I. Introductions were completed.
II. 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 : Link for Flyers Distributed At Meeting
UCP of New York City
Family Connect vacancy list is attached, as well as a Family Reimbursement information flyer, and a save the date for a free conference on November 20 – “Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities to Lead Independent and Fulfilling Lives.”
IAC
Travel training grant has opportunities; families can refer directly to Kelly McArdle – 212-645-6360, ext. 108.
NYC FAIR
NYC Family and Information Resources Network – connecting more experienced families with families who are newer to the field and want to become involved. If you would like to be a family mentor or mentee, contact Elly Rufer at nycfair@gmail.com.
Columbia Student Study
See attached for details on a study being done by a Columbia student regarding adults with autism who had their SSI benefits re-determined when they turned 18. Gift cards will be given to people who participate, and the interviewer will come to the homes to conduct the interview.
QSAC
Vacancy list attached. Sexuality workshop on November 4 in the evening, see attached for details. Social Skills group for individuals with autism who are high functioning and live in Manhattan; transportation provided home by OPT (if student receives OPT services). See attached application.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
Shield Institute
Day Hab Opportunities – contact Oneida Brown at 212-860-8400, ext 4117, or email her at Obrown@shield.org for more information.
YAI
See attached for the LINK Memo, information regarding the Autism Family Support Series, the Free Education Workshops, Parent Training Groups (Project GROW), and Project Grown Up.
The Advocacy Resource Center offers a free open workshop every Wednesday through November 5, from 10am – 12pm; see attached for details.
Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
Urban Resource Institute
Job readiness and placement program funded by DOHMH, OPWDD, and ACCES-VR. For more information, contact 718-342-2121.
Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC)
See attached for details.
***Council dues are due! Non-profit provider agencies should coordinate within their agencies to pay their membership dues for the new fiscal year. See attached for 2014-2015 invoice***
**As always – any agency announcements or non-fundraising events can be sent to manhattanddcouncil@yahoo.com to be included on the Council Facebook page (anyone) or Council website (dues paying members).
Presentation: & handout
Mindy Friedman, from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, spoke about the Rights to Accessible Medical Care for People with Disabilities. She explained the different types of barriers to medical access—physical, communication, and attitudinal—and described the key laws that provide protections to people with disabilities. She also provided tips as to how to enforce these protections. Please see the attached fact sheet for more information.
IV. State News
Donna Limiti reported that the Front Door was relaunched October 1. There is now a detailed policy manual. Cases can be fast-tracked—for example, requests for “soft” family support services. DDRO staff are currently being trained in the manual. Next the field will be trained. There could be additional changes. The manual includes a standardized vacancy management protocol for residential vacancies, requiring those with dire needs to be considered first. The entire local Priority I list will be shared with providers who can then choose the most appropriate people for their particular vacancies. Monthly NYC meetings will be held with agency representatives to consider how to serve Priority I people, including in uncertified options.
An RFS is being distributed for change of auspice in two Manhattan homes: a 12-bed IRA and 3 separate certified IRAs in the same building. The DDRO will begin by soliciting agencies ideas on transition and improvements in the individuals’ living situation; thereafter, agencies may meet the individuals.
Pathway to Employment: there is a requirement that providers be SEMP providers and that they attend mandatory training sessions. OPWDD is conducting a series of community dialogues on employment in all boroughs. Part I will address transitioning from workshops; Part II will address obstacles and solutions. The Manhattan dialogues begin Sept. 18 at 3:00 at 25 Beaver St.
START has been implemented in Region I. Region III will be next, followed by NYC. There will be a by-invitation-only discussion group on START.
There is a No Wrong Door workgroup, including representatives from the fields of aging, mental health, and developmental disabilities. Phone numbers will be disseminated to enable people making inquiries to call and be appropriately directed. Implementation will be October, 2015.
The HCBS Settings requirements state what we expect our individuals to have in their lives: respect, choice, inclusion, privacy, etc. But some of the requirements are problematic for some people with DD, such as not having a curfew, being permitted to eat whenever they desire. OPWDD will need to think through some of these requirements. OPWDD’s Department of Quality Improvement will be conducting surveys to assess how well residential settings comply with these new requirements.
ICF conversions will begin with homes of 14 or fewer individuals. The conversion will be budget neutral to providers. A videoconference on transition plans will be held September 11.
Abiba Kindo has been appointed Associate Commissioner, replacing Jill Gentile. Roger Bearden is the new OPWDD Chief Counsel. Jerry Huber is leaving OPWDD and relocating to California.
Marco Damiani announced that there is a Balancing Incentive Program (BIP) grant opportunity to help fund transformational activities. Applications are due at the end of October.
DISCO applications are being submitted for the voluntary enrollment phase, which is anticipated to begin October 2015. Nonprofit managed care entities may apply. The initial phase excludes healthcare coverage. Hope Levy of IAC added that IAC is advocating for transparency of funding.
V. City News
Dr. Mary Bassett is the new DOHMH Commissioner. Dr. Gerald Belkin is the new Executive Deputy Commissioner in DOHMH. There will be an RFP for services in October. The Department has not yet released the specifics.
VI. IAC/Federation
Hope Levy reported that there are some positive changes in the Front Door manual. The Front Door assessment team will be creating the Preliminary Individualized Service Plan (PISP). The Eligibility, Assessment, Authorization (EAA) tool will “spit out” the PISP. This should expedite services. The MSC will then turn the PISP into an ISP. Hope also pointed out that the vacancy management plan contained in the manual will be available in October. She announced that Barbara Brundage, Director of OPWDD’s Regulatory Affairs Unit, and John Gleason, Associate Deputy Commissioner, State Operations, are retiring.
Federation
The borough chairs are in the process of setting a date for their next meeting.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The Committee met September 9 and had a presentation about Bridges to Health HCBS Medicaid waiver program for children in foster care. B2H actually consists of three waivers: for children with serious emotional disturbances; for children with DD; and for medically fragile children. Kathleen Kingston, OPWDD, provided an update on the Front Door. The Manhattan Family and Professional Resource Fair will be held December 18 at the Hotel Penn. The Fair committee will apply to the city and the DDPC for funding. Suggestions for Fair workshops were shared The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 10:00 am-noon, at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Information: Amy Bittinger (718) 859-5420 x 234; abittinger@ucpnyc.org.
Legislative – The date for the 2015 Legislative Breakfast is Friday, March 13. Next meeting: to be announced. To join the committee or for more information, contact: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition –The committee met September 10. Twenty people attended. The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at 9:30 at AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council– The council is holding a morning and an evening Family/Self-Advocate Forum to identify advocacy priorities. Similar forums will be held throughout the state in order to identify the priorities that are important to families and self-advocates themselves. Morning meeting: Thursday, September 18, 10:00-noon at Sinergia, 2082 Lexington Ave., 4th floor. Evening meeting: Thursday, September 18, 5:30-7:30 at Services for the Underserved, 305 7th Ave., 11th floor. Information: Margaret Puddington 212-799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination – The next MSC Committee meeting, will be Friday, October 17, 10:00–noon at UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room, where Ellen Millman, FEGS, will discuss trusts. At the following meeting, Friday, November 21, 10:00–noon at UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room, Linda Schellenberg, Center for Family Support, will discuss self-direction. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s Committee – Next committee meeting to be announced. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Next meeting: Thursday, October 9, at FEGS, 315 Hudson Street, 9th floor.