Heckuva Job! (Really!)

by Maria Dibble

In June, tragedy struck this region, as rivers overflowed and many parts of Binghamton and surrounding areas experienced record flooding. For all those affected, it has been a grim, frustrating and often extremely stressful time, as you've worked to put your lives back together again. You have our best wishes and if we can do anything to help, please give us a call.

I remember the second evening of the flood, wondering if STIC could do anything to assist people with disabilities to cope with the circumstances. I agonized over whether shelters were accessible, if proper attention was being given to the needs of people with disabilities and so much more.

Since 9/11, several of our staff have been involved with committees developing plans to address emergencies such as this. We spoke to our consumers about their needs and passed on their concerns to the proper officials. We offered advice based on our years of experience, provided resource information and hoped that it was enough. We talked about the obvious need for site access, as well as adaptive equipment/assistive devices, medications, accessible cots, and more, but we never really knew if our message was being heard.

I'm extremely pleased to report that it was heard, and then some. The Events Center at Binghamton University was extraordinarily well prepared, completely accessible, and was equipped with wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, oxygen, accessible cots and much more. Homecare agencies, nurses and doctors were available, as well as a limited pharmacy. The assessments of people as they arrived at the Events Center were thorough, the staff and volunteers were kind and respectful and the environment was as pleasant as it could be under such dire circumstances. There was plenty of food, and there were even televisions to keep people entertained.

When I contacted a county official to ask if there was anything STIC could do to assist in the emergency, I was greeted warmly. About all they needed was a few more crutches and walkers and a Hoyer lift, which we gladly provided.

Afterwards I spoke to several people with disabilities who had been evacuated to the Events Center. Every one of them said that they were treated well and that the officers and others they dealt with during the evacuation were all prepared to address their disability-related needs.

The only identifiable problem that we were told about by county officials was the need for more accessible vehicles to use during such emergencies. Although all of our county buses have lifts, as do the vehicles used by the BC Lift, when you're in a hurry and need to move fast, they are time-consuming to operate and are not efficient for evacuating large numbers of people (such as from nursing homes or senior housing complexes).

STIC offers our congratulations and highest praise to Broome County officials, the Red Cross and all of the other agencies, organizations and individuals involved in putting together and implementing Broome County's emergency evacuation plan. It should be used as a model for cities and towns around the country.

It is also heartwarming to see the outpouring of concern and assistance from individuals in the community who have volunteered in the cleanup process and have donated time, money, supplies and in some cases their homes, to help those in need. In a time when the news is full of war, hate and human beings doing what they can to kill and maim one another, it is nice to see the other part of humanity, the good side, willing to offer a helping hand to a stranger. Imagine what a world we'd have if we could always be so considerate and compassionate, instead of needing an emergency or a tragedy to bring out the best in us.

Bad Weather?
If the weather is bad, call 724-2111 (voice/TTY) to make sure we’re open. The answering machine will explain why we’re closed. Listen to the entire message since we sometimes ask you to call back to check later in the day. If we’re going to be closed, the message will say so by 7:30 am. For Deaf consumers, there will be a generic TTY message saying we’re closed. This message is always the same no matter why we’re closed.
AccessAbility
September 2006

EDITOR IN CHIEF: MARIA DIBBLE
EDITOR: KEN DIBBLE
LAYOUT: JESSE BISHOP

AccessAbility is published seasonally (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by Southern Tier Independence Center. Letters, information, descriptions of disability experiences and ads are always welcome. Deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15.
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ADAPT Teaches Ethics

(This is an abridged version of an article from the Rochester Center for Disability Rights website; used by permission. -- Editor)

On July 13, 2006, disability activists from Rochester, Binghamton, Albany, and as far away as Chicago made their voices heard at the Alden March Bioethics Conference being held in Albany.

At approximately 1:30 pm, the group, wearing a colorful array of ADAPT and Not Dead Yet t-shirts, marched single-file up the steep hill of State Street to their destination. CDR Executive Director Bruce Darling and Not Dead Yet (NDY) activist Stephen Drake led the way. The conference had not yet begun. The group strode in front of the conference presenters, podium, and PowerPoint projector screens, filling the front of the hall. They pulled out protest signs with slogans such as "Not Dead Yet", "Democracy not Dictatorship", "ADAPT" and, perhaps most importantly, "Nothing About Us Without Us!" Chris Hilderbrant led the group in a chant: "NOTHING!! about us. without us!" The group chanted as loud as they possibly could. Other advocates went through the conference room, to pass out flyers about the lack of involvement of the disability community in a conference about bioethics issues that so critically affect our community.

Half of the conference attendees seemed confused, leaving the room at a brisk pace. The other half seemed unsure of whether to take the flyers, but the majority took them, to read and discuss with their neighboring conference attendees. Others approached the group to ask questions and find out more about the issues around disability rights. A few took out cell phones and began taking pictures and video streaming the events as they unfolded!

Bruce Darling, Shelly Perrin, Mike Volkman and Stephen Drake became the negotiating team with the conference organizers. As a result of their discussions, Drake was able to speak in front of the full conference. As Bruce put it, "He actually became the Keynote Speaker for the conference!"

Stephen spoke of the mission of NDY and how people with disabilities have been dismissed by both sides of the "cultural war". He gave personal examples of how people with disabilities are critically affected by bioethics issues, including the story of Rochesterian Joe Bonomo and the difficulty he had getting his own doctor to serve him at home after he had a series of strokes. He also shared the story of a 4 year-old girl with autism who was murdered by her mother. Instead of sympathy being garnered for the murdered girl, the media empathized with the mother who killed her! That is why the disability community needs to have its voice heard at the bioethics table.

