I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes were approved
III. Announcements (Link to Flyers Distributed)
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.
Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
QSAC
There are openings in the Day Hab program in the Bronx, Queens and Nassau County; see attached for details.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached
Hawthorne Country Day
Program vacancy list is attached.
Riverstone Senior Life
Flyer is attached.
IV. Guest Speaker, Barbara Greene, Director, POINT Program
The POINT Program provides support to help young adults with developmental disabilities to live independently. Please see attached for more information.DDcouncil 12-12 Presentation
V. State News
The Care at Home waiver consolidation has been pushed back to April 1st. State staff is being trained on the new ICS (Individual and Community Supports) template. Dates for FMS brokers: Dec. 21 and Jan. 4. ICS will be implemented January 1. The DDRO move to Beaver Street has been delayed due to Hurricane Sandy.
VI. City News
There will be a $1.2m budget cut for FY 2013 which will affect 11 work readiness programs. An additional cut from last year due to city budget shortfall will take effect in the next 6 months. City funding for DD services has now shrunk to $6m. Advocacy is needed to preserve and enhance city funding.
The city is discussing the local government plan with the DD Councils.
VII. IAC/Federation Report
IAC: IAC has helped OPWDD gather information on the fiscal impact of Hurricane Sandy and is putting together recommendations on emergency preparedness. IAC is also submitting comments on EI arms-length proposed regulations. IAC is developing a paper on the subminimum wage, which is currently permitted for people who do not produce an hour’s worth of work for an hour’s pay, such as in sheltered workshops. Employers are reluctant to pay the minimum wage for people who cannot produce at the expected levels. IAC is also commenting on proposed regulations to keep fiscal records for program-related expenditures on site.
IAC’s annual conference will be held May 30/31. Lobby Days are February 26/27. The NYS Executive Budget is due to be released the week of January 21. The Commissioner will be a guest at the Membership meeting on January 31.
Federation: The next meeting is December 19th in Queens.
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The Family Support Fair was a huge success with great attendance: 626 total, with 282 families. The revised FSS Directory includes new agencies/programs and reorganization of waiver services. At the December meeting, there was a presentation on TechWorks and Share, from UCP of NYC, and also a presentation on toys for children with disabilities. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 1/8, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. The topic will be family style homes for adults and also home sharing. Call 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 Wednesday, 1/9, at 9:30am at Life Adjustment Center, 1430 Broadway at 40th St., Suite 503. The committee is gearing up for the Student Information Exchange Meeting, to be held on Wednesday, 1/23, at 9:30 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 jointly sponsored FSSAC/DD Council meeting: presentation on Effective Legislative Advocacy, with Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and his Chief of Staff, Wendi Paster, held December 12, was well attended with excellent presentations. The next meeting is on Thursday, 1/24, at 10:00am, at Metro DDRO, 75 Morton Street. The speaker will be Gerry Huber, OPWDD, on ICS (Individual and Community Supports) and the People First waiver. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – The committee held a meeting for MSCs, where Kathy Kelly and Lou Mazzella discussed PCSS vs. MSC, which requires ongoing comprehensive service coordination. The MSC Forum will be on May 23rd at Pace University. Please 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.
IX. New Business
No report.
Next meeting: Thursday, January 10th at AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor.