I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes
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- November minutes Approved. The minutes are posted on the Council website. If you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements
–Please remember to pay your dues which help support our events throughout the year.
ManhattanDDcouncil@gmail.com. Please send all information and flyers to the email address. All non-fundraiser events can be posted on the website. You can reap many benefits when paying your dues.
AHRC
program vacancies in many of their programs. Day habilitation openings in all 5 boroughs. Contact the Referral & Information Center at 212 780-4491 for information.
ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City
See attached flyers for all upcoming programs as well as program vacancies
1877-827-2666 or email project connect @adaptcommunity network.org
Family Support Workshop Series- First Workshop October 9th.
Family Connect-topic is busing. Spanish translation available
-QSAC
See attached flyer for program vacancies
Openings in the after school programs
-Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
-YAI
Information is attached for service vacancies. For information about any YAI programs, please call 212-273-6182, or email link@yai.org.
See attached flyers for the different programs available.
Funds still available for emergency respite.
–NY START
212-273-6300
Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs.
Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available
NYLPI – looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid
Sinergia– see attached flyers for vacancies and reimbursement money.
Americare-please see attached flyer and application for the pediatric program.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council-see attached flyer
IV. State News – Janes Doherty-Deputy director
- Given the significant budget crisis facing the state. The governor’s office is looking into big projects to see when they can begin
- CFCO will not launch on 1/1. Waiting for further direction from DOH
- SIPPL is under review at the cabinet level.
- Manhattan DDRO currently interviewing for the Director level
V. City News – Gavin Myers
- The city is gearing up for the local planning process for 2020. The meetings will take place in March.
Keys needs
- Work force
- Residential supports
- Supports and services for people who are not opwdd eligible or Medicaid eligible.
- More focus groups will be held.
VI. Guest Presentation-NYC Civic Corps-see attached presentation
- NYC Service is a division of the Mayor’s Office focused on expanding civic engagement through volunteerism and service.
- Our programs act as a skill building, career exploration, civic leadership development, and networking program for members to prepare to enter the public and non-profit sectors
- Currently in the 11thprogram year at NYC Service, being founded in 2009
- The goal is to get more volunteers
- The program is looking to expand their foot print into working with non-profit agencies in the IDD community.
- Food bank is an example of one of the places that uses Civic Corp.
- Sing for Hope brings in volunteers to go in and sing for the elderly in their home.
- The Application process is a s follows:
- Attend an information session or participate in an informational phone call
- Complete NYC Civic Corps Volunteer Assessment form
- Participate in a site visit at your organization with a NYC Service staff member
- Submit Host Site Application
- Attend a Position Description Workshop
- Submit Position Description
- Final Decision on Application Submission
Q-Are there cases where the volunteers are replacing paid workers?
A, No
Q-Who does the vetting for who will work in the company?
A-Civic Corps will do the initial evaluation and then they will pass it onto the host site. There are 1-2 members who typically who in the organization. If they have been part of Americore for 5 years or more it could be up to 4 staff members.
Runs September 2020-July 2021.
VII. IAC Report
3 weeks ago the Mayor’s office announced a salary parody agreement, except for the 4410 schools. Theses teachers will be the lowest paid teachers in the city. There is a potential to lose many teachers over the summer. The teachers in the early childhood programs can make about $62,000 per year whereas the 4410 classes make $40,000 for the same teachers with the same education. The vacancy rate is 28% which is the same rate as this past ear. Nothing has changed. The State and the city are failing our youngest children at a critical time in their life. By leaving out the teachers from 4410 programs it harms the children in the school. It’s discrimination to the children in the classes. The impact on the kids is harmful.
- Changes to background and screening of how people work with children. The federal government changed the law on background checks and were given 4 years to change the requirements. NYC delayed the implementation plan. A new staff person cannot start until they are fully cleared through the background check. There is a delay of 3 months of when someone can be cleared. If someone were to apply to be a teacher today you can’t get a fingerprint appointment until the end of January and then it takes 2 months after that. Outside of NYC it takes a week.
- NYC DOE is Article 43 and therefore they are not under the same requirements. The programs that are affected are article 47 programs.
- Board of Regents in their proposal have finally acknowledged that the 4410 schools are in a crisis for staff. Finally our vocal advocacy has resonated to the board. IAC is working with the Board to work on new tuition methodologies
OPWDD is moving forward with their campaign 3 for 5. They are working with the human services collation so it’s a broader act.
The 3 for 5 is targeting that there needs to be an increase for living that has not been given in many years. 152 OPWDD agencies are in finical crisis that basically have 1 week of payroll extra to operate their agency.
VIII. Committee Reports:
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs: Carol Lincoln and Jackie Ceonzo
December 10th was the last meeting. The topic was future planning. Many parents were at the meeting and it was a great discussion. There was a lot of positive feedback from the participants who came.
Legislative Committee: Co-Chairs Jim Malley & Lynn Decker
After 10 straight years of rates at 0 the sates announced 6 billion deficit in spending which seems to be untrue. They now said its only 1 billion but the numbers are still staggering. In January the committee will meet to discuss what they will focus on.
SWAN is having their first legislative event on January 14th. They have the balcony lobby in the LOB area. If anyone has ideas of focus points or people we should visit please let us know. Our member groups are from all over the state.
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
The last meeting was held on December 5th. Communication without words. It is a hands on training.
The topic was speaking without words. There was a good crowd but not so many new families. Ramapo for Children hosted the meeting where it was a hands on workshop. They made communication boards and other things. The next meeting is Tuesday January 14th breakfast will be served!
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and Maggie Maldonado
The mission is to help transition students to services beyond high school. November 20th was a meet and greet for many parents and professionals. It was a great meeting. January 29th at SNACK focusing on a panel of self-Direction
New Business:
- We are looking to reinvent the council Website. Send whatever feeds you follow that you think would be of interest to the council. OPWDD has slowed down its communication and we feel it’s important to get the word out. We will evaluate if the council can put in on the website.
- Today in congress there is a briefing form a disability activist Not dead yet speaking to the opposition of assisted suicide. The disability community has growing concerns of assisted suicide.
- The Manhattan Borough president has set up a task force to desensitize and closing buildings. This is an opportunity to have new housing for people with disabilities that in order to see the buildings they should have this added in.