I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes from April were accepted.
III. Announcements
UCP
The vacancy list is attached. Please call 212.919.9700 ext.70 for more information. There is a One Day Conference at Baruch College on Friday, June 10th. Please see attached flyer.
YAI
Health Education Workshops (free trainings for professionals) begin in June. On July 14th there is a workshop – What Every Service Coordinator Needs to Know, But Doesn’t Know Whom to Ask. The vacancy list is attached. The spring 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.
AHRC
The vacancy list is attached.
Resources for Children with Special Needs
June 6th, Bright Futures – See attached flyer. Camp Fair, January 28, 2012.
Free Intensive Educational Advocacy is available for families in Manhattan – call 212-677-4650, ext. 29 or lpodvesker@resourcesnyc.org for more information.
NYC DOHMH
June 1 conference on “Transitions: Informed Choices” at Fordham University School of Law on West 62nd Street from 9-12:30. Call 347-396-7141 or 347-396-7143 for more information.
IV. Presentation
Mike Attwell – On the Road to an 1115 Medicaid Waiver in NYS for the DD Service System: A Waiver Primer.
Please see attached for more information.
V. State News
Janet Zampella is the new Acting Director of the Capital District DDSO. OPWDD Deputy Director Maria Bediako has been assigned to the 1115 Waiver, and will spend the vast majority of her time on the Waiver.
39 day service opportunities were approved. For the Community Hab RFP, only four proposals were received. One of these was approved, and the other three are pending review. The full waitlist is being maintained, about 450 people, but there is no new residential development in Manhattan. Over 100 of the people on the waiting list will need placement in the next two years. There is an ongoing Residential RFP for 2009-2013.
VI. City News
The Mayor’s budget was announced. Willie Lopez completed all visits to Family Services Programs funded by the City. The Bureau is reviewing the individuals who are served, and who will receive services going forward. They are looking at underserved populations, and aiming to serve people who live at home. City council survey was delivered by the UJA for the Autism Initiative, which received funding again.
VII. IAC / Federation Report
IAC is reacting to OPWDD’s reactions and proposed suggestions in response to the NY Times report on abuse. Another fallout from the article was the questioning of the good rating of the tax exempt bonding available through the IAC. If the rating is downgraded, the interest rates would rise substantially. A collaboration committee is looking at various means to reduce costs, including use of buildings, starting businesses, combining day and residential services, and moving people into employment. Eyes are on the new waiver development. Ed Matthews has been nominated to serve another term as president of the IAC to ensure continuity between old waiver and new waiver. On June 13th at IAC there will be a meeting regarding the new waiver.
The Borough Chairs will meet in May, and the entire Federation will be meeting in June.
VIII. Committee Reports
Family Support – The next meeting will be on May 14 at UCP/NYC, 120 East 23rd Street, 5th floor. Call 212-979-9700, ext. 708 for more information. Planning will begin for the Family Support Fair at this meeting.
Legislative – The Committee will start planning if action is needed on the 1115 Waiver.
Transition – There are fewer than 75 graduates for this June. About a third of the graduates’ placements have been secured. Two-thirds have not been placed. There are vacancies and opportunities, and the students do have MSC’s for the most part. There is no concern that there is an unmet need or there won’t be placement. One obstacle is getting the evaluations done. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 6/8 at 9:30 AM at UCP, 122 East 23rd Street, 1st floor boardroom. Call Kathy Kelly at 212-780-2724 for more information.
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council – The next meeting will be Thursday, June 9 in the evening at 5:30, or on Friday, June 10 at 10am. The same topic will be addressed at both meetings – a budget update from Wini Schiff from IAC, and how the budget cuts are being implemented.
Service Coordination –The MSC Forum is scheduled for Friday, May 13th.
Children’s Committee – No report today
Next meeting: Thursday, June 9th at YAI, 460 West 34th Street, 12th floor.