CSB DD Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes

February 8, 2013

Attendees: Patti Herrmann, Sharon Sullivan, Katie Backus, Cynthia Barnaby, Jimmy Curtin, Michelle Gillespie, Bob Goodfellow, Chris Gutowski, Tom Nelson, Paulette Purdy, Mat Roosa, Kim Shedd, Michelle Stone, Rob Myers

Services Review Report: There was no report this month.

Employment:

  • Michelle Gillespie reported on the decertification of ARC’s work site at 401 Wavel Street, last year. Employees from that site were relocated to the Wilbur Work Center. The work center contracts with companies for a variety of requests, such as assembly and packaging, which require a wide range of skill sets.
  • Due to reorganization, Laura Greenfield will no longer be the ESEMP representative. Laura has committed to attend this meeting in June, along with the new representative.

System Reform & Choice:

  • Bargaining between NYS and the Federal Government re Medicaid redesign is ongoing.
  • Mat and Katie attended the OPWDD public hearing on January 18, 2013. A common theme across all sites was the uncertainty of residential service options in the future.

OPWDD News:

  • Due to the reorganization at OPWDD, Kelly Biviano has assumed a new role. The Regional Office, formerly the DDSO will now assign staff to work in teams. Changes are ongoing and Tom will share an org chart once changes are fully implemented.
  • As the traditional role of MSC’s will also be changing, the Regional Office will be adding close to 20 additional staff. OPWDD continues to search for quality services for their consumers, and will take care to transition them from the old system into the new. While the face of services may change, consumers will still have services under the managed care system. Agenciesmay need to expand the number of MSC’s on staff. Implementation of the “Front Door” policy will begin on April 1. MSC’s will transfer in their current role, but may eventually be required to hold a four year degree.
  • The Federal Government is displeased with the current state of integrated employment in NYS. Better strategies are needed for helping consumers find work. “Pathways to Employment” is a waiver program that will assist in this process. More information will follow in the near future.
  • OPWDD uses “ZIX” for secure e-mail transmission, and will require agencies to use compatible systems in order to communicate consistently in the future. Capability to communicate with State agencies may cease if compatibility is not attained. Statewide data collection is managed in “Choices”.

County Update:

  • OCDMH is forming a group to address local strategies for dealing with the impending managed care system. If interested in joining this group, contact Mat Roosa at .
  • A handout was distributed outlining County work plan priorities. The Department will review these priorities quarterly, then continue, add or close out items as necessary. Historically, plans have been submitted to NYS on an annual basis. Annual reporting to the state will now provide a snapshot of the items currently being addressed at that time. Quarterly reviews will provide more flexibility for working on new initiatives as they present. Comments on the plan are welcomed.
  • A Reminder that contracted agencies should submit their annual report to Katie Backus, no later than March 31.
  • Katie is working on how best to measure DD programming. Questions were raised about how DD providers collect data, and about how the new managed care system will affect the DD service system.

Announcements:

  • Congratulations to Bob Goodfellow who announced he will be retiring from TLS, in late spring.
  • Sadly, Bob also reported that his predecessor, Dick Pratt, recently passed away.

Next Meeting

March 8, 2013