When Stephen ended his speech, he was met by powerful applause followed by contemplative silence. The activists slowly made their way outside as the conference recessed for a short period. Drake was invited to stay but elected to leave with rest of the group. A number of attendees came forward to express their support of the action; other conference attendees asked group members more about why we were here. We left them with flyers, information and website links that would hopefully be both helpful and insightful.

After success at the bioethics conference, the group decided to pay a visit to Bob Sherman, from the Long Term Care Restructuring project, who is working on a "mega-waiver". Chris Hilderbrant and the crew walked the distance from the hotel to One Commerce Plaza. The crew entered the plaza and, in small groups, went up to the 8th. floor.

Just the day before, Bruce Darling had participated in an Advisory Group meeting about the waiver. He was deeply concerned because it was clear that the waiver was being designed to meet the needs of various groups, like the counties and provider agencies, but that the needs of consumers, particularly those with the most significant disabilities, were being overlooked.

Once situated, Bruce called Bob Sherman, the head of the Long Term Restructuring initiative, to see if he would come out and talk to the group. Bob asked how many people were with Bruce.

Bruce replied, "about 40."

Bob retorted, "Really Bruce, how many people are there?"

Bruce held the phone out and asked everyone to say "hi" to Bob. The crowd shouted back "Hi, Bob!"

Bob told Bruce he would be right out.

When he came out, you could see the awe in his face, gathering us all in, and having to listen to real stories about the importance of personal care. Sherman promised the group that if we scheduled a formal meeting, he would attend to listen even more.

Bush Kicks Back at Medicaid Kickbacks


In mid-August, President Bush angered members of his own Republican Party, as well as the National Governors Association (NGA), by proposing regulations that would significantly cut Medicaid funding for the states by means that Congress rejected last year.

Bush wants to end Medicaid kickbacks from providers to states. The kickbacks, often called "provider taxes", "fees", or "surcharges", let states collect more federal Medicaid money than their percentage share entitles them to.

Here's how it works: Each state is entitled to recover a percentage of its total Medicaid spending from the feds. New York's share is 50%. The state includes in its spending reports the total amount it pays to Medicaid service providers, and collects 50% of that from Uncle Sam. But then it recoups some of that spending from providers via the surcharges, which means the state did not actually spend the entire amount that it reported.

Many Congressional Republicans as well as Democrats, in both houses, are outraged that Bush is trying to stop this practice by modifying the Medicaid program regulations after Congress explicitly rejected the idea during the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) debate. They have allied with the NGA in expressing strong opposition to Bush's proposal in writing, stating that it "would seriously disrupt financing of Medicaid programs around the country."

These kickbacks are legal and have been approved by previous federal administrations. Stopping them will clearly reduce the amount of federal Medicaid money that states get, which is a bad thing, especially in light of the serious cuts to Medicaid programs that the DRA now allows states to make (see AccessAbility, Spring 2006). However, STIC's position is that they are an inappropriate dodge that increases administrative costs for both the state and providers, and should be stopped. Advocates in NY should focus on getting the feds to raise their share of the state's Medicaid costs, which, at 50%, is the lowest in the nation. Other states, including Delaware, New Hampshire, and Minnesota, with far smaller proportions of Medicaid recipients than New York, also get 50%. Most states get between 55% and 70%, and the highest is 76%.

Housing Vouchers Increased


In June, disability rights lawyer Steve Gold reported that 2006 funding for federal Housing and Urban Development housing vouchers was increased by 3.5% over 2005. This restores more than half of the vouchers that were lost in fiscal year 2004-05.

New York State's voucher total was increased by 9,969. Among those, Binghamton Housing Authority got 51 new vouchers for FY 2006. However, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that don't use all of the allocated funds will lose them next year.

These vouchers are for low-income people, including but not limited to people with disabilities. PHAs have discretion in how to use them. It's important for disability advocates to meet with PHA heads to ensure that they are used to address the critical shortage of accessible low-income housing in our communities.

Medicaid and Proof of Citizenship


A recent uproar occurred over a new federal law designed to keep illegal immigrants from getting Medicaid. The law, which took effect on July 1, requires Medicaid recipients to provide proof of citizenship.

A spokesperson for Congressman Charles Norwood (R-GA) was reported as saying, "Medicaid programs across the country face a funding crisis, and the feedback we're getting is that a lot of the financial pressure is coming from illegal immigrants." However, the US Department of Health and Human Services' Inspector General issued a report last June that indicated "no widespread citizenship fraud in Medicaid."

Disability advocates protested the new law, pointing out that many citizens with disabilities, including elderly people in nursing homes, people with developmental disabilities, and African and Native Americans, may not be able to lay their hands on birth certificates or have driver's licenses. They could be forced off Medicaid rolls, advocates said, with severe damage to their health.

Following a lawsuit over the issue, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that they had found a typo in the law. The law says the requirement for proof of citizenship "shall not apply to an alien who is eligible for medical assistance" from Medicare or Medicaid. CMS says Congress "meant" to say "citizen" instead of "alien", and that people who are already enrolled in these programs, or who receive SSI, will not be required to furnish proof of citizenship.

CMS also said that state records for food stamps or welfare assistance can be used to document citizenship, and that in extreme hardship cases, people will be able simply to submit an affidavit saying they are citizens. If that's the case, they might as well just repeal the law--but we're glad that CMS cleared this up anyway.

NYS Durable Medical Equipment Fiasco


In October 2004, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) closed its New York City office, which used to handle downstate requests for Medicaid coverage of durable medical equipment (DME). This ignited a firestorm of complaints that led to hearings by two State Assembly committees and a scathing report on DOH malfeasance and incompetence. Although the NYC closure sparked the uproar, committee members learned, with apparent surprise, that unfairness and unresponsiveness in DOH's DME program have been going on across the state for years.

