June 16,
2005
NYSRA ReSource
For Perspective and Analysis
The Source of information for
providers of community-based services for people of differing abilities.
NYSRA
Update
Good Medicaid in New York
At
the last week’s Executive Management Institute, NYSRA members heard Jeff
Crowley Project Director of Georgetown University’s Health Police Institute
provide a current update on Medicaid and Medicare reform and Medicare
initiatives at the federal level.
Highlights of his presentation included: a proposed $10 billion cut, to
the Medicaid Budget; appointed Commissions that no one seems to want to serve
on; and an emphasis towards cost cuts to long term care and hospitals giving
community rehabilitation providers serving and supporting people with
disabilities a potential false positive feeling that all is safe. Ultimately it comes down to putting names
and faces and their stories together for our New York leaders – the House
Republicans and our own Governor. Access to Medications under the Medicare part
D changes are also a concern for dual eligibles.
Al
Kaplan Deputy Director of the Division of Budget then spoke. He shared the facts and the Governor’s
concerns but went on to share how New York was already working to implement
cost containment initiatives which like the details from Washington, again was
focused mainly on long term and hospital care.
The key said Kaplan is “to manage care for New Yorkers better.”
This
being said, the disability service system may be under the radar but not off
the radar screen of Washington reformists.
A collaborative panel discussion in Saratoga including representatives
from NYSARC, NYSCCBH and a family/consumer advocate closed the day by urging
NYSRA members to spend time this summer inviting your federal Senators and House
Representatives to visit your agencies and see “good Medicaid” at work. These public officials are in their home
districts in late August and need to better understand how Medicaid funds are
spent in their districts. We can teach them by demonstrating how the Medicaid
funds New York receives are well spent and provides the supports and services
that allows New Yorkers with disabilities to live independent lives.
Below
are excerpts of interest from an article by Marnie Eisenstadt, Staff writer,
Syracuse Post Standard
•
New York’s Medicaid program spends an average of $7,609 per enrollee, more than
any other state, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on
Medicaid and the uninsured.
•
New York covers a wider range of people, offers more services and pays higher
reimbursement rates than most other states, according to information from the
same commission and analysts who study Medicaid. It spends more on long-term
care than any other state.
•
County executives from around the state have been fighting to keep more of
their money (taxes) from ending up in Medicaid. They had some success this year, when the Legislature enacted a
3.5 percent cap on local Medicaid increases.
•
While the overall health of a state is difficult to measure, one study found
that New Yorkers on Medicaid are happier with their care than those served by
Medicaid in California, the second largest state user of Medicaid funds.
•
Barbara Lyons, deputy director of the Washington, D.C.-based Kaiser commission,
said New York is ahead of other states when it comes to helping people obtain
the long term care they need at home and in day programs instead of at nursing
homes and hospitals. She said it saves
money in the long run.
News
from State Agencies/NYSRA Advocacy
Timothy’s
Law Supporters Offer Cost Compromise
In a
flurry of the final weeks’ activity of the NYS Legislative session advocates
have demonstrated a collaborative push in the press to see Timothy’s Law
passed. In addition supporters of
Timothy’s Law, a bill to mandate mental health care coverage in New York, have
changed their legislation to make it more favorable to small businesses.
The
intent of Timothy’s Law, supporters say, is to require health insurance
companies to allow the same amount of care for mental illness as they do for
physical illness. The bill, though it has major party sponsors in each house,
has languished for years in the legislature. Now, two weeks before the
legislative session is to end, backers say they’ve offered a compromise that
they hope will be more palatable to some business groups who complain the law
would be too expensive.
The
new version would exempt businesses with 50 employers or fewer from having to
provide the mental health care coverage. Employers with 50 or more workers
would be required to provide mental health benefits equal to physical health
benefits. Paige McDonald, one of the coalition’s founders, says the change
offers less coverage to some New Yorkers, but may be the only way to see the
law passed anytime soon.
The
bill would also require state government to set aside $1 million dollars to
create a fund to provide safety net mental health coverage, making it available
to employees of small businesses without adequate coverage. After the first year, this safety net pool
of funding would be covered by a half a cent surcharge on monthly premiums.
‘Aging Concerns Unite Us’ Celebrates Ten Years
On June 1 NYSRA joined as a partner in planning the New York
State Office for the Aging, NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging, AARP,
Elder Network of the Capital Region, Governors’ Advisory Committee on Aging,
NYS Aging Services Advisory Committee, NYS Coalition for the Aging and the NYS
Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs to celebrate the 10th
Anniversary of the “Aging Concerns Unite Us” Conference.
