Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council
Next Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
10:00 A.M.
Come and hear updates from providers, OPWDD, and New York City DOHMH
Learn what’s happening as we continue to work to ensure services and supports for people with I/DD!
Hybrid Meeting – Join In Person OR Virtual
In Person:
AHRCNYC
83 Maiden lane Room 1315
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97723827673?pwd=CDw2MFQvdvNvaIMgxOWiumRPmPiCBV.1
Meeting ID: 977 2382 7673 / Passcode: 983899
One tap mobile: +19292056099,,97723827673#,,,,*983899#
Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
October 21, 2025
I. Introductions
The April minutes are posted on the Council website. If you would like to refer to past minutes, they are always available on the DD Council website: (www.manhattanddcouncil.org).
III. Announcements
ManhattanDDCouncil@gmail.com. Please send all information and flyers to the email address. All non-fundraiser events can be posted on the website.
We will continue our meetings in person and via Zoom and we appreciate everyone who participates
NY State Institute on Disability
Doris Khan
Family support service provider agency
Family reimbursement available for Manhattan families (camp, goods, services, etc.)
Jackie Tripodi, 929-202-1115, jtripodi@nysidinc.org
Sinergia
Openings for evaluations, case management, family reimbursement, housing advocacy, educational advocacy
Residences in Manhattan
Johana Santana, jsantana@sinergiany.org
YAI
Manhattan Crisis Intervention- We provide support with behavior management, toilet training, counseling and support connecting with other services including OPWDD eligibility. To place a referral, you can reach out to 212-273-6200 or email manhattancrisisintervention@yai.org
openings in other Manhattan programs:
Socialization Skills- a socialization program for people ages 9 and up with a diagnosis of autism. There are 10 weekly sessions in the fall and spring. Some of the topics reviewed include friendships, communication, social boundaries, etc.
Parents with Special Needs- PWSN empowers parents with developmental disabilities through direct support and skills training, to become more independent and successful parents. Some of the topics reviewed include parenting and family empowerment, skills training that include infant care, behavior management, safety awareness, time management and other topics. Parents must have parental rights of the child.
Independent Living Skills- 18 years+. This program features ongoing weekly group sessions spread across two semesters (10 weeks each). Topics covered include budgeting, nutrition & kitchen safety, decision making, problem solving, community & internet safety, stress management.
GHO
Services available: Day hab, day hab without walls, prevocational, non-Medicaid case management to assist families seeking OPWDD eligibility, evaluations, CCO referral, family reimbursement, assistance for Chinese & Korean speaking families. As well as CDNY
Contact Pat Liu Chang, 718-307-6563, Pat@ghoinc.org
Lifespire
Openings in Manhattan behavior management & parent training program (virtual or in-person), no wait list
Call Jay Kleinman, 646-338-5632 or email jkleinman@lifespire.org
ADAPT Community Network
ADAPT Community Network offers a wide range of supports including Family Reimbursement, Housing Assistance Services, Doorways to Independence (home modification and repair program), Community Habilitation, Overnight Respite, Day Habilitation, Health Services, Early Childhood and School-Age programs, and more. Please contact Project Connect at 877-827-2666 or fill out “getting started” online form for more information https://adaptcommunitynetwork.org/service-options/getting-started/.
1-877-827-2666 for more info
Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan Brooklyn and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
Everett Community Services
Location in Brooklyn, openings in community habilitation & respite, day habilitation without walls (Bronx, available for Bronx & Manhattan residents)
Christopher O’Connor, 718-255-5946 x4056
Care Design NY
Care Coordination Organization (CCO), offering Care Manager services
Accepting new referrals, including those coming from other CCOs with wait lists
Assisting families through OPWDD eligibility, Medicaid enrollment, Medicaid waiver/parental deeming process
Summertime Gallery – an art studio + gallery for artists with and without disabilities pushing towards a more inclusive art world. We currently have two exciting groups we have during the week.
Studio Hours is a virtual group where we use different prompts, materials, and mediums to create art together. This is less of a step by step class but more of an art family/community where artists encourage and support each other.
Our second group is Art Walks + Talks. This hybrid group consists of visiting art museums or galleries in person every other week, and the opposing week we are virtual and create art using inspiration from the week prior. This group is great for those who want to immerse themselves in the NYC art world.
These groups accept Self-Direction and fee-for-service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to anna@summertimegallery.org or check out our website at Summertimegallery.org
Esperanza -site based day program in Manhattan and the Bronx as well as recreational programs for adults. 212-928-5810
NYLPI – NY Lawyers assistance regarding Higher education (students attending college in NYS only) FACING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION? FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE For Students in New York Navigating Challenges in Higher Education due to a Disability What We Offer: • Advice and Referrals • Accommodation Advocacy • Appeals and Grievances • Representation Getting Started: Contact us to schedule your free consultation and get connected to a Disability Justice Attorney to explore how we may be able to assist. Disability Justice Program New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (212) 244-4664 (voice/relay).
