for people with intellectual or physical disabilities or who are on the autism spectrum. See attached for details.
Presentation by Sarah Flatto, Family Justice Centers, on Domestic Violence Facts and Resources in NYC
The NYC Family Justice Centers (FJC) serve everyone in or recently out of an abusive situation. Sarah explained that there is a spectrum of abuse, from physical, sexual, and psychological to financial and stalking. The end goal of the abuser is power and control. The FJCs are walk-in centers for victims of domestic violence/intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and sex trafficking. They do not handle sibling violence or child-parent violence in which the abuser is the child, unless the parent is over 60. They do not handle cases in which the parent is the abuser. The Manhattan office is at 80 Centre Street, 5th floor, open from 9 to 5, 212-602-2801 or 311. No proof is required. They serve all victims regardless of language, sexual orientation, income, gender identity, or immigration status. There are no fees for services and they do not take insurance.
In NYC there are 700-800 calls per day to the police reporting domestic violence. In Manhattan there are 25-30 per day; in Brooklyn, 100 per day. There are 1-2 homicides per week in NYC. Most victims are younger; only 10%-11% are men.
The centers coordinate comprehensive services, many of which are co-located. They do an intake to assess whether the victim is at high risk; then each person gets a case manager who makes referrals to whichever services are needed. Shelter/placement is the top concern. There are not enough vacancies in domestic violence shelters. The FJCs provide housing information sessions and help screen people for whatever housing they might be eligible for. They work closely with the Department of Homeless Services and NYCHA. They refer to social services, such as counseling and support groups for parents and teens. They refer to self-sufficiency services where people get support around job-training, education, career goals, public benefits, child care, and financial planning. They have on-site legal services, where lawyers can give advice about a variety of legal issues, although the lawyers cannot usually represent people in court. The FJCs assist people to report a crime to the police; prosecutors from the District Attorney’s offices are located in the centers. They also refer to wellness programs such as yoga and meditation. And they provide child care on-site.
For more information, see the attached powerpoint. Sarah may be reached at sarahf@fjc.org; 212-602-2857.DD Council presentation Oct 2015
- State News – Donna Limiti
The Transformation Panel Public Forums have concluded. In Manhattan, the predominant themes were the need for residential services and concerns about managed care and self-determination. Upstate, the concerns were workshop closures and respite rates.
In May, OPWDD held a forum regarding sheltered workshops at which some workshop providers shared success stores. To follow up, an Integrated Employment Regional Forum will be held on 10/14, 1 -4 pm, at YAI, 1241 Zerega Ave., Bronx. There are only 5 workshop providers in NYC. So far no one has registered for this forum. The invitation went to agencies who operate workshops and they have been asked to send agency staff and invite a parent and participant. The point of the forum is to provide testimony on the draft guidance that is listed on OPWDD’s website: www.opwdd.ny.gov/workshoptransformationguidance.
RRL – Residential request list calls will cease 10/17. If family members have yet to receive a call and believe their relative is on the list, they can call: 1-866-679-3369.
HCBS settings requirements – while existing homes have until 10/2018 to come into compliance, it is expected that all new IRAs will be compliant upon opening. This also pertains to ICFs that are converting to IRAs. (OPWDD is aware that total compliance has not been achieved in these instances.)
Amendment 07 – CMS has approved amendment 07 of OPWDD’s HCBS waiver. This is important because OPWDD cannot move forward with other initiatives without such agreement. The amendment relates to rate reform and changes to the self-direction methodology. OPWDD can now proceed with its waiver renewal.
- City News – Sandra Piggee
The City Council money for ASD services has been awarded, and agencies have been notified. Some agencies got additional money. $2.3 million total was awarded to 35 agencies
Responses are due October 19, 2015, at 2:00 pm, to the RFP by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC for funds for community and mental health providers to implement the Connection to CARE model for at risk populations.
The RFP for vocational services for individuals with DD has not yet been released by the Department.
- IAC/Federation – Hope Levy
IAC: Hope reported on clinic changes effective October 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016.
CMS believes that residential habilitation services should provide for all the care needs of residents while they are in the residence. Thus, as of October 1, in supervised IRAs, nutrition and psychology services must be incorporated in people’s hab plans and provided and paid for by the IRAs. People living in supervised IRAs can no longer get these services at Article 16 clinics (unless the IRA pays for them). OPWDD has surveyed supervised IRAs to ascertain which services the IRAs were providing. If the IRA already has these services in the rate but has not provided them, the IRA already has the money. Otherwise, IRA rates will be adjusted to include payment for those services.