The theme “Meeting the Challenges of an Aging Society:
Building Tomorrow Today” was carried through over 30 presentations to an
audience of over 400 people from all types of programs that serve elders and
included the seniors themselves. A highlight of the two day program was the
opening ceremonies honoring Assemblyman Englebright and Senator Golden as
Visionaries. Neal Lane was recognized on his most recent appointment by the
Governor as Director of the NYS Office of the Aging.
NYSRA is proud to be a partner at such an important table of
organizations that work to bring the supports and services to seniors with all
levels of abilities. If any NYSRA members might be interested in presenting at
this Conference for 2006 please contact Pat Dowse at pat@nyrehab.org and we will work to have
more disability services represented.
Federal
Update
Coordinating
Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM)
Unveils
Report to the President
U.S.
Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, Chair of the Federal Interagency
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), announced the release of a
report to the White House on Human Service Transportation Coordination. The
unveiling took place at the annual Community Transportation Association of
America (CTAA) Expo.
Prepared
by the CCAM in response to an Executive Order by the President, the report
outlines what it takes to coordinate human service transportation in order to
meet fundamental needs, CCAM member’s action plans, and five broad
recommendations. CCAM is composed of ten Cabinet-level members from the U.S.
Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Education, Labor,
Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Interior,
Justice, as well as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, and
the Chair of the National Council on Disability.
The
Council’s recommendations outline targets to strengthen existing transportation
services to be more cost-effective and accountable, and to help providers be
more responsive to people with disabilities, lower incomes, and older
adults. The recommendations address 1) Coordinated transportation
planning; 2) Vehicle sharing policies; 3) Cost allocation between agencies; 4)
Mechanisms for reporting and evaluation; and 5) A consolidated access
transportation demonstration program.
For
a full copy of the report, visit www.unitedweride.gov.
Social
Security Launches Series of
Nationwide Events to Give Individuals with Disabilities a Ticket to Work
On
June 6 Social Security Associate Commissioner Sue Suter joined Elizabeth, New
Jersey officials to launch a series of 10 nationwide employment Conferences and
Expos designed to link beneficiaries with disabilities to organizations and
programs that can help them navigate the employment process. Coordinated as part of the Ticket to Work
program, the Conference and Expos are educational employment career events from
Social Security specifically created for individuals with disabilities.
The
free one-day Expo, touring cities this summer, features classes taught by
Social Security representatives, including benefits assessment and counseling,
educational sessions on career counseling, interview skills and resume building
from experts at Monster.com, and how to navigate the Ticket to Work program; a
panel discussion with Q&A on interview strategies that are specific to the
Americans with Disability Act (ADA); and interaction with potential local
employers. Tom Sullivan, an actor, singer, entertainer, author, and
producer who was born blind, delivered a special motivational keynote
highlighting his personal experiences which include being an Olympic- class
wrestler, avid snow skier, and marathon runner.
The
2005 series of Ticket to Work Conference and Expos will visit 10 cities across
the United States over the next four months, beginning June 6, 2005 in
Elizabeth, NJ. Conferences and Expos will also be held in Billings, MT; Biloxi,
MS; Burlington, VT; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego,
CA; Seattle, WA; and St. Paul, MN. Key participants include: Allstate
Insurance Company, America Online, Ben & Jerry’s, Cingular Wireless,
Continental Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, IBM, IDX, JP Morgan, Major League Baseball,
Microsoft, Monster.com, New Mobility Magazine, Pathmark, and Prudential
Financial.
For more information on
the Ticket to Work Conference and Expos, please visit www.tickettoworkexpos.com or
call 1-800-669-0502 to attend a future event.
Announcements/Opportunities
Join the National Conference Call to Discuss
the Panel
on the Nonprofit Sector’s June Report
Diana Aviv, Executive Director, Panel on the Nonprofit
Sector and President and CEO, INDEPENDENT SECTOR invites nonprofits to join her
on Friday, June 24 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm EST. to receive an update on the work
of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector by dialing in.
Earlier that week, the Panel will present to the leaders of
the Senate Finance Committee comprehensive recommendations for legislative and
voluntary actions designed to strengthen the governance, ethics, and
accountability of charitable organizations. This new report, which will
incorporate recommendations from March’s Interim Report, will also be posted on
the Panel’s website, www.NonprofitPanel.org.
