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February 27, 2006: Part XI |
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NYS OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE THROUGH SERVICES update as of February 27, 2006
NYS OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE THROUGH SERVICES
February 27, 2006
News from the OPTS Administration Unit (#2-2006)
1. OPTS Questions
2. Proposal Status Report as of 2/27/06
3. Revised OPTS Application Available Through OMRDD Website Download only Budget and Roster for Proposal Submission
4. Independent Team Reviews
5. OMRDD Website New Information Available
6. Additional Brief Descriptions of Approved Proposals
7. DDSO OPTS Liaison Contacts
8. Information Sharing
9. Why You May Receive Multiple Copies of this Message
1. OPTS Questions
The phone number for the OPTS Admin Unit is (518) 408-2744.
E-mail addresses are:
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OPTS questions can be sent via e-mail to
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Visit the OPTS information on the web via: www.nysopts.com
OPTS proposals must be now be submitted electronically through the OMRDD Secure Messaging Center to
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2. Proposal Status Report as of February 27, 2006
Proposals Received 251
Proposals Complete 224 a
Health Checks Complete 210 b
Consumer Verifications Complete 178 c
Team Review Meetings Held/Scheduled 176 d
Awaiting Scheduling of Team Review Meeting 1
Proposals Approved 78 *
Implemented 40 e
* At least 1 proposal has now been approved in each OMRDD district.
Number of Proposals On Hold 23 f
Number of Proposals Not OPTS 26 g
a Contact telephone numbers required as part of the OPTS Application. View the OPTS Application, including the Budget and Roster (Microsoft Excel document) through the OMRDD Home Page (specifics given in #1 above).
b Two proposals have been unsuccessful in completing the Health Check.
c Several proposals have completed the consumer verification step, but have been put on hold due to insufficient participation by the consumers, families and/or advocates. Three proposals have been unsuccessful in completing the Consumer Verification but are expected to proceed once participation by the consumers, families and/or advocates is demonstrated.
d Several proposals have been reviewed twice, the initial review and then upon receipt of supplemental information from the not-for-profit provider.
e Payments continue to be processed on a monthly basis under the Interim Payment Process.
f A non-profit provider may be asked to prioritize their proposals when they have multiple proposals submitted, this category includes proposals non-profit providers designate as a low priority.
g Proposals determined Not OPTS are either services OMRDD is not authorized to provide, have already been approved for implementation outside of OPTS, or the non-profit provider has withdrawn.
3. Revised OPTS Application Available Through OMRDD Website Download only Budget and Roster for Proposal Submission
The revised OPTS application, sent via paper to Executive Directors on January 25, 2006 is now available through the OMRDD website. Part V, the Budget and Roster, can be downloaded from the website, completed and submitted electronically. Part I through IV of the application, must be obtained as an electronic file from OMRDD. The website application version of Parts I through IV, is provided for viewing and the PDF version is provided as a printable version.
4. Independent Team Reviews
The revised OPTS application enables providers to identify proposals for residential services to NYS-CARES individuals. OMRDD has established a review format referred to as an Independent Team Review for residential proposals where more than 50% of the participants, or the individuals filling their vacated opportunities, are on the NYS-CARES waitlist or are aging out of residential school placements. If more than 50% of the individuals identified on the Participant Information of Part V of the application, or NYS-CARES Waitlist Backfill Attachment are not verified by OMRDD as NYS-CARES Waitlist or as individuals aging out of residential school placements, the proposal will be reviewed through the regularly scheduled Team Review Meetings rather through the Independent Team Review.
5. OMRDD Website - New Information Available
Section II Proposal Submission Information Now contains brief descriptions of approved proposals.
Application for NYS OPTS Pilot Participation Now contains the 2006 revised version of the OPTS application, including the Budget and Roster that can be downloaded for completion and submission with a proposal.
