Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
September 20, 2022
I. Introductions Plans are being discussed to transition into a hybrid meeting. The challenges are finding space and technology to be able to handle the new format. We will reassess after October and back to school to make sure there is no uptick. Hope to transition by the end of the calendar year. If you have space available please let us know. II. Minutes The June 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
Manhattan DDcouncil@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 via zoom and we appreciate everyone who participates
ADAPT Community Network – formerly UCP of New York City
Please contact ADAPT Community Network’s Project Connect at 877-827-2666 or projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org. We have openings in Family Reimbursement, Com. Hab, Home Modifications(not in Manhattan), ISS, Housing Assistance Services. We are offering telehealth services via Station MD and Day Hab Admissions is running virtually. contact mhwang@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or 718-594-7374 or Kliebman@adaptcommunitynetwork.org
Contact projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or call 877-827-2666.
Ohel Bais Ezra
Family reimbursement funds available Manhattan and Queens
Call 718-686-3451 or email Communityservices@ohelfamily.org
YAI
Funds still available for emergency respite.
Travel Training workshops for staff, parents and caregivers. In the workshop, we will discuss the Travel Training program in detail, including the stages of training and pre-service documentation. Please feel free to email TravelTraining@yai.org.
All inquiries should be directed to YAI LINK at 212 273 6182 or link@yai.org. You can also fill out a Getting Started form to begin the screening process.
Transition to independence for people with Autism who are not waiver enrolled
Crisis Intervention
Day Habilitation
YAI Arts Day Hab without Walls
Emergency Respite Fund
Holiday Respite (ages 6 to 18)
Overnight Respite (ages 5+)
Parents with Special Needs: Program to empower parents with I/DD to strengthen parent/child interaction and enhance independence. The program focuses on goals identified by the parents to enhance their effectiveness and lead a balanced parenting lifestyle.
In-Home Behaviour Management
Social Skills (ages 9+)
You and I Social Networking Skills (ages 18+): This group offers adults the opportunity to learn social and dating skills in a structured setting.
Independent Living Skills (ages 18+): A series of 12-week group sessions, providing the opportunity for adults to learn and develop skills in a group setting. A parent/caregiver education component is also included to help families bring the information home.
NY START(CSIDD)
212-273-6300
Accepting referrals. Provide help with conflict and behavior needs.
Crisis intervention. Coordinators on call 24/7. Crisis line available
February 21st on line training.
NYLPI – looking for services for immigrants with disabilities that do not require Medicaid. NYPLI has frees services and trainings available on future planning, guardianship, and special education rights; call 212-244-4664 for information or by requesting assistance online www.nylpi.org/get-help. We also provide a resource guide every Friday https://nylpi.org/resource/special-education-remote-learning-information-contacts-resources-links/
Sinergia– Offering Service coordination and Family Reimbursement to all Boroughs. We also offer non-Medicaid Free Evaluations and case management for Manhattan residents. We have openings in our Day Habilitation program and our employment program. Please feel free to reach out Jsantana@sinergiany.org There is also Housing Advocacy available as well https://www.sinergiany.org/services/housing-assistance
Esperanza has a day hab program in Washington Heights, and funds available for transportation reimbursement for Manhattan only. 212-928-5810
GHO– We have openings in CH, DH, DHWOW, Job training/employment program, IRA, etc. We have family reimbursement money as well We will have upcoming workshops and social parents gathering virtually for Korean and Chinese speaking families. For all information inquiries, feel free to contact me at 718-307-6570 or via e-mail: dquirk@ghoinc.org.
GHO has contract with CDNY continue to assist Chinese and Korean speaking families enrolling into Care Design’s care management regardless of language barrier. Speak to Joe Tan 718-2616552 ext 2054. Workshop on April 7 at 11:00AM
The Center for Discovery. We are an OPWDD run residential facility, as well as DOE run school. We are currently accepting applications for residential placement. Please have anyone interested have their school district send the child’s referral packet to us directly. Call me with any questions 845-649-5104 or slivanos@tcfd.org. Website: www.tcfd.org. We are also working on a brand new DDPC partnership grant for restraint and seclusion reduction analysis for all of NYS. If you would like to participate please reach out to help! Opening children’s hospital in 2021.