Please watch for a follow-up email with details about the release of the
report.
The June 24 national conference call, to be chaired by Panel
co-conveners Paul Brest and Cass Wheeler, will feature Panel members discussing
the recommendations, responding to questions, and explaining their next steps.
The Panel will continue to meet through the summer so it can complete its
consideration of the issues put forth during the eight months of its work thus
far.
The call is open to
all staff, volunteers, and board members of public charities, private
foundations and corporate philanthropy programs. To register to participate, receive call-in instructions or
submit a question, visit www.nonprofitpanel.org/ncc/junecall.
Did you know?
Where to Find Your
State Medicaid Plan
A common question
now is where can one get information about state Medicaid plans. Your
state Medicaid agency will have the most up-to-date documents, but you can also
find the state plans at www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/stateplans.
National Governors Association Invites Applicants for Policy Academy
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices invites
states to apply for its upcoming Policy Academy on Improving Outcomes for Young
Adults with Disabilities ages 14-30, to be held October 5-7, 2005. The academy
will provide teams of leaders from six states an opportunity to identify
weaknesses in their state¹s policies and practices and to develop and begin
implementing realistic strategies for improvement. Application deadline: July
1, 2005. For more information contact Lindsay Woolsey at 202-624-5366 or
lwoolsey@nga.org. www.usu.edu/mprrc/curproj/sectrans/nga.cfm
IDEA Public Meetings Nationwide
John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, is pleased to
announce a series of public meetings to be held during calendar year 2005 to
receive comments on the proposed rules to implement programs under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. These meetings
will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m. & 5:00-7:00 p.m. in various locations
around the country. June 17, 2005: Nashville, TN June 22, 2005: Sacramento, CA
June 24, 2005: Las Vegas, NV June 27, 2005: New York, NY June 29, 2005:
Chicago, IL July 7, 2005: San Antonio, TX July 12, 2005: Washington, DC www.ed.gov/print/about/offices/list/osers/osep/idea/public-meetings.html
Fun and Leisure: Summer Camps 2005 (Online Directory)
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability Web site provides
published camp guides and online camp search engines to assist individuals in
finding the camp that fits their interests, needs, and goals. The individual
camps listed are only a sample of what is offered across the country for adults
and children with disabilities. The camps range from day to overnight camps and
offer various opportunities from sports to arts and crafts.
www.ncpad.org/funfact_sheet.php?sheet=88&view=all
The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook
for Youth with Disabilities (2005) (Workbook)
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for
Youth has produced ³The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with
Disabilities² designed for youth and adults working with them to learn about
disability disclosure. This workbook (available in PDF and MS Word) helps young
people make informed decisions about whether or not to disclose their
disability and understand how those decisions may impact their education,
employment, and social lives. Based on the premise that disclosure is a very
personal decision, the Workbook helps young people think about and practice
disclosing their disability. www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/411.html
Eli Lilly and Company Seeks Nominations and
Applications for Reintegration Awards
The Reintegration Awards, sponsored by Eli Lilly and
Company, recognize (1) individuals and groups who support people living with
severe mental illness;
(2) the achievements of people living with severe mental
illness; and (3) local and national efforts to improve services to people with
mental illness and to decrease the stigma of mental illness. Individuals,
caregivers, advocates, social workers, policymakers, nurses, clinicians, and
treatment groups and programs are invited to apply and/or be nominated for an
award. All first place, second place, and honorary winners receive grants to
their institutions to further the success of their programs and will be honored
at a ceremony in Washington, DC in November. Also, first place winners receive
$5,000 and second place winners receive $2,500. Application deadline: July 8,
2005. www.reintegration.com/resources/scholarships/awardsfactsheet.asp
Disability Self-Assessment Checklist for Businesses
(2005)
The Independent Living Institute has created a checklist to
help businesses and organizations assess their ability to accommodate employees
and trainees with disabilities. The checklist is comprised of 15 questions,
such as: 1) Does your company have a disability policy and an action plan, as
integral part of its general plan, to safeguard equal access for customers,
employees and trainees with disabilities regarding premises, operations,
products and services? 2) Does your company have a budget for the action plan,
a coordinating office and/or designated officers in charge of its
implementation throughout the company system?
It’s all About the Music – FLAME
“Even
people who are not as fortunate to have the gifts that so many of us have, can
find something that gives them joy – and then “live their best life.”