NYS OPTS Agreements Now contains excerpts pertaining to ISP and Habilitation Plan updates needed for select services authorized under OPTS. The excerpts are taken from the applicable Appendix B. Each OPTS Agreement will have at least one Appendix B which describes the required documentation a non-profit provider must maintain.
Tips for Evaluating your OPTS Pilot Proposal The Tips described in the January OPTS News can now also be viewed through the OMRDD website.
All of the above information can easily be visited via: www.nysopts.com
6. Brief Description of Approved Proposals
Evelyn Douglin Center for Serving People In Need, Inc. - Brooklyn DDSO, OPTS #144
11 Individuals
Target Implementation NOT YET DETERMINED
OPTS Service(s) Group Day Habilitation
- Through this proposal, meaningful daytime services will be provided to 11 individuals who present behavioral challenges. Each of the individuals identified for service has been determined as hard to serve or difficult to place due to a history of repeated program discharges and/or admission rejections. Where individuals require additional supports in order to leave home for transport to day program, direct support staff will start activities at the individuals home to aid the transition of getting the individual out of the home and into the community.
People, Inc. (Western NY DDSO, OPTS #82)
30 Individuals initially, expand to 100 in Year 2
Target Implementation NOT YET DETERMINED
OPTS Service(s) Other (Transportation)
- An accessible van will be used solely for the purpose of transportation for individuals participating in a self advocacy group to access community events and allow for active participation in community volunteer activities. All outings will be solely scheduled and determined by the self advocates. A part-time staff person will help organize, facilitate and act as the driver and role model for the members.
Wildwood Programs, Inc. (Capital District DDSO, OPTS #143)
1 Individual
Implemented - February 2006
OPTS Service(s) Blended DP with Blended DPS expected during the term of the OPTS Agreement
- This proposal will create an opportunity for one individual who is aging out of Wildwood School to participate in activities where he can increase his independence and move toward his goal of employment in the community. A blend of habilitation and vocational services will initially be provided. While employment may not be achieved for several years, it is an expressed goal of the individual, so the skills he initially receives through the proposal will be directed toward assisting him to achieving this goal.
NYS ARC, Inc. Columbia County Chapter (Taconic DDSO, OPTS #184)
1 Individual
Target Implementation Est. July 2006
OPTS Service(s) Individual Day Habilitation
- To develop and maintain an enhanced individualized day program for an individual who is aging out from his school program is the objective of this proposal. The young man presents challenging behavioral issues characterized by aggression and self injurious behavior. This program will maximize independence, inclusion, socialization, and community activities for a person where such activities and ideals are hard to achieve due to his behavior.
NYS ARC, Inc. Ontario County Chapter (Finger Lakes DDSO, OPTS #146)
137 Individuals
Target Implementation NOT YET DETERMINED
OPTS Service(s) Group Day Habilitation
- This proposal will downsize the current 134 person Eberhardt Day Habilitation Center to serve 60 individuals with several sites serving between 9 and 12 participants will be developed. This plan will substantially increase the level of community inclusion available to the individuals and will offer more specialized services based on the changing needs of those served. This proposal will open up space at the Eberhardt Center to expand activities such as: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Horticulture Program, Aqua Therapy, Pet Therapy, as well as ambulation programs and nutritional services. The agency will enhance the services individuals receive by focusing on three key factors: service location, size of participant grouping and variety of activities.
People, Inc. (Western NY DDSO, OPTS #152)
24 Individuals
Target Implementation NOT YET DETERMINED
OPTS Service(s) Supervised IRA Residential Habilitation
- This proposal will downsize two 12 person supervised apartment IRA programs at 8 Lemontree Court in Amherst and 844-848 Amherst Street in Buffalo. Eight additional single bedrooms will be created as a result of the residential reconfiguration. A new IRA for eight individuals who wish to live in Buffalo will be developed. The single bedrooms will provide more privacy for the individuals, and the fewer individuals in the homes will provide the individuals with the opportunity to advance their independence and be more active in the community.
