FSS Minutes – 4/9/13

Next Meeting:                        Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon

Location:                               YAI, 460 West 34^th Street – 11^th Floor, New York, New York 10001

For More Information:      Jennifer Shaoul @ 212.273.6869 / Jennifer.Shaoul@yai.org

Amy Bittinger @ 718-859-5420 ext. 234 / abittinger@ucpnyc.org

Topics will be :  Presentations from:

1. Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC)
2. Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY)
3. Self-Advocacy of New York State

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Samantha Schwendeman of Sprout announced:

1. NYC program always has openings, 16+, living at home with family, in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.
2. Queens free weekends. Free to families that reside in Queens, 22+ living at home with family, non-blind and ambulatory.  Two trips in May to Mystic, CT and Penn Dutch, PA

Call 212-222-9575 or Samantha@gosprout.org

2. Jay Kleinman of Lifespire announced that there is now a waiting list for their behavior management program Spanish and English. Call 718-454-6940

3. Michelle Lang of YAI  LINK announced:
   1. Private pay Ballet/ Yoga classes in Manhattan for children. Sliding scale available for children on the autism spectrum.
   2. Free adult yoga series for young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
   3. YAI’s Center for Specialty Therapy

•  General socialization group 30+
• Anger management  group
• Socialization group for individuals with high-functioning Asperger’s

4. Family Support Series-For Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders was distributed.
5. Manhattan based recreation. 16+, all levels welcome.
6. Vacancy memo distributed.

Call 212-273-6182

4. Pat Liu of GHO announced that they have availability of Reimbursement funds for goods and short term respite. Family Support Case Management, Medicaid is not required, bilingual staff Mandarin/Cantonese.  Call 718-307-6563

5. Ilka Brito of UCP of NYC announced

1. Family Connect free weekly workshop this Thursday, April 11^th, “Everything you need to know about NYCHA-Services for people with Disabilities Unit.
2. Overnight Respite program in the Bronx is accepting applications.
3. Family Reimbursement still has funding and that there is extra funding for Manhattan residents for Durable Medical Equipment.
4. Housing Assistance Services is accepting applications to assist with NYCHA applications and housing advocacy.

Call 877-827-2666 or projectconnect@ucpnyc.org

1. Amy Bittinger of UCP of NYC provided an overview of the NY State budget passed by Governor Cuomo and the legislator. At this time, it appears that OPWDD cuts will be 4.5%.

1. Jennifer Shaoul of YAI  LINK announced:
   1. YAI, Premiere Health have partnered with the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai on an important study that uses Family Peer Advocates to help improve the health and well-being of children with autism.

Call Sara Soffers at 212-241-2993

1. Janet Davis of Metro DDRO announced:
   1. A RFP will be issued for $550,000 for respite services for Manhattan only. It will only include waiver respite services.  The information session for the RFP is tentatively scheduled for May 2^nd.
   2. Metro DDRO is moving to lower Manhattan-Beaver Street.

PRESENTATION:

Nora Rubovitz,Assistant Director, Family Services Projects, Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks

 

An overview was provided of their services and supports. Ms. Rubovitz circulated three flyers and reviewed them in detail.

1. Family Services Grant Programs
   1. Family Services Community Grant

Autism Speaks Family Services accepts community grant proposals that serve to build the field of services for individuals with autism and expand the capacity to effectively serve this growing community.

1. Baker Summer Camp Program

The Baker Summer Camp Program offers up to $5000 in scholarship funds for financially disadvantage individuals with autism to attend a summer camp, and partners with eligible camps to identify qualified campers.

1. Autism Cares

Autism Cares provides financial relief up to $1000 for individuals with autism and their families to help cover costs of critical living expenses- food, clothing, housing, automobile repair, daycare, funeral expenses, and other essential items on a case-by-case basis. Families must be affected by a natural disaster or other catastrophic life event such as the loss of job or home within the past 90 days. The grants are rewarded once per month.

1. Autism Response Team (ART)

The Autism Response Team (ART) is specially trained to provide information, tools and resources to people with autism, their families and caregivers.

1. Autism Speaks Tool Kits (please see attachment)

 

NEXT MONTH:Attachments MFS April mins

Presentations from:

1.         Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC)

2.         Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY)

3.         Self-Advocacy of New York State