Durable medical equipment (DME) is stuff that people with disabilities use to maintain or improve health, mobility, or independence, that lasts a long time, and that is not individually designed or built for them (though stock items may be modified for individual needs). This includes wheelchairs, shower or bath chairs, commodes, and the like.

The Assembly report, Delaying Necessities, Denying Needs, found DOH's Medicaid DME prior approval process to be plagued with horrendous delays and illogical denials. The reasons include: unqualified, poorly trained staff making determinations that are often based on personal bias rather than objective medical knowledge; demands for irrelevant or redundant information from applicants; failure to monitor the timeliness of the process or its results; irrational handling of people who are dually-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare; and failure to treat Fair Hearing reversals of DME denials as binding precedents. The report states that most of these practices violate DOH's own regulations. And it echoes, without endorsing, the widely-held belief among equipment providers and disability advocates that these practices are deliberately intended to delay and reduce Medicaid spending.

When the NYC office, which processed about two-thirds of all DME requests in the state, was closed, its operations were moved to Albany. DOH made conflicting claims about staffing, first saying new staff were added but later that the number of staff in the Albany office had not changed. As a result, a bad situation got dramatically worse.

It may be claimed that the essentially one-party nature of the Assembly's investigation, along with the report's less than objective language, indicate a political attempt to embarrass the Pataki Administration's DOH. However, as we've reported many times, DOH has plenty to be embarrassed about. Particularly on point was Darlene Dickinson's harrowing tale of a woman who tried to get Medicaid funding for a motorized shower transfer device (see "Medicaid Madness" , Summer 2005). The Assembly report is full of anecdotes just like Dickinson's.

Anecdotal evidence can be misleading, but the Assembly had trouble getting hard facts. DOH officials were unable or refused to provide documentation on several points despite repeated requests, instead preferring to repeat unverified verbal claims. For example: DOH officials have a huge new computer system called "eMedNY". However, it can't tell them how many "pending" (not yet resolved) DME applications they have on file. Instead, they told the committees and the media that they approve "95%" of applications. Without knowing how many applications they've received, it is mathematically impossible to find out what percentage of them are approved.

NYS Medicaid regulations require DOH to approve or deny DME requests within 21 days of receipt. However, a witness from a large service provider testified at Assembly hearings that before the NYC office closed it typically took 2-3 months to get an application approved, and that after the closure the wait grew to 9 months or more.

One reason for this is that DOH gets to "stop the clock" when they request more information from an applicant, and restart it when the information is received. However, witnesses testified, the information that DOH requests is often irrelevant or already in DOH files. For example, when a person requested a new wheelchair because hers was 8 years old and worn out (wheelchairs typically last about 5 years), DOH demanded the original invoice for the old chair. The old invoice had no relevance to approving a new wheelchair, and DOH should already have had a record of the old one's make, model, features and cost, since they'd approved its purchase. It is common for DOH to make people submit medical exam results documenting permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy or quadriplegia each time they request a DME item--even though DOH knows the disabilities are permanent.

eMedNY, which cost $375 million, can't produce a count of applications that were resolved within 21 days. The best DOH officials could do was claim that 7 applications taken in a "random sample" over two years were resolved on time. As any statistician knows, a random sample of 7 out of tens of thousands is meaningless. Experts in providing services to people with disabilities told the Assembly that many DME applicants simply give up after months of delays and repeated requests for information, and that sometimes applications never receive a final response at all. So it's likely that DOH's DME approval rate is well below 95%. To be fair, DOH reported, and the Assembly acknowledged, that some delays are the fault of vendors who don't turn around the paperwork as fast as they could. However, that doesn't excuse the demands for irrelevant and redundant information.

Nor does it excuse a system that is supposed to make medical decisions on clinical evidence for issuing denials for reasons that can only be described as ignorant. Here are examples from the report:

"A 55-year-old man with cerebral palsy, mental retardation and visual impairment, who is married and works, needed a new tub chair, as the one he had successfully used for more than 10 years was broken ... His physician and physical therapist requested a new ... chair. While waiting, he received sponge baths from a home health aide. Initially DOH claimed a `procedural error' on its end delayed by a month the first missing information letter it sent his provider. After one year of back and forth with DOH, a DOH reviewer sent another missing information request. It did not deny the item, but suggested the patient should `break away' from his preference for this piece of equipment and `it is not clear why he needs to be submerged in his tub.'"

"A physician, two therapists and a nurse together signed a letter requesting a power wheelchair with power tilt for a 61-year-old man ... who could not walk, had a skin ulcer at the base of his spine and was well over 300 pounds. The power tilt would enable him to relieve the pressure on his lower spine so the ulcer would not worsen. DOH approved the wheelchair, but rejected the power tilt, saying `power w/c is for mobility only it is not a lazy boy recliner substitute.'"

"A mother requested a shower chair so that she could wash her 40- year-old daughter in the tub. Without it she would have to hold her up and wash her at the same time. One reviewer wrote on a prior approval request: `.while the notion of independence is a desirable benefit, it is not medical in nature.'"

These determinations aren't lust condescending, they're wrong. DME purchases must be "medically necessary". However, the definition of this term is not a matter of opinion; it is set out clearly in state regulations as follows: "... requested [items] would: meet the recipient's medical needs: reduce the recipient's physical or mental disability; restore the recipient to his or her best possible functional level; or improve the recipient's capacity for normal activity. [This] must be determined in light of the recipient's specific circumstances and ... functional capacity to use or make use of the requested [items]."

When DOH turns down a DME request, more hours of attendant service are often required to accomplish what the equipment was designed to do. This not only reduces the "recipient's capacity for normal activity", it usually costs more over time than buying the device would have.

