Free Webinar: What is Care Coordination 8.23

People Inc. is pleased to share this information for parents, family members and caregivers. Person Centered Services is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, August 23, from 6-7 p.m. titled What is Care Coordination? Focusing on information for parents and/or caregivers of children ages birth to five years old with a suspected or diagnosed disability. Topics to be discussed include: An overview of Care Coordination; OPWDD eligibility and services; referral process and a Question/Answer session.  Register for the event. Please note: Even if someone is unable to attend the live webinar, registration for the event is encouraged, as a follow up email will be sent to all registrants with a link to the recording and materials.   

Participate in a Survey for Families/Caregivers of People with IDD through May 16

Input from Family/Caregivers of People with IDD Needed on New York’s Response to COVID-19 The Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC) is compiling a report on New York State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to solicit feedback from as many providers as possible, the DDPC has developed a survey for parents/caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Please share this message with families you support: We know that people with IDD and family members faced unique challenges during the pandemic. We want to hear about your experiences, during the earlier days of the pandemic, so that the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and other state agencies can be better prepared, should another public health emergency occur in the future. The New York State Legislature has charged the independent DDAC with preparing a report assessing New York’s response to COVID-19 relating to people with IDD. The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) is assisting the DDAC in the preparation of the report. This report will include an evaluation of policies, procedures, and programs that were implemented from March 2020 through April 2021 to determine the impact on safety for people with IDD. The report will also include feedback from stakeholder groups including self-advocates, family members/caregivers, providers, CCOs and underserved communities. Survey for Families/Caregivers of People with IDD One of the important components of this report is a survey for family members/caregivers of people with IDD. As a family member/caregiver of a person with IDD, your voice is critical to making sure our report accurately represents the experiences that people with IDD and family members faced during the pandemic for the time period of March 2020 through April 2021. It is also essential that a wide variety of family members from various parts of the state and an array of backgrounds respond to the survey so the DDAC and DDPC get the clearest picture of the impact of the state’s actions.  The survey is about 10 minutes long. It is completely voluntary and anonymous. You are free to skip any questions that you do not wish to answer. If you are interested, view the survey here . It will be open until Monday, May 16. Thank you for your participation in this important effort.

People Inc. Residential Services Family Meeting

People Inc. is hosting the Spring Meeting on Wednesday, May 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., for families and guardians whose family members receive supports through the Residential Program. The agenda will include presentations on staff recruitment efforts and admissions/certified residential opportunities process. Join us via phone (audio only): 1.607.442.6488 , 236086440#. The phone conference ID is: 236 086 440#.

Parent and Caregiver Group Virtual Meetings Every Month for 2022

Parent and Caregiver Group virtual meetings offered every month for 2022

January 12 Agency Family Call Announced

Informational conferences calls for families of people supported through People Inc.

A Message from OPWDD - Help Keep the People We Support Safe During the COVID-19 Winter Surge

People Inc. shared New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Acting Commissioner Kerri Neifeld message encouraging everyone to “Get Vaccinated, Get Boosted and Wear a Mask!”

COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives for Employees

Last month, we shared New York State Governor Hochul’s announcement regarding funding anticipated through the American Rescue Plan, as it related to direct support professionals. While we wait for more information on when and how those funds will be available to us, our Senior Leadership Team has continued to focus on safety measures and educating on the benefits of and access to the COVID-19 vaccination. Through a whole range of efforts, the vaccination percentage of the people we support has been well over 90 percent for some time now. Since the health and safety of all of our employees is also very important, People Inc. leadership made the decision to offer a vaccine incentive payment to all of our staff who are fully vaccinated by January 14, 2022. While the American Rescue Plan program will only fund the incentive payment for direct support professionals, we recognize that staff in other positions across the agency are working to support our operations. Exceptional teamwork across the organization is evident daily, and will certainly continue into the coming year.  

“Give it a Shot with Dr. Turkovich!” Parent Network of WNY Webinar December 20

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting a free virtual presentation on the COVID-19 vaccine. “ Give It a Shot with Dr. Turkovich! ” will be held on Monday, December 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Stephen J. Turkovich, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Oishei Children’s Hospital will discuss the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children. A question and answer session will follow. If interested, register in advance to receive the Zoom link. For more information, contact  info@parentnetworkwny.org  or call 716.332.4170. More information can also be found on the  Parent Network website . Please share this information and  flyer  with anyone who may be interested.

NYS Funding for Direct Support Professionals Announced

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the approval of several funding packages that will impact our direct support staff and agencies in our field of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One-time American Rescue Plan Act Funding will, “support recruitment efforts, retention incentives and vaccination bonuses for direct support professionals who provide support for people with developmental disabilities in an effort to address workforce shortages in this field.” Funding for a one-time payment for direct support professionals who worked during the pandemic will be made possible through a “Heroes Fund.” People Inc. is preparing now, so that we will be able to issue checks to those staff included, as soon as funds are received. As details are received by OPWDD, specifics regarding payment amounts and dates will be announced to our staff.   Retention and longevity bonuses will make additional investments in the workforce by rewarding longevity and providing additional bonuses to staff who remain in the direct support professional (DSP) workforce into 2022. Again, as details are received, the agency will share this information with our staff. A Vaccine Bonus Payment for direct support staff of up to $500 will be available. New York State set a due date of Friday, January 14, 2022, for DSP staff to be in full compliance to qualify for the payment. (ICF and Article 16 staff must begin to be vaccinated by Sunday, December 5, 2021.) People Inc. doesn’t have any control over the due date set by the State, but we are hoping that as many of our direct support professionals as possible take action to be qualified for this payment. This is not an automatic payment to the DSPs, they must provide proof of vaccination via one of the variety of methods communicated to them. Currently, our agency is awaiting further details to be announced regarding how and when the funds will become available. We are thrilled to see a positive result from our constant and hard-fought advocacy efforts, that recognize the important work and dedication of our direct support professionals. We will continue our fight for increases to our rates going forward, so that cost of living increases are reflected in rates in the future. The advocacy of our entire People Inc. team – advocates, staff, families and friends – will be necessary going forward toward that goal. Know that when we ask for phone calls, emails or letters, your participation is important and appreciated!