Click here for a .pdf version of the Advocacy News below

All the Summer Advocacy News AND Recaps of Recent Events

Good Morning All,

Although summer is a time for lazy, hazy days of relaxing, sun and fun, we at NYC FAIR have been keeping up the HEAT these past couple months meeting with people who have a strong history with OPWDD and knowledge base that is helping us formulate a multi-pronged advocacy plan which will make us effective advocates in the coming months.

There is no vacation from advocacy and we are committed to keeping up to date on all changes and happenings in the OPWDD world so we can gear up for our Fall Advocacy efforts. That’s where you all come in. We will need all self- advocates, parents and family members to make their voice be heard. We’ll be calling on you shortly.

Included in this email: an update on scheduling of “listening sessions” for the Transformation Panel, a recap of the Town Hall meeting on Staten Island with Acting Commissioner Delaney, a review of pending Legislative Issues, a recap of the May 19th “Meet the Transformation Panel” meeting and details of the June 2nd “Knowledge is Power” meeting. Coming in August: Action Opportunities: for Everyone.

Summer News:

From Peter Pierri, Executive President of IAC on July 22nd:
“Latest word is OPWDD’s “listening sessions” are being planned for September. Scheduling logistics got in the way of them happening earlier. The Panel’s work schedule has also been extended time-wise, so these session will definitely occur prior to the Panel’s formation of specific recommendations.”  Confirmed in OPWDD’s “People First News Summer 2015 See page 8 

Town Hall Meeting on Staten Island:
On July 13th, 2015 SIDD Council hosted a “Town Hall” meeting with OPWDD Acting Commissioner Kerry Delaney. The conference room at IBR (NYS Institute for Basic Research) was standing room only ( 220+ people) for an hour-long lunch time meeting in the middle of the summer. Families and self-advocates came from all boroughs for this unique opportunity. Pointed questions regarding the transformation agenda, the future of OPWDD and the lack of residential development and a clear plan to address this growing need were asked.

Assemblyman Michael Cusick and other local representatives attended  as well as reps from the City Comptroller’s and the Governors office were present. Because many questions and concerns remain, the acting-Commissioner agreed to attend another Town Hall meeting in the evening in September (TBA).

Residential Wait List:
Important Notice –  Remember the New York State Cares Wait List?  OPWDD will be updating this Residential List by calling all families who have a person on the list, survey their current residential situation, and identify future needs. There are over 11,000 people who will be called. OPWDD will be using trained staff from the Office of Children and Family Services for this effort. Prior to the calls taking place, you should expect a letter in the mail giving you an overview of this endeavor. If you are called, we strongly encourage you to participate in the survey. It will help provide our governor with real numbers in terms of need. In this years state budget, the legislature has mandated OPWDD to provide a report of its statewide review of individuals with Developmental Disabilities who are currently on its residential waiting list. This report must include an update on its transformational housing goals and develop a plan in consultation with families, individuals with DD and other stakeholders to increase housing alternatives for individuals with DD, including those not currently on the residential list. The phone calls will begin in August and continue through to September. The report to the legislature must be released by February 15, 2016.

Legislative Update as of July 13:
These bills will be sent to the Governor – to sign or veto:

• Legislation passed both houses ensuring that long term care under managed care are non-profits.
• A bill that enables families that set up accounts with ID/DD (the ABLE Act) will not interfere with eligibility for Medicaid or Social Security
• A bill allowing school psychologists to continue to perform evaluations on prospective pre-school children.
• A bill to restore the cut to the Article 16 clinics . Article 16 clinics provide medical and speciality services (ie: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry and more).

Issues before the Assembly and Senate:
Guardianship changes – different types of limited guardianship including time limited (e.g. for a month), single issue (e.g. buying a house) or a single area (e.g. financial or healthcare decisions)
Guardians will have to report yearly to OPWDD. The process for an uncontested guardianship (for people with ID/DD) would be streamlined to eliminate the need for physicians certifications, MHLS (Mental Hygiene Legal Services) would make that determination.  This bill is being looked at by many stakeholder groups to make sure it satisfies a variety of situations.
Minimum wage for DSP’s: On July 22nd, 2015 the Fast Food Wage Board approved resolutions to incrementally increase the minimum wage for fast food workers to $15.per hour.  Many social service organizations including agencies that work with people with ID/DD are concerned about the effect on the work force in our field. A bill was introduced that would require that the State provide funds to providers to increase salaries of the DSPS. Click here for more clarification and details from NYSARC

Recap of NYC FAIR’s  May and June Meetings:

Meet the Transformation Panel:
On May 19, 2015 NYC FAIR hosted a meeting at IAC  with members of the Transformation Panel.  Panelist present  were Michael Seerighter, NYSRA, Susan Constantino, CP of NY State, Peter Pierri, Exec. Director of IAC, Steve Freeman, Freeman and Abelson Consulting, Neil Mitchell, Exec. Assist. to Kerry Delaney. 

Members of the NYC FAIR’s Executive Committee introduced themselves and opened the meeting. They presented a paper of remarks and comments that had been created about the current work of the Panel touching on the subjects they had addressed to date: Employment, Residential, Day Habilitation, Self Direction, and the Front Door among other things

The Panel Members responded to the comments and then the floor was opened to questions from the attendees.

The remarks and meeting minutes can be seen here. May 19th, 2015 Meet the Transformation Panel Meeting

In conclusion the Panel Members promised that they would bring back to the whole committee what they had heard and recommend that the listening sessions with family members around the state would take place BEFORE recommendations were made in order to be sure to include input from Family Members about their plans. They also suggested that they would welcome any other input.
Read more about the Transformation Panel.

Click here to read and or write an email today: OPWDD Transformation Panel

Knowledge IS Power:
NYC FAIR hosted a meeting for parents with children in the Education System at Sinergia on June 2nd, 2015.

Spanish translation was available.

Paolo Jordan, Lori Podvesker, and Melanie Rivera who are all parents with young children in the “system” spoke about their experiences with the Department of Education fighting to get their children the right education. In addition they presented material about recreation, respite, and other family support services. Afterwards they met individuals with specific questions and made recommendations to them about a way forward.

Coming in August:  What Keeps Me Up at Night?
What our families need to survive. Ways to to tell our stories and get them to the people who can help us.