Wrong determinations result from poor training and DOH's failure to heed regulations that require DME orders written by doctors to be reviewed by medical professionals with the same level of expertise, in the same specialties, as the doctors who wrote them. As best the Assembly could tell, determinations are commonly made by nurses or therapists who may or may not have any expertise in the areas they review. Despite repeated requests, DOH refused to provide information on the education, training or licensure of its reviewers to the Assembly.

50% of all DOH's DME rejections that are appealed are overturned. However, DOH is not required to treat these decisions as binding precedent and revamp its procedures accordingly. The report claims that the regulations "advise" DOH to do so, but that's not what the regulations say. They say that DOH "may" do so. If they were "advising" such a course of action, they would say "should" do so. We think the regulations should say "must" do so, and the Assembly report should have recommended this change.

We must say that we're uncomfortable with the report's complaints that DOH refuses to buy strollers for children who are of walking age but will approve wheelchairs for them, although strollers are cheaper than wheelchairs and more convenient for parents. Kids can't move themselves around in strollers but they can in wheelchairs (sometimes power chairs with specially-adapted controls). Two principles of the disability rights movement are age-appropriateness and independence. Mobility devices aren't about convenience for parents; they're about independence for the child. Children with disabilities who are of walking age should always receive mobility-related equipment that they can control themselves. We're aware that DOH often refuses to pay for appropriate adaptations to manual or power wheelchairs so people can use them independently, but that doesn't justify treating children who are old enough to walk like infants or toddlers and toting them around in oversize strollers.

The report described a class of people who are eligible for, but can't get, DME through NYS Medicaid: those who receive both Medicare and Medicaid, the "dual-eligibles". DOH says Medicaid is a funder of last resort, and requires "dual-eligibles" to apply to Medicare first. However, Medicare will only consider paying for DME after it's been purchased, and NYS Medicaid won't pay for equipment that wasn't approved before purchase. Most "dual-eligibles" are among our poorest citizens; they can't afford to lay out funds even temporarily for expensive equipment and hope that Medicare will reimburse them. But when those who manage to borrow or beg the money take that gamble and are turned down by Medicare, DOH won't consider their claims. A state appeals court found that this doesn't have to happen. NYS Medicaid regulations say nothing about requiring people to try Medicare first; "approval" and "purchase" are two separate acts and DOH can conditionally approve a request before the person goes to Medicare and, if Medicare turns them down, pick up the cost. But DOH refuses to change its procedures.

Although DOH's DME approval process treats people with permanent, previously-documented disabilities as though they were trying to commit Medicaid fraud, the department's oversight of equipment vendors, who have historically committed most DME fraud, is lax. Once an item is approved, DOH notifies the vendor, who is responsible for delivering it. However, DOH doesn't know how many items were actually delivered. DOH randomly sends out 5,000 letters to Medicaid recipients each month asking if they received the requested equipment. If the person answers "no", DOH investigates but, incredibly, if the person doesn't respond at all, DOH does nothing. We recently reported massive Medicaid fraud uncovered by the New York Times. One of the cases involved a dentist who claimed to have treated nearly 1,000 patients in a single day. If a vendor filed claims for 1,000 nonexistent DME customers with fake addresses, DOH might never find out about it.

The Assembly report also raised questions about why the NYC office was closed. DOH officials said it wasn't handling claims correctly, and eventually (a year after the Committee Chairs requested it), they provided a copy of a 2001 letter from DOH to the office's acting director listing serious issues, including "approval of funding for items not covered by Medicaid ... and a lack of invoices on file to substantiate payment". DOH also said it closed the office because it couldn't find a qualified person to replace this director, who had been "acting" for 20 years, and that another reason was to "standardize" the DME approval process across the state. So DOH couldn't find a qualified administrator to run the office for 23 years, and kept a presumably unqualified "acting director" on the job for that period? It seems likely that DOH didn't really try to replace the director--and that actually does fit in with the claim that they had to close the office in order to standardize procedures. A well-run state government would simply standardize the procedures, require the regional directors to execute them, and replace them if they didn't. But as we've seen with OMRDD's regional offices and the state's social services bureaucracy, the people "in charge" in Albany rarely, if ever, actually tell their underlings in the rest of the state what to do and make it stick.

DOH, while not acknowledging all of the cited problems, claims that the Assembly report is "outdated" and that during the 18 months since the Assembly began its investigation, DOH made significant improvements to its DME system. For example, a physician was hired to train and oversee claims reviewers. The Assembly Committee Chairs, as well as disability advocates across the state, say that while there has been a slight improvement, the problems cited remain widespread and persistent. They also point out that one doctor cannot possibly ensure quality when tens of thousands of claims are processed each year, and that DOH continues to refuse to provide documentation on training for reviewers or even to tell the Assembly how many reviewers it has.

Pataki the SHU Bomber


On August 17, Governor Pataki vetoed some 70 bills passed by the State Legislature. Among them were several of interest to the disability community, most (but not all) of which would have been beneficial.

The so-called "SHU Bill" would have forced state prisons to stop placing mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement in "special housing units", or SHUs, and instead refer them to appropriate treatment programs. According to disability advocates, about 8,000 state prison inmates, or 12% of the total inmate population, have mental illness. They are there primarily due to NY's decades-long failure to adequately fund community-based mental health services in tandem with its laudable process of closing psychiatric institutions. Solitary confinement causes the condition, and behavior, of inmates with mental illness to deteriorate. Many prison officials would prefer a treatment-focused alternative, but Pataki said he vetoed the measure because those officials need discretion to control inmates. However, he also claimed it would cost over $300 million--which is probably his real reason.

