Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
November 16, 2021
I. Introductions were completed.
II. Minutes The May 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.
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 Behavior 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
III. State News –James Doherty
- Kerri Neifeld is the new acting commissioner for OPWDD
- New Governor Kaathy Hochul. Since she has joined she has made some changes in terms of the guidance in terms of safe practices in regards to the virus and the Delta variant.
- As well all know the is major hesitancy amongst staff to receive the Vaccine. Everyone continues to
- Funds have been allocated to OPWDD from the rescue funds. This is to used to strengthen the HCBS waiver. It’s a one time use therefore a budget has to be made as to how the funs will continue going forward. People have been able to comment on how the funds will be allocated, including the 507 plan. There is no answer as to when the funds will be allocated.
- If anyone was impacted from Hurricane Ida please email Delia Tucker and James to make sure
- 507 plan is up for review by the new commissioner.
- Housing , Day and Prevoc services, Clinical services, IT telehealth Diversity inclusion workforce and many other issues.
- There was a 2021-2022 COLA increase. OPWDD has additional opportunities to help the workforce with 554 million to workforce retention
- V. City News – Gavin Meyers
- The percentage of covid cases has decreased, however Covid Cases have increased 936 total cases over the past 28 days
- Health department in focusing on the 80.3% fully vaccinated 87.5 %first dose only
- Vaccine booster shots are now available for New Yorkers 18 years or older. No one will be denied a booster if they had the Moderna of Pfizer shot over 6 months ago or the J&J after 2 months. For the booster you can mix and match
- There is a difference between the booster and the third shot.
- Only Pfizer is available for 5-17 years old.
- The flu vaccine can be received at the same time as the Covid vaccine. You can wait but it’s good to look at both options as we go into the winter season.
- The state continues to encourage people to get vaccinated
- If you are looking for a place to get COVID testing if you need to find a location: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page
- information about vaccine incentives for those who haven’t obtained a COVID-19 vaccine: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/vaccine-incentives.page
- City is giving $100.00 for first does as well as transportation if needed
- You can also get the vaccine at home. https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-youth-sites-flyer.pdf information about the COVID vaccine for kids
- Information about the differences between boosters and 3rd doses: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccine-third-dose-vs-booster.pdf
- To schedule free transport by either ambulette or taxi (including wheelchair accessible vehicles), call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
Family state wide report-Margaret Puddington
November 1st meeting was devoted to OPWDD’s focus on Family reimbursement which is money for families who have children who live at home. This
OPWDD began a journey of issuing a guidance as to how the money should be allocated
There is a draft that is a closely held secret that they only let 5 people see this draft
Proposal: give everyone the ability to apply for $1200 per year, which would cover regular family reimbursement. As well as emergency coverage. Eg: bed bugs or a care giver in the hospital. It was also supposed to cover camp. Everyone in the meeting objected to the amount. OPWDD conceded to remove the emergemcy part of it, however it still covers camp which could wipe out the entire budget.
The smaller councils are collecting responses to be given by November 23rd in order to be ready at the December 7th meeting.
Upstate there are families that don’t have respite available and need to use the funds from family reimbursement to pay for help.
Issues that were brought up: Is the guidelines to documentation?
Does Each borough have different items that are covered?
These contracts were set up many years which identified priority needs form each Borough DD council. This was used as an advisory of what was needed and this new ADM seems to be wiping this away and taking away from the person-centered planning for individuals.
Consistency with clinical justification for issues as well.
Margaret has retired as the chairperson for the NY support (ask Margaret)
Manhattan representative will have a vote at the next FSS meeting
Role of chair will election for that as well.
VI. IAC Report –Suzanne Timmerhans
- The clinics are having trouble finding staff that can work with our population
- COVID allowances for tele health have been extended to 1/16/2022. Most places will have a 6 month extension, however the clinics will not. IAC is meeting with OPWDD today to discuss this issues
- Clinics are facing the CMS vaccine mandate that went into effect November 5th. All staff no exceptions have to be fully vaccinated. December 5th at least 1 shot. By January 4th 2 shots. This does not apply to Day Hab
- Provider association is pushing for bonus money for staff.
- 5/1 residential cut has been put on temporary hold
- Comm hab staff is very low and families are suffering. It’s hard to keep and retain staff and families need to the comm hab and respite relief
- IAC is very hopeful with the new OPWDD commissioner. IAC is already seeing a change with conversations with OPWDD. There is more transparency and discussion is opening.
- Suanne is retiring December 31 2021. We wish her the best of luck.
Education 854 and 4410 schools
- https://iacny.org/education-corner/support-tuitiion-parity
- Public schools were given 7% increase. IAC is asking for the same amount.
- IAC was hopeful that the governor would sign the increase , but it seems that the Governor is hesitating. Many events and press rally have been held to fight for the funds( tuition parody)
- Cost of school has gone up since COVID. The salary differential continues to grow. There is a huge gap between the public schools and the 854 and 4410 schools.
- You are encouraged to email the governor daily
VIII Committee Reports:
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs:
November 10th was the first meeting. The topic was the role of the Care Coordinator.
It was a very engaging and lively topic. It was a very informative meeting.
Next topic areas are Self Direction and guardianship.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
- No new local meetings scheduled
- 11/1 The assembly health committee held a meeting on Medicaid and the global cap. It doesn’t affect us directly but indirectly
- Boost Governor to sign the school parody request
- Senator Liz Krugers office are interested in speaking to families that have children enrolled in the children indemnity fund. Lack of transparency of when families can access these assets. IF you are affected call Senators Krugers office to let them know you would like to complete that survey
Manhattan FSS Advisory Council: Co Chairs Jackie Goldberg and Mary McGuire-Weafer
Jackie and Mary have been working on keeping families informed on different services available. If you have any issues with family reimbursement please reach out to Mary and Jackie
The next two meetings that will be help are:
Respite and recreation
challenging behaviour resources.
Dates TBD
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
DECEMBER 15TH @ 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Promoting successful transitions from school to adult services for youth with I/DD
Linking families, schools, provider agencies and other stakeholders
This month, come join us for a presentation and discussion on:
Residential Options for Adults with I/DD
Zoom info coming soon
Save the Date(s)! – 12/15 – Residential Options | 2/9 – Adult Services Meet & Greet | April Is Transition Month (Again!) – Various service providers presenting throughout the month | 6/15 – Self-Direction for Adult Day Services
– If you’d like to be added to our email list you can email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov and David.Summers@ahrcnyc.org
5 Boroughs DD council had a meeting on November 4th to discuss the CAS assessment. There were over 250 attending the meeting. The use of the CAS continues to move forward. The furture of how the CAS will be used in terms of rates is still being worked out and therefore there was no information on how to go forward.
New Business
If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to bring up with the new commissioner please email Kerri.E.Neifeld@opwdd.ny.gov