I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes were approved; if you were unable to open them, they are available as always on the DD Council website (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements
Elly Rufer
Elly has created a new group for parent leadership to replace itself with a new generation of leaders via a mentee/mentor program. The group is called the New York City Family Information and Resource Network. Next month there will be a presentation about the group.
Lori Podvesker, parent and Resources for Children with Special Needs, is one of 8 mayoral appointees to the NYC Panel on Educational Policy.
AHRC NYC
Program vacancy list is attached. Summer camp applications are being accepted.
Archcare at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
See attached for openings in the Developmental Disabilities Clinic.
YAI
YAI Premier HealthCare is now accepting Fidelis members. See attached flier for Autism Family Support Series as well as a flier for family services vacancies. Call YAI LINK at 212-273-6182 for referrals and any other information.
QSAC
Program vacancy list is attached.
UCP
Program vacancy list and workshop fliers are attached.
CP of New York State
Travel training is available.
Presentation
CO/LAB Theater Group – See attached presentation.ComingUP_May3, PlayOnWords_May18
IV. State News
Ellen Bleckman reported on behalf of Donna Limiti.
Rate rationalization will be implemented for group homes and day hab programs with a multiyear phase-in of 25% the first year, 50% the second year, 75% the third year, and 100% the fourth year. Managed care could not operate with a multiplicity of rates.
CSS is being redesigned. Notice has been disseminated that there will no longer be monthly units in CSS. Plans must be converted by October.
After October 1, 2014, template funding will be supported via BIP (Balancing Incentive Program).
There is a new waiver service: Individual Goods and Services.
Works for Me is seeking nominations of businesses that employ people with disabilities.
OPWDD will review ICF conversions and may support reinvestments.
OPWDD is trying to speed up the eligibility and the Front Door process.
Jennifer Shaoul pointed out that the OPWDD website has not been corrected and still says that parents must print and bring handouts to the Front Door information sessions. She also repeated her request that the DDP2 be translated into other languages. Jennifer also reported that some Front Door personnel are telling parents that they must get MSC, although some parents may not need it and having MSC means they would not get able to get respite without waiver. Ellen said she would follow up with Manhattan Front Door staff.
Ellen clarified that based on the liability regulations, no waiver is required if a person gets SEMP only or respite only. If a person has eligibility and just wants a family support contract service (not a waiver service), the person must do the EAA tool, including the DDP2, and may then go directly to an agency.
V. City News
Janice Chisholm is the new director of the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities.
$500,000 has been restored in the budget. This money is being distributed to 8 agencies for Other Than Personal Services because this is one-shot funding.
VI. IAC/Federation Report
IAC:
Jim Malley reported on the budget for Richard Bosch. An on-time budget was passed with a 2% increase in salaries for direct support professionals (DSPs) and support staff as of January 1, 2015. A second 2% is slated for April 1, 2015, and will include clinicians, but that increase will have to be passed in next year’s budget, if the fiscal situation doesn’t bar it. A requirement that OPWDD provide information on the development of a credentialing program for DSPs, including cost, was also passed.
The Nurse Practice Act exemption was extended to uncertified sites. Details have yet to be worked out between State Education Department and OPWDD.
The $35 million in the Governor’s proposed budget for new development was not increased. There is no guidance as to what models are included in the $35 million, and there is uncertainly going forward. Agencies may submit proposals, using a wide range of models.
For Early Intervention, the budget did not address the fiscal agent issues, and no increase was provided.
No increases for 853 schools.
For 4410 preschools, a fee-for-service rate will replace the tuition rate. A regional rate was not established.
The proposed State Education waiver of state mandates that exceed federal regulations was not approved.
A Medicaid managed care advisory body will be established.
A clinicians advisory group to Department of Health will be established.
A tax credit was established for businesses that employ people with disabilities.
In addition to the budget issues, IAC has been working to resolve issues of co-location of Article 16 and 28 clinics.
Federation:
Did not meet.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – At the last meeting, CO/LAB Theater Group presented, as did Keoni Movement Arts. At the next meeting, family reimbursement programs will discuss how they operate. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4/8/2014, at 10am at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Call 718-859-5420, ext. 234 for more information.
Legislative – The Legislative Breakfast was very successful. The committee met this morning, prior to the DD Council meeting, to explore possible changes. Going forward maybe we should include a federal component in the agenda. Also a very brief video recap can be considered. We might ask for meetings with federal representatives and with state legislators who were not represented at the Breakfast. The next meeting will be announced. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Jim Malley at jmalley@esperanzacenter.com.
Transition – The last meeting was the Student Information Exchange, which was held the day of the 116th Street explosion and just blocks away. Attendance was affected. This year there are about 65-70 graduates, with many looking for employment. The next meeting will be on 4/9/2014, AHRC at 9:30 AM at AHRC, 83 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor Board Room. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 4/9/2014, at 10 AM at the Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, 2nd floor Art Gallery. The topic will be: ‘What Do I Do When My Child…’ presented by Lana Small, Coordinator of Behavior Management Services, YAI. Call Margaret Puddington for more information, 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – At the last meeting Marco Damiani updated the MSCs about changes coming to the OPWDD service system, and Margaret Puddington spoke about the importance of family advocacy. The next meeting is on Friday, 4/25/2014, at 10 AM at UCP/NYC, 80 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor conference room. The speaker will be: Dr. Paul Hutchinson, Director of Advocacy Services, AHRC. The MSC Forum will be held May 15. To participate on the committee or to become involved in any capacity, please contact Carol Lincoln at clincoln@ucpnyc.org.
Children’s Committee – The next meeting will be on Monday, 4/28/2014, at 9:30 AM at Esther Ashkenas Central Park Early Learning Center, 65 Central Park West, Lobby Level. The topic will be: ‘How Do I Choose a Summer Camp for My Child’. For more information about the committee, contact Christina Muccioli at Christina.Muccioli@ahrcnyc.org.
Nominations Committee – Margaret Puddington announced that the terms of DD Council officers will expire in June. The current officers are: Marco Damiani, Chair; Marilyn Rubinstein, Professional Vice Chair; Susan Williams, Parent Vice Chair; Elly Rufer, Secretary; Jessie Backie, Treasurer. Term of office is two years. The Nominations Committee will present a slate at the May meeting. Elections will be held at the June meeting. To nominate yourself or anyone else, please contact Margaret at 212-799-2042 or Margaret.puddington@gmail.com. To be eligible to vote for Council officers, a member must have attended at least three meetings in the nine months prior to the voting meeting or have attended the two meetings immediately before the voting meeting. Voting is limited to one vote for each provider agency and one vote for each family member and self-advocate. Representatives of City and State governments are not eligible to vote.
Next DD Council meeting: Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 9:30 AM at FEGS, 315 Hudson Street, 9th floor. (Enter on 80 Van Dam Street).