I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes were approved
III. Announcements (Link to flyers distributed)
Please submit Council Dues if you have not done so yet
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
UCP/NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
YAI
The vacancy list is attached. The fall 2012-winter 2013 schedule of the Family Support Series for Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders is also attached. Save the date for the Latino Conference on Tuesday, March 5th. Ballet/Yoga Program, private pay, ages 5 – 9. Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
QSAC
There are openings in the Day Hab program in Manhattan, Bronx and Queens; see attached for details.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached.
Hawthorne Country Day
Program vacancy list is attached.
Resources for Children with Special Needs
Camp Fair is coming up January 26th. Call 212.677.4650 for information.
Margaret Puddington announced the launch of the Facebook page for the Coalition of Families for Direct Support Staff, made possible with the invaluable assistance of Elly Rufer. This Facebook page will include important action alerts about critical issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and will provide information about important events and policies. Access this page directly at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coalition-of-Families-for-Direct-Support-Staff/123511307797151 and “like” us.
Visits to other DD councils were done by Margaret Puddington and Elly Rufer to see what happens at other councils’ meetings and how the others function. Margaret and Elly shared some of the other councils’ practices that the Manhattan DD Council might want to adopt.
IV. State News – Donna Limiti
OPWDD hearings on the Statewide 5.07 Plan will be held at Morton Street on January 18th, 12:30 – 4:00. On the same date OPWDD is holding a presentation on PROMOTE for senior managers. OPWDD is conducting a fire-safety analysis of residences statewide. As a result Metro DDRO will have to upgrade 12 homes run by 6 agencies. Regarding the OPWDD reorganization, a new director has been appointed for Long Island, and Donna Limiti’s responsibility is now for the five boroughs only. OPWDD is now promoting Individual and Community Supports (ICS), concentrating on school graduates and getting to them earlier. OPWDD is also exploring which people in nursing homes could be served in an OPWDD setting. This is a staff-intensive project, and OPWDD’s workforce is not growing.
OPWDD is transitioning its MSC services to the voluntaries and is in the process of training MSCs for other jobs. There are 72 Metro individuals who will need to transfer to voluntary MSC providers. Metro DDRO is holding MSC transition fairs where families may select a non-state MSC provider. There is no deadline for transitioning. The Bronx fair is on January 23rd from 1:00 – 6:00 and the Manhattan Fair is January 25th from 1:00 – 6:00. Call Jenine Kirschner for more information at 212.229.3142. See attached flier.
OPWDD’s Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner, Jim Moran, is retiring after 36 years. Kerry Delaney, OPWDD’s Chief Counsel, will be taking his position. OPWDD’s Morton Street offices will be moving to Beaver Street, possibly by April. OPWDD and United Hospital Fund sponsored a People First Waiver meeting for families and stakeholders, with open conversation on how to move quickly into a managed care system.
V. City News
No report today. ln discussion, there was agreement that the Council should protest the city cuts in funding and insist that the city take responsibility to fill the gaps in state funding—e.g., serving people who have DD but are not waiver eligible, providing work readiness, facilitating projects between OPWDD and OASAS.
VI. IAC/Federation Report – Jim Malley
IAC: Suzanne Timmerhans, IAC’s new Associate Executive Director for Management Services, reported that she will focus on initiatives for shared savings, such as group purchasing, new payment systems, back office operations, workers compensations, health insurance. She is also working on executive compensation, employee benefits, IT services, and other initiatives.
Suzanne also reported that IAC’s second annual conference will be held May 30/31. Lobby Days have been changed to February 27/28. The NYS Executive Budget is due to be released January 22. The Commissioner will be a guest at the Membership meeting on January 31.
Jim Malley reported that IAC is working with agencies impacted by the storm. Nearly 100 people are still not back into their homes. No cash seems to be coming from CMS.
Jim also reported that IAC committee chairs have been meeting as a group and are interested in coming up with new proposals, not only reacting to the state’s proposals. The chairs have been discussing the state’s transition to Individual and Community Supports (ICS) and have already put forth some creative models for providing residential services.
Federation: The last meeting was cancelled; another is scheduled for the week of Jan. 21.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – At the January meeting, there was a presentation on Family Type Homes for Adults, provided through HRA. This is the equivalent of foster care for adults. The adults must be medication compliant and independent in ADLs. There was also a presentation on Home Sharing, a similar program in which adults with disabilities who are mostly independent live with a senior. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2/12, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call Amy Bittinger at 718-859-5420, ext. 234 for more information.
Legislative – The date for the 2013 Manhattan Legislative Breakfast is Friday, March 15. The committee will start meeting soon and will address city as well as state issues. If you are interested in helping to plan the Breakfast, please contact Jim Malley at jmalley@esperanzacenter.net.
Transition – The next meeting will be the Student Information Exchange on Wednesday, 1/23, at 9:30am at Metro DDRO, 75 Morton Street, 1st Floor Activity Center. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – The next meeting is Thursday, 1/24, at 10:00am, at Metro DDRO, 75 Morton Street. The speaker will be Gerry Huber, OPWDD, on Individual and Community Supports (ICS) and an update on the People First waiver. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – The next meeting will be on Friday, 2/1 at 10 AM at UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor. Guest speaker will be Allen Rosen, Home Care Consultant. At 11:30, the committee will plan for the next MSC Forum. MSCs will receive a certificate towards their training requirements for 1.5 hours. Contact Carol Lincoln to participate, clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s Committee – The next meeting will be announced. For information about the Committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
VIII. New Business
New Ad Hoc Outreach Committee – Council members discussed the importance of reaching out to young parents. The following people volunteered to serve on a new Outreach Committee: Trish Chapman, Jennifer Shaoul, Elly Rufer, Lou Mazzella, Lori Podvesker, Susan Williams, Chris Muccioli, Melinda Walsh, Margaret Puddington.
Next meeting: Thursday, February 14th, 9:30 a.m., at IAC, 150 West 30th Street, 15th Floor.