Health Care Advocate ICAN. Please contact Lynn Decker, ldecker@cidny.org 646-442-4188. I am the designated participant advocate for enrollees in the FIDA-IDD plan with Partners Health Plan, and can assist others enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care plans.
Elmys Silvia Navas from family reimbursement we have opening for Queen and Brooklyn we are accepting applications. Please feel free and contact me at 917-324-6825 or 718-789-7539
Goodwill- opening in Harlem Dayhab without walls
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
Open the Lid– We offer Individual and Group, Web-Based Empowerment Classes that teach self-regulation, self-advocacy and communication skills in a supportive, inclusive community with neurodivergent people and allies.
Open the Lid Web -Based Empowerment Classes for any age, label or location
VIRTUAL COFFEE: HTTPS://www.openthelid.com/coffee
FREE TRIAL www.openthelid.com
EMAILsupport@openthelid.com
CALL/TEXT 607-339-8092
CARES Article 16 and Article 31 clinics– FSS Grant in Brooklyn and are able to provide free evaluations for individuals looking to obtain OPWDD eligibility. Please contact me at pratz@caresnyc.org or 212-420-1970 ext. 123
MTA Accessibility Coming Soon OMNY Reduce Fare Training Please Contact Sara Bahri Systemwide Accessibility sara.bahri@nyct.com set up date time on zoom Please Update Reduced-Fare Metro Cards Information no photo need https://new.mta.info/fares/how-to-apply-reduced-fare-metrocard need print out page only address phone and email address mail Mail to MTA Reduce Fare 130 Livingston St Brooklyn Ny 11201
Please visit the MTA website for the redesign of the new buses from the Bronx into Manhattan. New elevator in Times square.
NY foundation for seniors– Home care program is looking to talk to people who are interested in housing
Metro community health centers-4 centers available in Staten Island, Manhattan, Bronx and Manhattan dental
Lifespire has immediate openings in behavior management and parent training in Manhattan. Email Jay Kleinman at jkleinman@lifespire.org for further information or to make referrals
Anchor Health –independent from OPWDD. We service both children and adults(contact info in chat) At Anchor Health, we provide compassionate, skilled, person centered home care services to individuals and families.
Anchor’s home health aids are trained in crisis intervention, IDD and mental/medical health and are supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. Our home health aids make it possible for people to live more satisfying lives in their homes. We are Medicaid funded and are independent from OPWDD. I can be reached at 347-709-9181 or psych1325@gmail.com for assistance or inquiry.
NYSID is accepting emailed applications for reimbursement – we have funds available for goods and services reimbursement – please contact Jackie Tripodi at jtripodi@nysidinc.org or call at 929-202-1115.
III. State News –Samarwit Tadesse
- OPWDD is very involved with the strategic plan The commissioner went through the State to get feedback from the public in person and on line. OPWDD is now finalizing the 2022-2023 strategic plan. IT will be present to the Governor on November 1,2022. It will be a guidepost for the priorities and improvement.
- Agencies Continue to experience staffing crisis. OPWDD is dedicating the large portion of the American Funding ACT will be money that is majority towards DSPS.
- Covid 19 updates: non residential services do not have to report Covid to the Justice center or OPWDD. In certified programs reports are only to OPWDD directly through the IRMA system.
- OPWDD has worked with unions and has extended the overtime pay rate until November 30, 2022
- OPWDD is working with DOH to work on HCBS services.
- August 11,2022 has made changes to the AMAP and tube feeding curriculum. This ADM is effective November 2022.
- Masks are no longer required in OPWDD facilities, with the exception of specialty hospitals . Masking may still be required if an individual or staff test positive. The is a FAQ on masking masks continue to be required in OPWDD’s certified programs and facilities. OPWDD has issued a FAQ document that provides additional guidance on masking:
V. City News – Gavin Meyers
Test positivity is 9.2% cases in the last 7 days. 10964 cases per day. Cases are decreasing overall. Hospitalizations and deaths are decreasing.
If you do test positive with at home rapid test here is a number to call as you can not go to your PCP at this time.