The Public Accommodations bill, a longstanding item on disability activists' legislative agendas that would have brought ADA Title III provisions for access to stores, restaurants, theaters, medical facilities, and some forms of transportation, into the state Human Rights Law, was vetoed. Pataki claimed "technical reasons"; that because the Human Rights Law covers some government-operated programs, such as the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority, it would subject those programs to conflicting mandates. Members of the Senate originally raised this objection, whereupon advocates worked with them to rewrite the bill to remove those concerns. However, in an action that seemed inexplicable at the time, the Senate leadership chose to pass the original bill instead. Now advocates are wondering if this was intended to ensure a veto while taking the pressure off the Senate leadership.

Pataki vetoed a bill to require DOH to hold public hearings on proposed changes to the Medicaid State Plan. This would have let advocates shine the light of day on his secretive "Mega-Waiver" planning. Pataki clearly recognized this and cited a "separation of powers" issue in his veto memo. That issue is bogus. He knows he doesn't have the authority to make such changes on his own; if he did, he wouldn't have asked the legislature twice to grant him that power. His claim that the bill would put the state's Medicaid funding at risk by keeping DOH from submitting State Plan changes to the federal government in a "timely" manner is nonsense. The feds don't require states to make changes to existing approved plans; if Pataki wants to initiate changes to a critical program that affects the health and lives of more than 2 million New Yorkers, the onus is on him to take into consideration the time needed to get and respond to an appropriately substantial amount of public and legislative input when planning his schedule.

A bill that ordered DOH to apply for a federal "Cash and Counseling" demonstration grant was vetoed. "Cash and Counseling" is an approach to providing personal assistance services that involves training the service recipient and giving them direct control of the money to pay attendants. Pataki said such a program should only be set up within the context of his plans to "restructure" Medicaid, presumably including his service-capped "Mega-Waiver" plan.

Pataki nixed a bill to create a state waiting list for housing for people with mental illness because it would require people seeking housing to be listed regardless of whether they are eligible for existing programs. The intent of the bill was to make sure that the state Office of Mental Health has complete information on housing needs, precisely so they can address insufficiencies caused by the eligibility rules of existing programs. This veto excuse was bogus.

A bill to create a state Interagency Council on services for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind was vetoed. Pataki agreed with the State Education Department, which said that such a single-disability program is counterproductive to ensuring holistic services and better community integration. This is STIC's position also.

Pataki vetoed a bill to increase state oversight of assisted living facilities. He said it would have taken funds away from DOH's program to provide oversight of adult care "homes", which, if true, is not a good idea given the sorry state of those facilities.

A bill to put the last three numbers of a person's drivers license, or non-driver ID, number on handicapped parking permits was vetoed. The idea was to prevent abuse of the permits. Pataki said that the Department of Motor Vehicles didn't want to deal with it, nor would the police be likely to make use of it. He's probably right about the latter. In any case, it's a bad idea. It's perfectly legitimate for a person with a disability to have a nondisabled friend, neighbor, or family member drive them somewhere and park in a handicapped spot; the same needs for a wheelchair access aisle and a short distance from vehicle to building apply.

In July Pataki vetoed a measure to place the burden of proof on school districts in Special Education disputes. The bill was proposed after the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff, a standard that has always applied to most lawsuits.

Save Your Assets


The NYS Department of Health (DOH), in an Administrative Directive dated July 20, 2006, announced changes to state Medicaid eligibility procedures in response to the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA).

As we've reported (AccessAbility, Summer 2006), the DRA increased the "lookback" period from 3 to 5 years for asset transfers for less than fair market value; changed the start date for the "penalty period" resulting from such transfers to the later of the transfer date or the date on which a person becomes eligible for, and begins to receive, affected services; and expanded the definition of affected assets to include some kinds of annuities and trusts.

DOH's Directive provides details that we didn't have in June. The important points are:

1. The new rules apply to people seeking to enter a nursing facility or other institution that provides similar services, and to people seeking any kind of Medicaid Home and Community Based waiver services, including the Long Term Home Health Care ("Nursing Home without Walls" or "Lombardi") program, any of the OMRDD waivers (HCBS and Care at Home), the TBI waiver, and the upcoming new Nursing Home Transition and Diversion waiver.

2. The new rules took effect on August 1, 2006, for any asset transfers that occurred after February 8, 2006.

3. In some cases where you transfer assets to an annuity that continues to provide income to you, you may not be subject to a penalty if you designate New York State as the first or second "remainder beneficiary" for the annuity.

4. NY has adopted the maximum federally-allowed value of $750,000 as its home equity asset cutoff threshold. If you have more home equity than that, Medicaid won't pay for any of the listed services under any circumstances, and you can't use medical bills as a "spend-down" to reduce the equity that is counted against you. The DRA says you can use a home equity loan or "reverse mortgage" to do this, but the Directive doesn't mention this.

5. Here is NY's "undue hardship" policy for waiving the penalty period: "We will not limit your ... coverage if we determine that despite your best efforts, ...you are unable to have the transferred asset(s) returned or to receive fair market value for the asset. We will also not limit your ... coverage if we determine that [it] will result in undue hardship for you. We will consider undue hardship to exist if you: (a) meet all other eligibility requirements, and (b) are unable to obtain appropriate medical care without which your health or life would be in danger, or (c) the ... penalty would deprive you of food, clothing, shelter or other necessities of life."

6. Pataki's proposal to apply a 3-year "lookback" for Medicaid State Plan long-term care services was not enacted, nor was his plan to end "spousal refusal" (see State Budget Final: Back from the Brink).

As we said last time, we don't think this issue affects many people who would truly have a problem obtaining long-term care under the new rules. In any case, this is a very complicated issue, so consult an "elder care" attorney before proceeding with any significant asset transfer.

Something's Rotenburg in the State of Massachusetts


Following media revelations of widespread abuse of students with disabilities at the Judge Rotenburg Educational Center this spring, the NYS Board of Regents enacted "emergency" regulations on use of "aversive treatments" that at least temporarily stopped the worst practices at the facility, but which are still a cause for profound concern among disability advocates.