PRALID, Inc. (Finger Lakes DDSO, OPTS #127)
1 Individual
Target Implementation Est. April 2006
OPTS Service(s) At-Home Residential Habilitation
- This proposal will enable a young man to increase his independence. Initially the individual will live alone, with staff providing the necessary oversight for protection, and a roommate may be considered in the future. The individual will assist in maintaining the home and will be involved in planning the activities he will participate in each day. Employment is a future consideration, but will not be pursued initially as the individual adjusts to living in his new home and the responsibility of planning each day.
CAY Community Services Organization (Brooklyn DDSO, OPTS #44)
4 Individuals
Target Implementation Est. April 2006
OPTS Service(s) Blended DP
- After speaking with each individual and their advocates, and determining their individual goals, fulfillment of the goals for the particular individuals was not being met by current programs. Each individual has very specific jobs or job titles they wish to hold. Staff will work with the individuals to learn the tasks associated with the job/job title each individual has expressed interest in, and will also work with the individuals on skills they need for daily living. Employment is an objective for each individual and will be pursued as each individual is ready to embark on a job in the community.
People, Inc. (Western NY DDSO, OPTS #147)
8 Individuals
Target Implementation NOT YET DETERMINED
OPTS Service(s) Supervised IRA Residential Habilitation
- This proposal will create a new IRA for 8 individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystropy or Cerebral Palsy. These individuals are not cognitively limited and some currently attend Edinboro College in Pennsylvania, which provides personal care to disabled students. The individuals who have chosen to live together will direct much of their own care and they will use self-government for many of the rules in the home. Independence and inclusion in the community are both important to these individuals.
7. DDSO OPTS Liaison Contacts
Bernard Fineson - Ronald Kassover (718) 217-5894
Bernard Fineson - Sheila Green-Gholson (718) 217-6117
Bernard Fineson Carolyn Adams (718) 217-5596
Brooklyn Michael Gilbert (718) 642-8546
Brooklyn - Donna Limiti (718) 642-8584
Brooklyn Janet Strauss (718) 642-8629
Broome - Sandra Beach (607) 770-0248
Broome Kathleen Schyndler (607) 770-0232
Capital District - Donald Going (518) 370-7443
Central New York - Judith Luyben (315) 473-6654
Finger Lakes - Patricia Barry (585) 461-8826
Hudson Valley - Virginia Leone (845) 947-6333
Hudson Valley Eileen Wood (845) 344-6530
Hudson Valley Ira Rothenstein (914) 332-8957
Long Island - Lois Kilkenny (631) 493-1745
Long Island - Deborah Hammargren (631) 493-1812
Metro New York (Metro) Lisa Persante (718) 430-0474
Metro New York (Bronx) Patricia Schuckle (718) 430-0847
Metro New York (Manhattan) - Janet Zampella (212) 229-3215
Staten Island - Richard Monck (718) 983-5232
Staten Island - Barbara Schubert (718) 982-1904
Sunmount - Paul Chartier (518) 359-2962
Sunmount - Jacci Gardner (518) 359-2962
Taconic - Robert Slawinski (845) 473-5050 x 151
Taconic - Gabrielle Canino (845) 473-5050 x 129
Western New York - JoAnn Niebel (716) 517-3636
Western New York Richard Mahaney (716) 517-2144
8. Information Sharing
We encourage you to share the information in this message with individuals who are interested in knowing more about recent activities associated with the NYS OPTS initiative.
9. Why You May Receive Multiple Copies of this Message
This message is being sent to individuals on several distribution lists. If you appear on more than one of the distribution lists being used, you will receive multiple copies of this message. This message is being distributed to:
OPTS Steering Committee OPTS Consumer and Family Subcommittee
OPTS Implementation Subcommittee OPTS Provider Subcommittee
FSS Statewide Advisory Committee Provider Associations
Provider Council Parent-to-Parent Liaison
Self Advocate Liaison Multicultural Providers
DDSO Directors Central Office Leadership Team
DDSO and Central Office OPTS Point People/Liaisons
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