Long Island Family Support Services
Advisory Council
Minutes
December 8, 2011
Greetings and Introductions
Board Members Present: Mary Fasano, Kathy Callahan,
Elise Perlin, Cathy Aziz, Geri Athenas, Roy Probeyahn,
Colleen Kunkel, Conrad Bergmann, Tootsie Ripp, Joann Ripp,
Barbara Squillacioti and Bob Policastro
Guests: Allison Giangregoria and Eileen DiSilvio
Excused: Judy Greenberg, Craig Marcott, Terri Manzione and
Mike Buffa
Staff Present: Gerry Huber, Bob Lopez, Terri Finnegan, Linda
Ciaravella and Margaret Standicky
Approval of Minutes: Cathy Callahan voted to approve the
minutes from October 2011. Tootsie Ripp seconded.
Correspondence: Per report from Geri Athenas, 132 Consumer Satisfaction Surveys were received, including 5 returned envelopes
from AHRC Nassau. Bais Ezra note regarding inconsiderate staff
that should be addressed. A nice compliment about FEGS from
someone who was helping a homeless person.
Chairman's Report: Mary deferred to Gerry Huber and congratulated
him on his promotion to Deputy Commissioner of OPWDD in charge
of Person Centered Support. Gerry immediately told us about his
meeting with the Federal Center on Medicaid Services. He stated
that we have two months to respond to them and now we will
probably not be able to jump start the waiver by April. CMS is
concerned that 40 percent of funding goes to New York. The rate
of payment is $5,000 a day for large ICF’s. Fifty percent is federal
money and not even applied to OPWDD. We will not be able to
maintain this upper payment limit. Even though the Feds had full
knowledge on how this funding was being used, we will not be able
to maintain this funding on the ICF’s. He stated that the NY Times
articles have made a difference on how the CMS is viewing these
meetings. Also the Poughkeepsie Journal articles of last year have
also made a difference in the funding meetings.
Gerry then spoke about his new position with three highlighted areas.
1. The need to triple the amount of people moving into community
based programs next year.
2. Home of your choice—needs to reduce institutional settings and
IRAs.
3. Community of choice placing people in less supervised settings
will be a goal for next year. Gerry does have planned meetings with
the Commissioner, in December.
There was a discussion regarding Forensic housing. This is for
individuals with intensive behavioral issues and a criminal history.
The cost for these individuals is prohibitive. Roy spoke about retaining
SRUs for this population and that we have 50 percent less facilities
for dually diagnosed people that any place else. The money needs to
be channeled properly.
Gerry then spoke about the RFI. There have been a lot of responses
mostly from parents and the big fear is continuity of services. Another
concern is the amount of high school graduates each year seeking
services and individuals residing out of state. Long Island represents
40 percent of the state’s population in this area.
He spoke about the managed care concept and from his experience
it only works if you have no waiting list. Currently there is a statewide
list of 10,000 waiting for residential placement. The State is setting up
a Waiver Board from each District. This Board will meet regularly via
video conferencing and then disseminate the correct information
forward. Our group will recommend members for the board.
Bob Lopez is the interim director and there will be a reception for
Gerry on January 6 at 2pm here.
Committee Reports:
Family Support Services: Terri Finnegan spoke and said that
there were 356 graduates to date - 207 from Suffolk and 149 from
Nassau. There is an RFP going out for residential students aging
out.
Statewide Council: Mary Fasano stated there was nothing new
to report. There is a meeting next week. She did say that Parent
to Parent sent out a copy of legislation that she passed around
regarding school transportation that is currently in the Assembly.
Mary thanked everyone especially the LIDDSO staff for a great
showing and hard work on the Breakfast. Next year will be our
20th year for the Breakfast.
Legislative Breakfast: Elise Perlin will have the final totals next
month. There were 570 attendees.
Long Island Task Force On Aging Out: Roy Probeyahn stated
that the next meeting will be 2/10 here at 11 am. It is the Task
Force’s 20th year also. Roy also asked Gerry to speak to the State
Ed Department regarding Diplomas. If the goal is employment of
our people, we cannot accomplish that without a diploma.
The State is working is a very different direction than OPWDD.
Self Advocacy: Joann Ripp was on the Dr. Oz show and missed
her meeting. However, she did get a photo op. with Dr. Oz and
had a great time on the show.
Web Site Updates: Cathy Aziz advised there were over 400 hits
again this month. The grant pages have been all updated. We
have new pages for respite. The Westchester FSSAC called and
asked Cathy for her support on how to create a similar website.
Old Business: None
New Business: The group presented Roy with a garden stone
in memory of his beloved wife, Arleen. Colleen had a suggestion
that we put the revised (when it is done) universal application
on our website. She is involved in the Long Island Network of
Agencies that has recently been reestablished. Also Conrad asked
that we have the Commissioner’s power point available. Terri will
forward the link to Cathy.
Calander: Next meeting – Jan 19, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Oser Ave.