The Rotenburg Center is a residential school in Massachusetts. The NYS Education Department (SED) pays to send about 150 NY students to the program because their home districts allegedly can't serve them adequately. The Center has been notorious for several years for its regular use of "aversives"--most notably, electric shocks--on its students, and advocates in both New York and Massachusetts have been trying to get the place shut down.

The use of aversives has always been controversial. However, the NYS agencies that deal most frequently with severe behavior problems, OMRDD and OMH, have long had clear and highly restrictive policies on their use. While SED acknowledges that there are no valid scientific studies that prove that aversives are effective, it has never had a clear policy on them, and some of them, especially mechanical restraints and time-out rooms, are routinely used in special education programs around the state with little or no special oversight.

Whenever these practices are challenged, some parents come forward with anecdotes of how they have helped their children when nothing else worked. Others report that their children have been harmed and that the procedures were done without their knowledge or permission. These "wars of words" are conducted in front of the media, in the hopes that politicians will pressure educational authorities to take one side or the other. Such a "war" erupted when SED began seriously investigating the Rotenburg Center, and the result was, as it usually is, a compromise.

SED officials visited the Center in May 2006 and observed a pattern of abuses leading to "serious concerns for the health, safety, privacy and dignity" of the students. For example, students were shocked while wet during bathing or showering, and "various injuries to students have been reported"; students were shocked for minor misbehaviors such as swearing at or "nagging" staff; students were shocked while already unable to misbehave further because they were in mechanical restraints (various forms of straps and ropes to immobilize all or parts of the child's body); the staff didn't have enough education or training to be working with children with significant emotional and behavioral problems. In other words, electric shock was used routinely as a cheap substitute for humane and effective, but more expensive, techniques such as "positive behavioral supports", by uneducated aides who were given carte blanche to use it whenever a student annoyed them.

The Regents' emergency regulations took effect on June 23. They prohibit use of aversives in all but the most extreme cases. In order to use them, a time-limited "child specific exemption" must be sought as part of the student's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) via a formal request to the Commissioner of Education, and must be approved by a special state review panel. An exemption can only be approved to address serious self-injurious or violent behavior, only as one part of an individual behavior plan that also includes positive behavioral supports, and only if other well-designed behavioral interventions have been tried and failed. Aversives can never be used purely as punishment, nor can they be applied to a student who is already in mechanical restraints, nor can any automated system be used (such as motion-sensors that deliver a shock if the motion is sufficiently quick or forceful). Schools serving NYS students had to submit written policies to the Commissioner by August 15 detailing how they will meet these requirements, which take effect on October 1.

All of this sounds very reasonable--and it would be, except for how the regulations define "aversive treatment".

Here's the definition: "application of noxious, painful, intrusive stimuli or activities intended to induce pain such as electric skin shock, ice applications, hitting, slapping, pinching, kicking, hurling, strangling, shoving, deep muscle squeezes or other similar stimuli; any form of noxious, painful or intrusive spray, inhalant or tastes; withholding sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities or clothing; contingent food programs that include withholding meals or limiting essential nutrition or hydration or intentionally altering staple food or drink in order to make it distasteful; movement limitation used as a punishment, including but not limited to helmets and mechanical restraint devices; the placement of a child unsupervised or unobserved in a room from which the student cannot exit without assistance; or other similar stimuli or actions."

We'd like to present the fairest possible interpretation here. This is, after all, the list of things that the new regulation prohibits, except when a "child specific exemption" is obtained after school officials get past all the quite narrow hoops that they must jump through to obtain it.

But ... "withholding...bathroom facilities"? "limiting essential nutrition or hydration"?? "punching"??? "kicking"??? "hurling"??!! "strangling"???!!!

We have to assume that, due to the emergency situation, the Regents didn't look closely at these regulations, and didn't realize that they use the same language for what is prohibited and what can be "exempted". The US Supreme Court recently ruled that making prisoners--convicted criminals--with disabilities sit unattended in their own urine and feces is cruel and unusual punishment. We're pretty sure the Regents didn't intend to let school officials apply to be allowed to do it to disabled children with behavior problems. And we're quite sure the Regents don't want teachers to starve students, beat them up, throw them across the room, or strangle them, in order to "treat" their behavior. However, that's how these regulations read.

A public comment period on the regulations ended on August 28, and by the time you read this, the Regents may have already voted on a permanent regulation to follow the emergency rule. We hope that when that happens, not only will the Regents have removed the most vicious, dangerous and brutal "options" from the list of things that can be approved, but that they've removed all of the items that cause pain, including electric shock of any kind.

There are just some things that are beyond the pale. The parents who stand up for these procedures on the grounds that their children have been helped by them are among the most desperate people on earth. After years of being ignored or disappointed by incompetent educational and medical practitioners, who have botched the job with their kids out of ignorance, arrogance, or just simple unwillingness to spend money, they've found somebody who treats them nicely, promises to make all their problems go away, and then takes their kids behind closed doors and terrorizes them so that during parental visits they'll behave better. Desperate people always want to take desperate measures. One of the most basic reasons why we have governments is to stop them from doing it. SED has no business compromising with desperate people on horrific physical abuse of children who, for the most part, lack the intellectual or cognitive ability to even understand what is going on, no matter how much noise those people make or how many politicians they manage to get on their side.
!-- BEGIN: Spitzer Speaks -->

Spitzer Speaks


On July 26, 2006, NYS Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, and his running mate, NYS Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, who is legally blind, took part in a teleconference in New York City that included people with disabilities and their advocates from across the state. The event was arranged by the Disabilities Network of New York City. Here are the highlights:

Spitzer's opening remarks focused on three items: the state's stalled Most Integrated Setting Plan, reconstitution of the NYS Office of Advocate for People with Disabilities (OAPWD), and enforcement of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in New York State.

