This meeting was jointly sponsored by both councils.
- Introductions were completed.
- Minutes were approved; if you would like to refer to past minutes, they are availABLE as always on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements : Flyers Distributed
YAI
Information attached for vacancy highlights. There will be Latino Conference on May 10; details attached. For more information about the Autism Family Support Series, Autism parent support group, an Adult Yoga group, psychological evaluations, and all other services, call YAI Link at 212-273-6182, email link@yai.org or go to www.yai.org/link.
UCP of New York City
Vacancy list attached, along with information about the Family Reimbursement program, overnight respite with transportation provided, and free workshops – www.ucpnyc.org.
NYLPI
There will be a free Special Education Workshop on April 19, and the same workshop in Spanish on April 21. See attached for details, or go to www.nylpi.org.
The Center for START Services
The NY START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment) program is continuing development across the state. See attached for more information and dates of conferences where more information will be provided.
Center for Discovery
There are pediatric opportunities availABLE in their residential academic program in Sullivan County (ages 5-21). More space will be availABLE in the summer. Students with IDD, on the autism spectrum, medically involved, and with genetic disorders are welcome. Contact Rachael Skinner for more information – rskinner@tcfd.org, or call her at 845-707-8695.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached. Summer camp spots still availABLE.
Camp Oakhurst
The summer schedule has been updated and is attached. Emergency respite is also availABLE. Go to www.nysh.org for more information.
EI
Lynn Decker reported that she served on the Department of Health’s revision of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Autism in Early Intervention. The consensus panel’s work is almost done, and they are now reaching out to identify peer reviewers who will get the document and be asked to comment in the late spring/early summer. Peer reviewers are needed; contact Lynn Decker at ldecker@cidny.org if you are interested.
Other
Arthur Anderson, parent and long-time friend of the field, passed away in mid-April. There will be a memorial service and reception on Friday, May 13 at 3pm at the Church of the Ascension, at Tenth Street and Fifth Avenue.
Presentation: Life Planning for Families with Special Needs by Adrienne Arkontaky, Esq., and Gina Sinon, Esq., Cuddy Law Firm
The speakers emphasized that the ABLE Act (see below) should be part of a holistic strategy to plan for the future of family members with developmental disabilities. The most urgent question for parents is: who will take care of my child when I am gone. The solution is to do life planning. ABLE and special needs trusts are tools that protect government supports. Families must plan for financial needs as well as social, emotional, medical, behavioral, residential, and vocational needs. Adrienne urged families to write a Letter of Intent to serve as a guidepost for what the person needs, wants, does, his/her medical needs, life components, what’s important to the person—and to revise and update as needed. She explained that there are 3 kinds of special needs trusts (SNTs). The third party SNT supplements, but does not supplant, government benefits and has no Medicaid payback. The first party SNT is funded through the person’s own assets, such as settlements or inheritance. There is no spend down, but upon the person’s death, Medicaid recoups what it has paid out. However, if there is no money left in the trust, Medicaid cannot recoup. The pooled trust can pay for everything except what SSI pays for (food and shelter), and upon the person’s death, the money stays with the individuals/agency.
The ABLE account is based on the 529 College Savings Plan to save for the future. The ABLE account is tax free; a maximum of only $100,000 is permitted with annual contributions of up to $14,000. It is not a countable resource for Medicaid and an attorney is not needed to set it up. The act was signed by Governor Cuomo on December 15, but no enabling legislation has yet been passed; therefore, ABLE accounts cannot yet be set up in New York State. Because the regulations have not yet been written, the definition of disability is not final. ABLE accounts do have Medicaid payback so it is best to use them in conjunction with a third party SNT.
Lynn Decker reported that the IRS allows a person to open an ABLE account in another state, even though it is not yet available in NYS.
Please see the attached powerpoint and ABLE handout for more information.DD Council April 2016 ABLE Act presentation
- State News
Liz Cambra reported that the NYS budget has passed. Details below, under IAC.
Respite rates. OPWDD is trying to ensure viability of funding. Recent changes to the rate helped some providers but hurt others. OPWDD is working with CMS to fix problems with the rate. OPWDD has conducted surveys and focus groups. OPWDD notes that some respite is more similar to community hab or supplemental day hab, and is considering converting some respites to these higher-rate services, which will require additional funding.
Respite transportation. CMS doesn’t want to cover transportation in respite. OPWDD might consider using state dollars for transportation to respites.
Capital thresholds. These thresholds have fallen behind. There are now new rates for purchase and rental:
OLD: Rentals- NYC except Manhattan- 1 person $21,351
2 person $24,909
3 person $28,468
Manhattan- 1 person $28,341
2 person $32,153
3 person $35,585
Acquisition- NYC except Manhattan- $159,182 pp
Manhattan- $228,161 pp
NEW: Rentals (under 5 year lease)- NYC except Manhattan- 1 person $24,959
2 person $29,119
3 person $33,279
Manhattan- 1 person $33,131
2 person $37,587
3 person $41,599
Lease greater than 5 years- all of NYC, $15,451 per bed
Acquisition- NYC except Manhattan- $189,634 pp
Manhattan- $271,808 pp
FMCP provider. Due to fiscal and programmatic problems, this provider’s programs will be taken over by other agencies. OPWDD is currently reviewing proposals for auspice change. DQI and the DDRO staff are continuing to make rounds to ensure the health and safety of the individuals.
