Long Island Family Support Services
Advisory Council
Minutes
December 14, 2009
Advisory Council
Minutes
December 14, 2009
Board Members Present: Roy Probeyahn, Elise Perlin, Kathy Callahan, Kathleen Quinn, Valerie DeClara, Judy Greenberg, Bob Policastro, Mary Fasano, Cathy Aziz
Staff Present: Bob Lopez, Terri Finnegan, Linda Ciravella
Excused: Mike Buffa, Colleen Kunkel, Joanne Ripp, Tootsie Ripp, Barbara Squiliciotti.
This meeting was scheduled to include a video conference with James Moran,
Associate Deputy Commissioner of OMRDD. While waiting for the technical
issues to be ironed out, we began our meeting.
Minutes of November 23, 2009 were approved and seconded.
Correspondence: Valerie circulated Satisfaction Surveys that were received in the mail.
Committee Reports: RFP - information session was held on November 24. 80 people attended. Proposals are due on December 31, 2009.
Statewide Council - meeting is scheduled as a video conference on Thursday,
December 17 from 10:30 to 3:30.
By Laws - no report
Self Advocates - no report
Aging Out Task Force - Legislative Brunch scheduled for Friday, February 12 at 11:00 am at Oser Ave.
Video conference with Commissioner Moran began. Introductions were made. Comm. Moran gave an overview of the Deficit Reduction Plan. OMRDD had to reduce its budget by $65 million. A reduction of $64 million was achieved without impacting current services or development. The budget reduction announced by the Governor on December 13 are not expected to have an impact on OMRDD. There is serious concern regarding the budget for the coming year. There are great expectations for increased efficiencies on the part of OMRDD. What that will translate into is unknown at this point.
The Governor’s budget is due in about five weeks. Advocacy by families on behalf of the people served by OMRDD remains critical. The advocacy that took place this fall is a major factor in containing the reductions at OMRDD. The
agency is strongly advocating for a trend factor for the private non-profit sector
workers, in next year’s budget, who did not receive one this year.
As of this date, the new Family Support money appears to be secure.
Medicaid and School Aid are the major components of the state’s budget. In regard to Medicaid, OMRDD is working with the agencies to minimize the effect of any cuts that we might face. Services must be provided efficiently and effectively.
The budget problem is a multi year problem. The situation might take longer to correct than situations in other parts of the country because our budget and revenues are overly dependent upon a sharp up turn on Wall Street.
Mr. Moran discussed Day Treatment Services. OMRDD is looking at Day
Habilitation in order to determine if people are being served in the best way possible to meet their individual needs. Discussion followed regarding services other than traditional Day Hab. Several people expressed their desire for services that are more integrated in the home communities of the people served by OMRDD.
Discussion ensued regarding the role of school districts in preparing students
for the transition to adult programs. Consensus was that school districts need to do more in this area.
Discussion followed regarding bundling day services in a different configuration. Question was asked whether Medicaid regulations impede flexibility. Mr. Moran stated that there is a workable amount of flexibility in Medicaid but we need to be more creative in our approach. He also said that OMRDD is looking to ease the paper work burden connected with Medicaid. Electronic reporting is being explored as one means of easing this burden.
The members thanked Mr. Moran for his informative and forthright presentation.
Our meeting continued:
Website Update: Cathy Aziz gave a report on the website. She is working with the webmaster on ways to upgrade our system, with a small increase in monthly fee.
Chairman’s Report: Roy reported on the administrative changes taking place in OMRDD. The retirement of Kathy Broderick is a palpable loss to all. We wish her well. Her replacement is Jill Gentile.
Roy also discussed the issues being considered at the LIDDSO -
Allocation Committee: Supported Employment, Housing Opportunities, etc.
Family Support Services: Staff reported that the RFP process is well underway. The LIDDSO continues to work with school districts on transition issues. Informational meetings are held every three months at the DDSO. The DDSO wants to get an accurate number for those people who would like to have blended day programs.
Old Business: The Legislative Breakfast was discussed. Elise pointed out that the seating arrangements were a problem. The members congratulated Elise on a job well done. She, in turn, thanked the members for their help. In particular, she thanked Valerie DeClara. Judy Greenberg reported that she is still chasing after some of the money from some agencies.
Before meeting was adjourned, note was made that we need to change the date scheduled for our June meeting because it conflicts with an informational meeting at the DDSO.
Next meeting – January 19, 2010, 7:30 pm at Oser Avenue