He said the fact that the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council has failed to produce a plan is an "abdication of responsibility". He said the state should have a plan that specifically addresses the US Supreme Court Olmstead decision's guidelines for ensuring that states do not unnecessarily institutionalize people with disabilities, but he was cautious about what such a plan might achieve given the state's current programs and finances.

Spitzer discussed at length the idea that OAPWD, which was merged with the NYS Commission on Quality of Care (CQC) last year, should be beefed up and, by implication, independent.

He also noted that a federal court ruled the state to be in violation of HAVA for failing to create a plan to provide accessible voting machines to election districts, summarized his involvement in suing county Boards of Election for not providing accessible polling places, and said that HAVA enforcement would continue to be a priority for him.

Paterson's opening remarks covered much of the same ground, but he also said that Timothy's Law, a bill to require health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for physical and mental illnesses or injuries, "must be a priority when we get to Albany."

In response to a question from STIC's Frank Pennisi, Spitzer said he would support passage of a bill to incorporate the ADA's Title II provisions governing conduct by state and local governments into the state Human Rights Law.

Spitzer also answered a question from NYS ADAPT leader Bruce Darling regarding how he would ensure that the needs and voices of people with disabilities will be heard in any Medicaid reform plan. He said that the growth in Medicaid spending "can't continue", that the focus of his plan will be to cut the costs of Medicaid long term care, and that his idea of ensuring that the disability community has input is to strengthen OAPWD. He made no commitment to avoid cutting personal assistance services, and he gave no indication that he would involve people with disabilities who are not members of his administration in his reform planning.

In response to a question about how a Spitzer Administration might use federal "Money Follows the Person" grants to ensure that more people can receive long-term care in their own homes rather than institutions, Senator Paterson gave a long response that began with a claim that the growth in state expenditures has been exceeding growth in revenues, went on to blame Governor Pataki for that state of affairs even though Paterson's Senate had recently overridden billions of dollars worth of Pataki vetoes of such spending, and ended with the statement: "What can people with disabilities expect from a Spitzer-Paterson Administration? REALITY."

STIC does not, and cannot, endorse or oppose specific candidates for political office. We can, and do, analyze public policy statements.

In the period before the 2006 election, Spitzer's and Paterson's opponents provided little opportunity for AccessAbility to report on their positions. However, when asked to comment on Spitzer's remarks, his leading Republican opponent, John Faso, said, regarding the OAPWD-CQC merger, "That was done as a cost-savings measure, so I don't understand why, one year later, he would propose to recreate this bureaucratic structure. It again makes you think about his commitment to containing the state bureaucracy and state spending". And he said that cutting state spending and mandates, and state and local taxes, are his priorities.

It is fair to say that ensuring and increasing the availability and use of integrated, community-based supports for people with disabilities, nearly all of which are funded with Medicaid long-term care dollars, has been the top priority for disability advocates across the state for well over a decade. HAVA enforcement and Timothy's Law have been relatively high-priority items as well, as has a Title II bill. While most disability advocates opposed the OAPWD merger last year, many of them had criticized that office for ineffectualness in the past, and STIC is not aware of any significant grassroots movement calling for its recreation.

Insiders have speculated that a recognized NY disability community leader may be appointed to head a reconstituted OAPWD in a Spitzer Administration. Like all previous holders of that position, any such appointee would be an employee of the governor and could not be regarded as an unfettered spokesperson for the disability community. If Spitzer wanted to make damaging cuts to community-based services, it is more likely that this person would either be compelled to support those cuts or to resign than that s/he would be able to stop them.

In both the Cuomo and Pataki Administrations, people with disabilities used the divided state legislature and personal animosity among the state's top leaders to thwart those governors' most damaging proposals. Spitzer was favored to win in most polls at press time, and some political pundits were speculating that the Democrats could take control of the State Senate. If both of those things happen, in our view, the disability community would have little leverage to block bad legislation. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 made dangerous changes to federal Medicaid rules to let states severely reduce the quantity and quality of integrated community supports for people with disabilities. A one-party government could implement those changes with impunity.

State Budget Final: Back from the Brink


Governor Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Bruno, and Assembly Speaker Silver kept negotiating, amidst lawsuits filed by healthcare unions and lobbyists, after the state budget veto override/constitutional crisis blew up last spring. As a result, the worst remaining healthcare budget cuts were restored for Fiscal Year 06-07. Here they are:

1. The emergency Medicaid "wrap-around" of Medicare Part D for "dual eligibles" will continue to January 1, 2007.

Before that date, NYS Medicaid will continue to pay for any medically necessary medication for "dual eligibles" that Medicaid ordinarily covers and that is not covered by the person's Part D plan. Pharmacists must first try to bill Part D for the medication, and when that's rejected, they can bill Medicaid. They can do this in minutes, before you pick up your prescription.

On January 1, 2007, the emergency coverage for all medications will end. What will remain is the Part D "wrap-around" for "dual- eligibles" that we described last issue. That program covers just four Part D-approved drug classes, plus medically-necessary drugs that are excluded by federal law from basic Part D plans. Within the four classes, it covers drugs that are not on the plan, as well as cases where the plan won't cover the entire prescribed dosage or when a plan's "utilization management" procedures, such as stepped therapy, aren't appropriate for the patient. The same "Part D first" billing procedure must be followed. DOH "expects" patients and their doctors to use the Part D appeals process to get necessary drugs covered, but doesn't appear to be requiring them to exhaust their appeals before it will pay for the drugs. DOH has also clarified that while Part D can't pay for labor or equipment costs for home-infusion medications for "dual eligibles", Medicaid will, and providers need to cooperate to arrange these treatments and bill both sources appropriately.