Adjournment: Conrad Bergmann moved to adjourn, Geri Athena
seconded.
Board Members Present: Mary Fasano, Kathy Callahan,
Elise Perlin, Cathy Aziz, Geri Athenas, Roy Probeyahn,
Colleen Kunkel, Conrad Bergmann, Tootsie Ripp, Joann Ripp,
Barbara Squillacioti and Bob Policastro
Guests: Allison Giangregoria and Eileen DiSilvio
Excused: Judy Greenberg, Craig Marcott, Terri Manzione and
Mike Buffa
Staff Present: Gerry Huber, Bob Lopez, Terri Finnegan, Linda
Ciaravella and Margaret Standicky
Approval of Minutes: Cathy Callahan voted to approve the
minutes from October 2011. Tootsie Ripp seconded.
Correspondence: Per report from Geri Athenas, 132 Consumer Satisfaction Surveys were received, including 5 returned envelopes
from AHRC Nassau. Bais Ezra note regarding inconsiderate staff
that should be addressed. A nice compliment about FEGS from
someone who was helping a homeless person.
Chairman's Report: Mary deferred to Gerry Huber and congratulated
him on his promotion to Deputy Commissioner of OPWDD in charge
of Person Centered Support. Gerry immediately told us about his
meeting with the Federal Center on Medicaid Services. He stated
that we have two months to respond to them and now we will
probably not be able to jump start the waiver by April. CMS is
concerned that 40 percent of funding goes to New York. The rate
of payment is $5,000 a day for large ICF’s. Fifty percent is federal
money and not even applied to OPWDD. We will not be able to
maintain this upper payment limit. Even though the Feds had full
knowledge on how this funding was being used, we will not be able
to maintain this funding on the ICF’s. He stated that the NY Times
articles have made a difference on how the CMS is viewing these
meetings. Also the Poughkeepsie Journal articles of last year have
also made a difference in the funding meetings.
Gerry then spoke about his new position with three highlighted areas.
1. The need to triple the amount of people moving into community
based programs next year.
2. Home of your choice—needs to reduce institutional settings and
IRAs.
3. Community of choice placing people in less supervised settings
will be a goal for next year. Gerry does have planned meetings with
the Commissioner, in December.
There was a discussion regarding Forensic housing. This is for
individuals with intensive behavioral issues and a criminal history.
The cost for these individuals is prohibitive. Roy spoke about retaining
SRUs for this population and that we have 50 percent less facilities
for dually diagnosed people that any place else. The money needs to
be channeled properly.
Gerry then spoke about the RFI. There have been a lot of responses
mostly from parents and the big fear is continuity of services. Another
concern is the amount of high school graduates each year seeking
services and individuals residing out of state. Long Island represents
40 percent of the state’s population in this area.
He spoke about the managed care concept and from his experience
it only works if you have no waiting list. Currently there is a statewide
list of 10,000 waiting for residential placement. The State is setting up
a Waiver Board from each District. This Board will meet regularly via
video conferencing and then disseminate the correct information
forward. Our group will recommend members for the board.
Bob Lopez is the interim director and there will be a reception for
Gerry on January 6 at 2pm here.
Committee Reports:
Family Support Services: Terri Finnegan spoke and said that
there were 356 graduates to date - 207 from Suffolk and 149 from
Nassau. There is an RFP going out for residential students aging
out.
Statewide Council: Mary Fasano stated there was nothing new
to report. There is a meeting next week. She did say that Parent
to Parent sent out a copy of legislation that she passed around
regarding school transportation that is currently in the Assembly.
Mary thanked everyone especially the LIDDSO staff for a great
showing and hard work on the Breakfast. Next year will be our
20th year for the Breakfast.
Legislative Breakfast: Elise Perlin will have the final totals next
month. There were 570 attendees.
Long Island Task Force On Aging Out: Roy Probeyahn stated
that the next meeting will be 2/10 here at 11 am. It is the Task
Force’s 20th year also. Roy also asked Gerry to speak to the State
Ed Department regarding Diplomas. If the goal is employment of
our people, we cannot accomplish that without a diploma.
The State is working is a very different direction than OPWDD.
Self Advocacy: Joann Ripp was on the Dr. Oz show and missed
her meeting. However, she did get a photo op. with Dr. Oz and
had a great time on the show.
Web Site Updates: Cathy Aziz advised there were over 400 hits
again this month. The grant pages have been all updated. We
have new pages for respite. The Westchester FSSAC called and
asked Cathy for her support on how to create a similar website.
Old Business: None
New Business: The group presented Roy with a garden stone
in memory of his beloved wife, Arleen. Colleen had a suggestion
that we put the revised (when it is done) universal application
on our website. She is involved in the Long Island Network of
Agencies that has recently been reestablished. Also Conrad asked
that we have the Commissioner’s power point available. Terri will
forward the link to Cathy.
Calander: Next meeting – Jan 19, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Oser Ave.
Adjournment: Conrad Bergmann moved to adjourn, Geri Athena
seconded.