CMS wants direct clinical services to be provided exclusively in certified sites. As of January 1, Article 16 services may no longer provide services in uncertified sites, only in certified Article 16 locations. Presently, Article 16 clinics are looking to open satellite sites elsewhere, e.g., in day habs. Certified sites are not allowed in homes, because the sites must be open to the public. The sites may be shared with other providers or other services.
Also, as of January 1, supervised IRAs and day habilitation rates will be revised to remove funding for direct hands-on therapy such as PT, OT, and speech that are currently being delivered at those sites. CMS states that waiver services cannot replicate services available through the State Plan (separately billed to Medicaid). Currently, many day hab and residential hab rates may include funding for both direct and indirect clinical staff (responsible for staff training, supervision, and clinical oversight). Rate sheets do not differentiate between direct and indirect services, so it is difficult for providers to determine whether their rate includes direct hands-on services. OPWDD will be sending a survey to providers to identify whether specific position codes provide direct or indirect clinical services.
A second option for receiving direct hands-on services is through the new Preventive Services (Independent Practitioner) state plan option, under which direct services may only be delivered by individual providers or groups of providers. Reimbursement for Preventive Services will be at a lower rate than for Article 16 services.
Megan O’Connor, Deputy Commissioner, OPWDD’s Division of Quality Improvement, met with IAC’s Quality Assurance Committee to discuss HCBS settings and other matters. Previously OPWDD assessed various HCBS settings; providers will be receiving reports regarding surveys of their programs. OPWDD will now survey providers of settings that require “heightened scrutiny”—e.g., those located on or near institutions and any ICFs that converted to IRAs after March 2014. Reports will be issued to providers in a year.
Jim Malley added that:
- IAC is also examining the impact of the proposed minimum wage increases.
- DOB approved a small 2% increase for 4410 special education preschools, after nearly 7 years without an increase.
- IAC participated in an Early Intervention roundtable where insurance reimbursement was a main topic.
- 400 staff have left education providers for better-paying jobs at public schools and elsewhere.
- IAC is helping providers understand reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act.
Federation: The meeting has been postponed.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: Wendy De Leon, new committee co-chair, reported that intensive planning for the Family & Professional Resource Fair is underway. Brochures were distributed, and agencies were encouraged to do outreach. Updates for the FSS Directory are overdue: agencies that have not sent in their updates should send them immediately to Nicole.riccio@yai.org. The vendor registration is going well. Volunteers are needed, especially because of the challenges of the new site: the Fair will be spread over 4 floors. The Transition Committee will handle the food, as always. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. For information or to volunteer, please contact Wendy De Leon at 917-965-2950 x 109; wdeleon@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative: Jim Malley reported that the committee met just prior to today’s Council meeting. Informal visits will be made during the fall/winter to selected legislators, where a limited number of issues will be discussed. You may be individually contacted to participate. For information, contact Jim Malley 212-928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanza.net.
Transition: Kathy Kelly reported that the committee met September 16, 2015. Many District 75 transition coordinators have returned this year, so they already have some experience with the process. The majority of 2015 graduates have begun the adult services. Some families, however, only began seeking services over the summer. The committee is updating the Adult Day Services Directory to be ready in time for the Family & Professional Resource Fair. At the next meeting Jennifer Teich will present on self-direction: Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor Board Room. Information: Kathy Kelly 212-780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Committee: Margaret Puddington reported that at the last meeting on September 21, 2015, Nadine Daley presented on POMs. There was much lively discussion over the issue of choice. The next meeting will be Monday, November 9, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, IAC, 150 West 30th Street, 15th floor, where Hope Levy will present on the new START program. For information, contact Margaret Puddington 212-799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: Carol Lincoln reported that the September meeting was cancelled due to street closures during the Pope’s visit. The next meeting is a joint Manhattan/Brooklyn service coordination meeting featuring Ernie McNutt, AHRC, and colleagues on the Front Door: Friday, October 23, 2015, 10:00 am – noon, UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room. For information, contact Carol Lincoln 718-859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s/Education Committee: Christina Muccioli reported that Lori Podvesker, co-chair, has stepped down, and a new co-chair is needed. Please contact Christina if you are interested. Regarding the 4410s, she explained that the newly awarded 2% increase is woefully inadequate. Teachers and assistant teachers are leaving the 4410s for higher pay in the public preschools and elsewhere. Some kids with developmental disabilities are going into the public special education preschools but are not getting the needed supports and are returning to the 4410s. For information, contact Christina Muccioli 212-780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Outreach & Family Engagement: Marilyn Rubinstein reported that a meeting is planned to explore more modern modes of outreach. For information, contact Lynn Decker 917-575-5166; lynn_decker@me.com.