CFR filing requirements. Announced April 8.
- City News
No report was given.
- IAC/Federation
IAC:
Wini Schiff, IAC, reported on the enacted budget:
- The minimum wage has been raised, and funding was provided to bring staff up to the new minimum. Agency rates will be raised to accommodate the $11/hour minimum on 1/1/17. We had advocated for funding for raises for other low-paid staff earning above the minimum, but were not successful. People now making $11 will become minimum-wage earners when the new minimum goes into effect. Going forward we need to focus more on the value of the work and the fact that our DSPs were always underpaid. These are not minimum-wage jobs. Minimum wage increases will roll out as follows: NYC $2/hour increase in each of the next 3 years, to reach $15 on 12/31/18. Long Island $1/hour increase in each of the next 6 years. Rest of NYS $.70 increase in each of the next 5 years, then indexing until it reaches $15.
- Exemption from licensure requirements for social workers and psychologists is extended for 2 more years.
- $120 million (all shares, annualized) for new services, including services for people aging out. Included in the $120 million is $10 million dedicated to residential services for Priority 2 and 3 people living at home. The regions will receive allocations; regional stakeholders’ groups, to include families, will make recommendations as to specific funding.
- $24 million for moving people out of DCs and state-run ICFs.
- $15 million to participate in developer projects that have set-asides for people with disabilities
- $15 million to expand START in NYC and LI
- Public schools got a 6.5% increase, but 853and 4410 special education schools are funded outside of the budget process. State Education Department sends a request letter to DOH for an increase. Depending on the request, our field may need to advocate.
Federation:
Jim Malley reported on the local services planning meeting held April 5. Traditionally, the top priority of all the NYC DD Councils was residential services. This year the top priority will be funding to raise salaries of low-paid DSPs above the new minimum.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support Services: Yesenia Estrella announced that the committee met April 12 and had presentations from recreation/arts providers: CO/LAB, Keoni Movement Arts, and You and I. The committee urges providers of family support services to participate in the committee. Next meeting, jointly sponsored with the Service Coordination Committee, on FIDA: Friday, May 20, 2016, 10:00am-noon, UCP, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room. Information: Yesenia Estrella (212) 643-2840 x 349; yestrella@sinergiany.org.
Legislative: Jim Malley reported that the committee met just prior to today’s Council meeting to review the Legislative Breakfast. They liked the single-issue focus (on DSP salaries and the minimum wage). Jim thanked Lynn Decker, Margaret Puddington, Elly Rufer, Marco Damiani, and Jessie Backe for their work on the Breakfast. The committee is considering developing a sort of Manhattan DD Council video for next year’s Breakfast. If you know of anyone who could help with the video, please let Jim know. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition: Kathy Kelly reported that the committee met the previous day and focused on the 90+ 2016 graduates who will need OPWDD services. About 25 will need supported employment. 63 have completed eligibility, have an MSC, and have begun the Front Door process. Of last year’s graduates, about 5 do not have services. Next meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 2016, 9:30 am – noon, AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th floor. Information: Kathy Kelly (212) 780-2724; Kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org.
Family Support Services Advisory Council: Margaret Puddington announced that elections for FSS Advisory Council officers will be held in June. The officers are a chairperson and Executive Committee members. To serve, a person must have attended 3 meetings within the past year (from June 2015 to June 2016). The Nominations Committee, chaired by Julia Rogge, will submit a slate at the May meeting and voting will take place at the June meeting. To nominate yourself or someone else as an officer, contact Julia Rogge (212) 737-0527 or juliarogge@verizon.net. Next Council meeting: Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 5:30-7:30 pm, at INCLUDEnyc (formerly Resources for Children with Special Needs), 116 East 16th Street, 5th floor. The topic will be FIDA, presented by Lynn Decker. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: Carol Lincoln announced that the committee has several new members. Next meeting, jointly sponsored with the Family Support Services Committee, on FIDA: Friday, May 20, 2016, 10:00am-noon, UCP, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor training room. The annual MSC Forum will be held June 2 at Pace University. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Childrens/Education Committee: This committee is in need of a co-chair. To volunteer or to suggest someone, please contact Christina Muccioli. Next meeting: TBA. Information: Christina Muccioli (212) 780-2532; Christina.muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
VIII. New Business
Nominations for DD Council Officers: Margaret Puddington explained that elections for Council officers will be held in June. The officers are a chairperson, a parent vice chairperson and a professional vice chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. To serve, a person must have attended at least 3 meetings within the past nine months prior to the voting meeting or two meetings immediately before the voting meeting. The Nominations Committee, chaired by Margaret Puddington, will submit a slate at the May meeting and voting will take place at the June meeting. To nominate yourself or someone else as an officer, contact Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Website: Our webmaster, Elly Rufer, is requesting help with the website. If you know Word Press and are willing, please contact Elly Rufer (212) 477-1225; elly.rufer@gmail.com or manhattanddcouncil@gmail.com