AHRC- AHRC NYC has openings for Free Evaluations for Individuals who do not have Medicaid and are seeking OPWDD eligibility. Contact Marrissa.mcmillan@ahrcnyc.org or the Referral Information Centre at 212-780-4491 or referrals@ahrcnyc.org
AHRC NYC has openings for Family Reimbursement. Contact Casey Barba at 917-715-8035 or AHRC.FamilyReimbursementPrograms@ahrcnyc.org
GoodWill– Day Hab vacancies
Excellent Home Care– Home care particularly focusing on minors to help with therapies and nursing. It is completely to the IEP. Contact us to explore if we can help you.
NYstate institute on disability-reimbursement for good service and camp-Jackie Trapodi-
Manager at Metro Community Health Centers.
Service we offer: Primary Care, Dental, Psychiatry, Neurology, Podiatry, Gynecology
We are in 4 locations: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
For further information please feel free to contact me or access our website: https://mchcny.org/
Contact Info:
Antony LuceroPatient Experience Manager Metro Community Health Centre
979 Cross Bronx Expressway Bronx, NY 10460 T: 718.665.7565 Direct Dial: (347) 291-8725
Guest presentation-CSIDD formerly NY START
Focus on the entire person. OUR goal is focus on clinical needs of the induvial and mitigate crisis.
Gaol is to have the entire team to speak to each other
Must have OPWDD eligibility
Must be 6 years and up.
CSIDD goal is to reduce 911 calls.
CSIDD works with local authorities
Positive psychology is a benefit of this program. The goal is to build on the individual’s strength.
A main document is the crisis plan to support the individual in the program. It showcases the current living environment, medications, how the person receives information. What they like and dislikes.
Resource centre is another benefit. It’s for people 18 years and older and enrolled in the program. This allows us to observe and learn and try different strategies to help someone. This can be used as a stepdown once someone has left the hospital. This also helps us implement trauma informed care. IF someone lives in a group home we welcome the DSP’s to come and learn what can help promote stability for the individual. There is no TV or cell phones. The clinical and medical director receive feedback to collect data in o=order to help n individual.
Community collaboration-first responders, giving presentations to other agencies. We attend school fairs and day programs
III. State News – James Dohrty
Federal budget impacts
- NYS current budget has a $7million match from the government. There are concerns about the big Beautiful Bill for our community with HEAP, SNAP and TaNIF. There is also a billion cut for covering undocumented immigrants most f whom are children. Regarding the government shutdown since October 1. There might be delays in processing SS for certain people. There are also threats t head start programs. Hospitals will not be getting their reimbursement in a timely manner.
October is 80th anniversary celebrating national rights and employments month (dream)
October 28th & 29th is a symposium . There will be a job fair and a resources fair as well as an assistive technology fair. OPWDD is sharing two videos to share the talent of our individuals.
RFA for Regional disability health clinics to address health equity. A common theme is people are left behind when it comes to people with developmental disabilities. There is a 25 million dollar RFA proposal . The deadline for submissions are due November 5th. Article 28 and 16 , rural clinics and free standing hospitals to improve access and physical health care and quality. Improving dental care as well.
Strategic planning forum. Region 4 in Brooklyn had an in person forum in the summer.
Cas and Cans the agency has more recently has launched information sessions. There are two sessions today and there will be more in the future.
Capacity management which should streamline registration. This is currently for Care managers. Stage 2 and 3 will be for the families.
Contessa Officer has joined region 4. Her physical office is in Manhattan and she covers the Bronx as well.
IV. Reyana Mckenzie, DOMHM
- Contact Reyana Mckenzie, rmckenzie@health.nyc.gov
- No updates this month
V. IAC Report – Mary Knox
Day 21 of the government shutdown.
Today at 11AM is a webinar about the snap program. This webinar is to help people with Developmental disabilities and their families
Education services
4% was finally passed for early childhood education
October 5th the governor extended executive order to give the covid vaccine for whoever wants it. No prescription necessary.
Only Tele Health service allowed o be provided in behaviour health.
ADM addressing the staff action plans related to reshab. Lightening the QIDP requirements. however the QIDP should have a 4 year degree.
Informational memo will be released shorty which will require providers to share ombudsmen program in the 633 regulations which pertain to rights and responsibilities.
June 10th and 11th will be IAC conference at UJA.
VI. Committee Reports:
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co-Chairs: Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council
Presentation on dental care live from 7-9 pm Tuesdays December 2nd.
Strategies to maintain and give great dental care. She will touch on everything dental.
Day to Day management to keep things controlled.
Transition Committee: Co-Chairs: Andrew Harris and Pat Liu Chang
Last meeting was October 8th. Finding the right program for your child . We had 45 people attend
December 10th next meeting in person please come!
Topic NY connect to present their services.
Please email Mary & Jackie Manhattanfamilyadvisory@gmail.com OR Andrew & Pat Liu at AHarris27@schools.nyc.gov
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:
Andrew Harris, P138M, aharris27@schools.nyc.gov
Pat Liu Chang, GHO, pat@ghoinc.org
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Mainawatie Singh
We are gearing up for this year. Please let us know if you have any ideas for meetings.
New Business
Dues support advocacy, events, website, and council operations.
Membership Dues Reinstated (providers only):
$150 for July 2025 – June 2026.
Benefits include website listing, event promotion, and discounted rates for the Family Support Fair.