COVID Treatment Options: People who have tested positive for COVID-19 may be able to receive outpatient treatment to help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and avoid hospitalization. Treatment usually works best if you begin it soon after you start feeling symptoms, so get tested right away.
There are two types of treatment for people with mild to moderate COVID-19:
- Monoclonal antibody treatment: A one-time IV or injection to help give you antibody protection while your body works to produce its own antibodies. This treatment is covered by Medicaid and Medicare plans at no cost. If you have private insurance, check with your provider and health plan.
- Oral antiviral pills: These pills — taken daily for five days — help stop the virus from replicating. This reduces the amount of virus in your body. The FDA has authorized two pills to treat COVID-19 — paxlovid and molnupiravir. Both of these treatments are currently free. Learn more about treatment here!
- Booster Shots
- New booster is available targeting the omicron subvariant. There is a two month period from your most recent vaccine or if you had Covid please wait 90 days.
- This booster is specifically for the Omicron variant.
- At least one vaccine booster shot is recommended for everyone 12 and older who is fully vaccinated.
- If you are eligible, you can get your booster shot two months after you received your first booster. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
- We are still operating free in home vaccines. As well as transportation if you can not get to a site.
- To find more information about the COVID-19 booster visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page
- Monkey Pox
- Currently in New York there is an outbreak. For those who are eligible you can go to a city run site to get a vaccine. If you need a second dose you need an appointment and it has to be 28 days after the first.
- For information about monkeypox, including vaccination, symptoms, or transmission please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox-vaccination.page
- To get text alerts about vaccination appointments and other monkeypox updates for NYC, text “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692 or, for Spanish, text “MONKEYPOXESP”.
VI. IAC Report –Richard
- Our CEO Tom is retiring on November 2022. October 27th is his retirement party. The new executive director will start in January
- The commissioner has a new senior advisor, Rachel Baker.
- David O’Conner who was with Care Design has gone back to OPWDD. He will be part of dispute resolution.
- OPWDD is moving forward with the conversion from CR conversions to IRA’s
- Working on an update on Data with Day Hab, what type of program are they in?
- The commissioner is reconstituting the Day program work group.
- Discussing with OPWDD about Self Direction and how to make the FI system work.
Education 853(school age) and 4410 (pre school) schools (Chris Treiber)
- September 19th was a hearing. Chris testified on behalf of IAC. DOH testified for 2 hours. After that the schools testified for 3 hours stating that they did not get paid for many years. Some schools are owed over 6 million dollars yet some schools will have to close because they have not been paid.
- 4410 is still the biggest provider to our children, however we have 800 children who will not be getting serviced.
- The11% the Governor promised is till not there. Teachers are leaving. There are 100 empty classes.
- Money parody was added, however DOE said if they want the funding they need to extend hours, which many schools may not be able to do so.
VIII Committee Reports:
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Spending quite a bit of time networking. First meeting will be on November 3rd on housing.
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-chairs: Wendy De Leon & Luisa Eusse-Roché
Thank you, Yesenia, for being the cochair this past year!
Welcome Wendy
Meetings will be alternating months with the transition committee.
We are looking for topics for next meeting in November 9th, 2022. Please reach out with any ideas.
The updated FSS directory is available on our website( ManhattanDDcouncil.org) in English, Chinese and Spanish.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
Quiet time as legislature is not in session
IAC is discussing lobbying the spring for COLA that it should be part of an operating piece of operation just like DSP raises. This should be part of NY State commitment to keep programs going. Hope this in in January budget.
After election day we will have a better idea of what will be.
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
Manhattan Transition Committee Meeting
Wednesday October 12th. Navigating Adult Services for Youth with
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
.
The meeting went well.
Next meeting is on December 14th at!0AM. about employment.
We will also have space for open discussion and networking for families, school staff, service provider agency representatives and others to discuss areas of interest and needs so we can best support youth in transition. All our welcome to join!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:
David Summers, AHRC NYC, david.summers@ahrcnyc.org
Andrew Harris, P138M, aharris27@schools.nyc.gov
New Business
Election day is 11/8/2022. Please go out and vote!