- Introductions were completed.
- Minutes from the last meeting were approved; if you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements :
See Flyers distributed at meeting
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached, along with information on Family Reimbursement.
NYC FAIR – Family Advocacy Information Resource
There will be a Town Hall Meeting with Jason Helgerson, NYS Medicaid Director on June 12, from 6-8pm. There will be a discussion of how the Medicaid Transformation impacts people with I/DD. See attached for more details and registration information, or go to www.nycfair.org. Questions for Mr. Helgerson can be submitted prior to the meeting: questions@nycfair.org.
District 75 – DOE
The latest Travel Training newsletter is attached.
ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City
Information for an upcoming free workshop on 6/16 on parenting children with autism spectrum disorder is attached. Call 718-436-7979 ext. 704, or email familyconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org
YAI
Information is attached for service vacancies, including family reimbursement and free evals in Manhattan. Also see attached for a Parents With Special Needs program.
For more information about these programs, or 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.
Camp Oakhurst
See attached for information regarding out of home respite opportunities.
Peggy Groce
Marco announced the retirement of Peggy Groce and acknowledged the profound contributions she has made to the deliberations of the Council.
Marco showed a humorous/sad video entitled “An Easy Trip to Get a Bagel,” about the obstacles encountered by people who use wheelchairs in travel around NYC. You can access the video at https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1703627753011409/..
Presentation: Malik Abdur-Razzaq, Director, Marketing & Enrollment; Annrose Bacani, Marketing & Developmental Disabilities Information Specialist; Partners Health Plan
In view of the fact the Partners Health Plan (PHP) had presented previously to the DD Council, Malik did not go through the basic powerpoint but instead discussed aspects of the Plan that might be unfamiliar to us. Malik reminded us that PHP is a FIDA/IDD plan: a managed care plan specifically for OPWDD-eligible adults with both Medicaid and Medicare in the downstate region. PHP is the only plan in the nation providing managed care specifically for the I/DD population. PHP is a pilot precursor to mandatory managed care. In development for 5 years by downstate I/DD provider organizations, it meets the requirements of conflict free case management. Mandatory managed care will be implemented in 2022. Marco pointed out managed care is going to happen, and we need to be part of the discussion.
Benefits of PHP include: Care coordination. Large network of providers (PHP tripled amount of I/DD Medicaid providers). Care manager is a nurse and can arrange all hospital discharge needs (wheelchairs, rehab, etc.) unlike residential nurses. Nurses as well as families have access to the PHP nursing platform. Care coordinators are social workers. PHP now has a PAL program that connects a person with someone in the community who has similar likes (e.g., tennis, cooking, boxing); care coordinator makes the match. Plan can authorize new OPWDD services, home attendant services, self-direction budgets, and durable medical equipment without having to go to Front Door. Plan is responsible for recertifications. PHP covers certain items not covered under OPWDD (telemedicine, safety devices, tablets to prompt the person to take meds, certain communication devices, transportation by Logisticare to religious observances, shopping, etc.).
Providers are paid their full Medicare or Medicaid rate. Claims are paid within 13-18 days.
PHP reaches out to enroll doctors already serving people with I/DD. They have had good success in getting approval for brand-name medications: 99% approval.
Savings are expected to come from efficiencies over time. Current goal is to save ¼ of 1% over 5 years.
Please see attached powerpoint for more information.
- State News – Donna Limiti
- High needs funding: template funding ends July 1 for new people. CMS has agreed to the OPWDD proposed methodology for high-needs funding, for additional staffing, for new people in residences. As of July 1 new people may apply for high-needs funding.
- Respite: CMS has agreed on a fee structure for 5 respite groups. Transportation has been added to some of the groups. Providers must be sure to bill for the correct respite category. New rates roll out July 1. Agencies must submit a form to get retroactive transportation money for people already served.
- RRL/CRO: RRL was a list of all who request residential services for any time in the future. CRO was a list of those needing placement imminently. OPWDD is now developing one spread sheet instead of two, which will indicate which people have immediate needs.
- RFA for Care Coordination Organizations: a draft RFA will be circulated this month.
- Group are working to address Self-Direction issues.
- City News – Sandra Piggee
No report given.
- IAC/Federation – Jim Malley
The IAC conference is June 8 and 9. Some IAC training sessions are on hold due to office renovations. A new IATS transportation agreement will be implemented in July. IAC staff continues working to oppose the proposed 911 legislation, which would require mandated persons to call 911 for every allegation of abuse or neglect. Work on next year’s budget is already underway.
VII. Committees
Family Support Services: Next meeting will be Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 10:00 am – noon, Sinergia, 2082 Lexington Ave., 4th floor. The topic will be special education advocacy, by Advocates for Children. Information: Yesenia Estrella (212) 643-2840 x 349; yestrella@sinergiany.org.
Legislative: Lynn Decker explained that the Assembly Guardianship bill, to address constitutional issues of 17A guardianship, is not out of committee. The 911 bill (see above under IAC) seems to be moving. Jim Malley announced that the Manhattan Legislative Breakfast will be March 9, 2018. Next meeting to be announced. Information: Jim Malley (212) 928-5810 x 101; Jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition: Kathy Kelly announced that at the next committee meeting the focus will be on the June graduates and on topics for next year. Next meeting Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 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 Council: Margaret Puddington reported that the Council met last week and had an outstanding presentation about medications that affect behavior, including what is known about medical marijuana, by Dr. Peter Della Bella, child and adult psychiatrist. Next meeting to be announced. Information: Margaret Puddington (212) 799-2042; Margaret.puddington@gmail.com.
Service Coordination: Carol Lincoln reported that the annual forum was very well attended. There was an excellent presentation by Kate Bishop on the future of MSC. Marco expressed the Council’s appreciation of those who worked so hard on this event. The next meeting will be Friday, June 9, 2017, 10:00 am – noon, Contemporary Guidance Services, 52 Broadway, 4th floor. The topic will be Partners Health Plan. Information: Carol Lincoln (718) 859-5420 x 225; clincoln@adaptcommunitynetwork.org.
VIII. New Business
Lynn Decker announced that the Housing Alliance will have recurrent meetings. Meetings so far have been productive. She also announced a rally today on behalf of the 400 families, some with I/DD, who use CDPAP for personal care from the agency Concepts for Independence. HRA has terminated its business relationship with Concepts with little notice given to families, who must now choose from a list of 10 (unfamiliar) agencies.
Elly Rufer asked for a volunteer or volunteers to help with DD Council electronic efforts. If interested, please contact her at elly.rufer@gmail.com.