FLAME,
Lexington Center’s (Fulton County ARC NYS Chapter) band, kicked off summer with
their first public appearance in the Capital District area on June 4th. People from Lexington and the many area
agencies throughout the Capital District were among the 260 guests who danced
the night away during FLAME’S First Annual Dinner Dance at Albany’s Desmond
Hotel and Conference Center.
Then
June 11th the band rocked
the Capital Region during Albany’s Annual Lobsterfest in Washington Park. Battling 90 degree temperatures, FLAME
performed flawlessly for two hours to benefit the Miles of Smiles Mobile Dental
Unit. The audience - singing, dancing
and cheering them on - was visibly elated.
For
over two years FLAME has performed all over New York State to sold-out
venues. In January of 2005 FLAME kicked
off their Lightning Strikes Tour with performances in New York City and New
Jersey and bookings for over 50 more performances. NYSRA is pleased to note that FLAME will be performing at the
NYSRA’s 2005 Annual Leadership Summit in September.
Interested
in booking FLAME for your next event, remember that it is really “about the
music” because the band plays great professional music. Call Stephanie Reese or Maria Nestle at
(518) 762-0024 to discuss the booking arrangements.
Job
Opportunities
Chief
Financial Officer - Seeking candidates to provide leadership and management of financial
and business support services for statewide non-profit association advocating
for persons with disabilities served by community agencies. Areas of responsibility include budget and
financial forecasting, accounting supervision, financial reporting, business
and support services, contracting and financial compliance of the association
and its related operations. Responsible
for overall management and implementation of the corporate financial and
administrative operations including accounting, information technology, human
resources and general administration.
Candidate must possess a bachelors degree in Accounting, CPA preferred,
and should have a minimum of 10 years of experience with some senior level
finance experience. Send resume to
Human Resources, Florida ARF, 2475 Apalachee Pkwy, Ste 205, Tallahassee, FL
32301 or jbruntlett@floridaarf.org
Program Director - Residential Services - Mountain Lake Services seeks an
experienced, results oriented senior management professional to join a
progressive management team providing services to people with developmental
disabilities. This position is responsible for residential services to people
in the Southern half of Essex County, which includes homes in Crown Point,
Ticonderoga, Schroon Lake and Minerva.
The ideal candidate will have strong leadership capabilities with a
background in program development and implementation in a health care/human
services setting. Responsibilities include quality of care, staff development,
fiscal management, and physical plant management in a residential
environment. A Bachelors degree in
Human Services or related field required, with a minimum of five years of
management experience working in positions of increasing responsibility in a
health care/human services setting required, preferably in the field of
developmental disabilities. Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent
fringe benefit package. Apply to Human
Resource Office, Mountain Lake Services, 10 St. Patrick’s Place, Port Henry, NY
12974 www.mountainlakeservices.org
EOE
Portions of this
e-mail newsletter were excerpted from the National Center on Secondary
Education and Transition E-News, which can be found at www.ncset.org/enews/.
NYSRA and RRTI Calendar
June 2005
June
21
Clinic
Services Committee Meeting, Albany
June
22
OPTS
Monthly Conference Call
June
29-30
RRCEP
II Seminar, Job Coach I, Albany
July
2005
July
14
Deaf/HOH
Division Meeting, Albany
July
15
Partnership
with Schools Committee Meeting, Albany
July
20
OPTS
Monthly Conference Call
July
21
Service
Coordination Committee Meeting, Albany
August
2005
August
3
Workcenter
Services Committee Meeting, Albany (AM)
Community Employment Committee Meeting, Albany (PM)
August
10
DD
Division Meeting, Albany
August
11
MH
Division Meeting, Albany
August
17
OPTS
Monthly Conference Call
September
2005
September
26-28
2005
Leadership Training Summit
The
Desmond, Albany, NY
NYSRA is now accepting
nominations for the following awards:
Adrian
Levy Award
State
Public Official of the Year Award
Local
Public Official of the Year Award
Martha
Fitzpatrick Citizen Advocate Award
Business
Industry/Recognition Award
For a
nomination form, please contact Jennifer Ivery at jennifer@nyrehab.org
Would you
like to include something in the ReSource? Contact Becky at becky@nyrehab.org
NYSRA/RRTI
155 Washington Avenue
Suite 410
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 449.2976
Fax: (518) 426.4329