I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes from June were accepted.
III. Announcements: ATTACHMENTS
Hawthorne Country Day School
There are openings in their Behavior Management Planning Program. Please see attached for more information.
YAI
The vacancy list is attached. The Autism Parent Support Series is in progress. Please see attached for more information. Call YAI LINK at 212.273.6182 for referrals and any other information.
Center for Family Support
Please see attached flyer for openings
Terence Cardinal Cooke
Please see attached flyer for openings
AHRC
The vacancy list is attached.
FEGS
Please see attached flyer for openings and contact information.
QSAC
There are many openings that are available. Please see attached flyer. Call (718) 728-8476 for more information.
UCP
The vacancy list is attached. Partners in Change – October 15th. Please see attached flyer. Please call 212.979.9700 ext.70 for more information.
NYLPI
Free legal services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Contact Paola Martinez-Boone at (212) 244-4664 or pmartinez-boone@nylpi.org for more information.
Presentation
Special presentation by Al Kaplan, Interim CEO, AHRC/NYC. Read the Power Point Used
IV. State News – Donna Limiti
Donna Limiti reported that there are many new initiatives in place to improve service systems. The reorganization of OPWDD went into effect on July 2nd. Previously each district had a director of both state and voluntary operations. Now, the oversight of state and voluntary operations has been divided. Donna Limiti is director of voluntary operations for Region 4 (all 5 boroughs). Sheryl Minter-Brooks is director of state operations of all boroughs but Queens. Donna Limiti is interim acting director of state operations for Queens and Long Island. Liz Camber is deputy director of voluntary operations for Metro and Queens; Sheila Gholson is deputy director of voluntary operations for Brooklyn and SI. The expectation is that there will be consistency of practice statewide.
Donna discussed OPWDD’s new Individualized Community Supports (ICS), which is a person-centered approach to developing individualized services. ICS will simplify the process for developing the particular services that the person actually needs, rather than just placing him/her in traditional services. ICS will replace CSS, portal, and ISS services. Metro NY has a total of $2 million that must be used by the end of March. Proposals should be submitted as soon as possible.
V. City News – Sandra Piggee
City funding for autism services has been increased from $1.25 million to $1.31 million and from 25 to 26 providers. The DDP Grant has been renewed for a fourth year. There is a new portal for communication between agencies and DOHMH departments. The system is still being tested.
VI. IAC / Federation Report – Jim Malley
IAC
IAC is encouraging participation in the Direct Support Professional s Recognition celebration at City Hall on September 14.
IAC is conducting a study on how much time, effort, and dollars go into enforcing new OPWDD regulations (including training time and costs).
A new staff position has been created at IAC to explore interagency cooperation (e.g., group purchasing, standardized measurements, and health insurance).
Municipal Capital, which underwrites IAC’s bond sales, is making available a tool for providers to use to assess their financial health.
IAC is keeping a close eye on an exemption which is set to expire next year: the requirement by the NYS Education Department which allows only licensed workers to counsel individuals or to carry out behavior plans. State Education has already rejected arguments based on financial concerns and on the availability of licensed clinicians.
Richard Bosch of IAC reported that there was a rough beginning to school for preschoolers in regard to transportation, with children being dropped at the wrong schools and arriving back home very late. The IAC Education has been working closely with the director of transportation to resolve issues.
Richard also reported that the Department of Health has proposed arm’s length regulations again, even though the legislature removed them from the Governor’s budget proposals. IAC providers’ evaluations showed only 62% of applicants were eligible and of those, only 22% received services from the same provider that conducted the evaluations.
Federation
The next borough chairs meeting is on September 14th.
VII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 9th at 10 AM at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. There will be a discussion of Manhattan priorities for the upcoming family support RFP, as well as planning for the Fair. The Fair is scheduled for November 29th at St. Paul the Apostle. Please contact Amy Bittinger or Jennifer Shaoul with ideas for workshops at the Fair. Call Amy Bittinger at 718-859-5420 x 234 for more information.
Legislative – This committee deals with political advocacy, especially after the new year, and organizes the annual legislative breakfast held in March. The next meeting will be determined. Call Jim Malley at 212-928-5810 x 101 for more information.
Transition – This committee focuses on transition from school to adult services for District 75 and some non-public school students. The meetings are attended by school personnel, adult day services providers, and parents. The committee met yesterday and learned that about 12 2012 graduates have not been placed due to individual or parent choice. A preliminary estimate of 2013 graduates shows 75 from District 75 and 15 from Cooke. The committee is urging the DDSO to inform parents of aging out students about adult day services in timely fashion. The next meeting is on Wednesday, October 10th at 9:30 AM at Life Adjustment Center, 1430 Broadway (at 40th Street), Suite 503. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – The next meeting will be Thursday, September 27, at 10:00 AM at 75 Morton Street. There will be a discussion of Manhattan family support priorities for the upcoming family support RFP, and Catherine Jones of YAI will present on sex education. There will also be a joint evening advocacy meeting TENTATIVELY scheduled for Thursday, October 25th at 5:30 PM at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor. Please see attached for more information, or call Margaret Puddington at 212-799-2042.
Service Coordination – This committee presents an annual forum and occasional meetings for MSCs. The next meeting will be announced. Call Irina Tuchina for more information. She can be reached at 212-273-6100 ext. 2418.
Children’s Committee – Joan Flood Dwyer, of the Kennedy Child Study Center, will co-chair this committee, which has speakers, presentations, and workshops as well as opportunities for networking. The committee deals with EI, preschool, and school age issues. The next meeting is scheduled for October 4th at 9:30 AM at Jewish Guild for the Blind, 15 West 65th Street, ground floor. For more information, contact Christina Muccioli at 212-780-2532.
VIII. New Business
MDDC By-laws
A motion was passed to accept the amended by-laws, which include creation of the office of Treasurer. The nominations committee then nominated Jessie Backe for the post of Treasurer. If anyone has someone else that they would like to nominate as treasurer, please send the names to Margaret Puddington before the next council meeting.
Elly Rufer announced that the council now has a facebook page. You can go to the council website via www.manhattanddcouncil.org to find the link to facebook, or go directly to the site and like us via http://www.facebook.com/ManhattanDDCouncil.
Next meeting: Thursday, October 11th, at FEGS,
315 Hudson Street, 9th floor.