Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council Minutes
October 19, 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
Information is attached for service vacancies. For information about any YAI programs, please call 212-273-6182, or email link@yai.org.
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.
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
EMAIL SUPPORT@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 –Nicole Lopez
- 9/15 2021 universal mask requirement from governor Hochul. 9/16 OPWDD adapted mask requirements
- Significant vaccine hesitancy remains amongst staff. Education and availability is given to staff
- 9/4/2021 employee regulations changed and by October 12th all employees have to show
- Merican rescue act allow NY to make one time investment in home and community services. A one time 10% enhance will be given to strengthen HSBS. April 2021-March 2022. This is a one time increase. When the plan expires other funds will be needed. OPWDD asked for input on where the 10% increase should go. Know as 507 plan. The draft is posted on the OMH website
- Aug 25th 2021. CMS approved all of the proposed work force initiative
- 1. Improving the work force and addressing work force issues
- DSP work force grant
- Raises
- Expanding integrated residential services
- Expansion of the CSIDD program through the state.
- Expanded use of electronic services
- 700 mil from the rescue act. Money subject to change
- CMS plan should be coming late September early October. Announcements should be soon ARP funds)
- Diversity equity and inclusion new 5.07 plan. OPWDD committed to great equity diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Culturally competent for individuals
- Logistics and competence acts for individuals
- COVID 19 vaccine updates: distribution began in December 2020 and continues. Vaccines are available everywhere. Speak to your Care Coordinator to help. You can call the vaccines hotline as well. 18330-797-4829.
- OPWDD submitting new waiver amendment for residential habilitation providers based on the needs of the individuals.
- Lucy omazee is overseeing the front door.
- Chrystal shapre is overseeing family support
V. City News –
- 2.4 % is the current positivity rate and it’s decreasing daily.
- As of early October, among vaccinated 46 per 1000 and unvaccinated 346 of 100,00
- 77.4 % of fully vaccinated
- 88% of first does
- The state continues to encourage people to get vaccinated
- Decline of hospitalizations and death.
- Third does vs booster shot- Third does is just an additional dose who didn’t have a strong enough response to the first two doses. Immunocompromised primarily. You can get this dose 28 days after 2nd dose. This is for ages 12 and older
- The booster shot is an additional shot. You need to wait 6 months after your first shot. Currently Pfzeir is only approved but Moderna and J& J are en route for approval as son as this week.
- 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
- Ste is giving $100.oo for first does as well as transportation if needed
- You can also get the vaccine at home.
VI. IAC Report –Richard
- The money from OPWDD is not here yet but they are working on it. With so many staff cuts higher needs and person centered planning has not been ideal
- The only mandate the OPWDD has issued is in one faculty down state. It is a specialty hospital(Arch Care)
Education 854 and 4410 schools
- Worst crisis ever. The board of Education is paying substitutes $200.00 per day.
- Many schools are speaking about shutting their doors.
- The bus driver shortage is also affecting the kids. Packed busses, longer routes
- The governor has been urged to sign a parody bill which will raise the salaries of our schools. Have staff be paid the same at the department of Education.
- MY state has not done well in meeting the standards of the schools. President Biden wants to hear where the schools are failing. There are 17 indicators. You can register by October 24th to let the President know what the issues are.
VIII Committee Reports:
Family & Provider Information Committee: Co-Chairs:
November 10th will be the first meeting. Topic and Zoom link will be sent ASAP.
Legislative Committee: Co-ChairsJim Malley & Lynn Decker
Hearing on Wednesday (live) Joint disabilities about employment for people with disabilities at 10:00AM. It is not only for IDD .
There will be a rally outside of the capital beforehand.
Still waiting for the 507 plan
Discussion regarding Legislative breakfast in spring-how should we proceed?
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. Continue to work with transition committee on opportunities. Working on planning for programs for next year
Jackie has self direction for her son and Mary utilises traditional services. They are able to work together and work well
October 27th Self care for the care giver
Next meeting about family reimbursement.
Transition meeting Co Chairs – Andrew Harris and David summers
Last week had a meeting on an overview of the eligibility process.
The session was recoded if you would like a copy
The next meeting will be Wednesday December, 8th which will speak on residential options.
– If you’d like to be added to our email list you can email aharris27@schools.nyc.gov and David.Summers@ahrcnyc.org
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