2. Spousal refusal remains intact.

This is the means by which people seeking Medicaid-funded community- based long term care can exclude their spouses' incomes from the Medicaid eligibility determination process. It is analogous to the "spousal impoverishment" rule for people seeking nursing home placement.

3. No transfer of assets penalties for people seeking Medicaid State Plan long-term care services.

These services include Certified Home Health Aides, Personal Assistance Services, and CDPA.

Note, however, that federal "lookbacks" and penalties do apply to all NY Medicaid waiver long-term care programs, including the new Nursing Home Transition and Diversion waiver once it starts (see "Save Your Assets").

4. Family Health Plus emergency co-pay increases were not implemented.

Co-pays for emergency room visits for people in this program will not increase, and emergency rooms are still required to serve people who can't afford the co-pays.

As part of the deal to restore these programs, Senator Bruno got his pre-election-day school tax rebates. Governor Pataki's charter school increase plan appears to be dead, but it appeared that his TANF ("welfare") proposals were still on the table for the fall session.

Timothy's Law Agreement Promised


Although Timothy's Law wasn't passed before the state legislature adjourned for the summer, advocates were told that the leaders of both houses had reached an agreement with Governor Pataki that it would be passed and signed this fall.

Timothy's Law is a bill to require insurance plans to offer equal coverage for both physical and mental illnesses and injuries ("mental health parity"). Advocates have been working for passage of such a bill in New York for over a decade. (See AccessAbility, Summer 2006 for details.)

However, the version on which the leaders agreed is not the one that the disability community wanted. The agreed-upon version doesn't require employers with 50 or fewer employees that provide health benefits to purchase a plan with mental health parity. It does require insurance companies to offer such plans to those employers, and if the employers choose to buy it, the state must help pay for it. It says that no treatments intended to improve a person's mental health by changing or improving their "appearance" have to be covered. Some people say this means that sex-change hormone therapy is not included. Some sources also say substance abuse treatment is excluded. This may be true; the law says that covered conditions must be "caused by a biological disorder of the brain" or, for children only, may be a "serious emotional disturbance". It's possible to look at substance abuse as a biological disorder of the brain, but the people who insisted on this language may not know that. Post- traumatic stress syndrome, commonly caused by sexual or physical abuse or assault, or military combat, is definitely excluded.

At any rate, an agreement on a promise to pass a bill is all we had at press time, and political promises are not to be trusted. We'll let you know if anything is actually passed and signed.

SELF HELP

Is Your Child on the Right Academic Track?

by Shelley Hubal

Parents beware! Is your child currently working toward his or her IEP diploma? The law provides that every student, including students with disabilities, must be given the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. An IEP diploma is not the equivalent of a high school diploma. With this diploma you cannot, for example, try to enlist in the army or be granted acceptance to a two- year college. An IEP diploma simply certifies that a student attended school and has completed his or her IEP goals. This diploma should not be a goal for students with the potential to meet graduation standards. Students who earn IEP diplomas are however, entitled to stay in school to work toward a Regents or local diploma, or a GED, until the age of 21.

If you are not sure what diploma your child is working toward make sure to check his or her IEP. There should be a section regarding Transcript Information that states what is the Expected Diploma. If your child is on track to earn an IEP diploma and you feel that he or she should be earning a regular diploma, contact your school's Special Education Department at once. Please note that this is not an issue that should be put off until your child enters high school. Waiting until your child is in high school may put him or her in jeopardy of having to go through a frustrating process of catching up with course work. Even if you feel that your child may not have the potential to take and pass Regents exams, seek professional advice. New York State has made some provisions to accommodate for issues with Regents exams.

Ensuring that your child is on the right academic track is extremely important for their future. If you have any concerns please discuss this issue with an education advocate, school principal, teacher or CSE representative.

STIC's Education Advocates are Shelley Hubal (children with developmental disabilities) and Christine Delany (children with all disabilities). Please contact them at (607) 724-211 (voice/TTY).

STIC NEWS

Annual Campaign Cures What Ails You

by Elizabeth Signorotti

Would you like to reduce the stress in your life? Do you want to increase your longevity? How would you like to sleep better, improve your physical and emotional health, and feel a greater sense of control over your own destiny? As summer ebbs and fall descends upon us, we're barraged with reminders to care for ourselves during the upcoming winter season, and STIC can help you do just that in one simple step: give. In his book More Give to Live, Douglas Lawson cites research that shows how giving to others is a win/win situation, where the giver reaps untold health benefits from the act of giving. How can I feel better, look better, and live a more fulfilling life, you ask? That's easy. Just keep your eyes peeled for STIC's 17th. Annual Campaign mailing, which will reach your mailboxes any day now, and give generously when it arrives. It's that simple.

Beyond what giving can do for you, you'll help us in a myriad of ways, but especially in renovating our East Frederick Street building--our new home. As many of you already know, we have to move. Our new building needs a lot of work before we can do that, though, and this is where you come in. We need $2.2 million dollars for the project and have raised only 25% of the necessary funds. So won't you do something nice for yourself (it's proven!), for us, and for all those we serve by making this year's gift a hefty one? All you need to do is fill out the form that accompanies the letter, write a check with many zeros on it, put both in the return envelope, and mail it back to us.

If you wish to give at work, you can designate STIC as your "donor option" for the United Way or SEFA. All you IBMers can do this too, but you may need a supervisor's help to fill out the form. STIC is not funded through the federal employees' Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), so if you work for the Postal Service or other federal agency, please make a direct contribution to STIC instead. If you give us permission, we'll acknowledge your name and gift in this newsletter.

Please help us make this year's annual campaign the most successful yet. We thank you in advance for your generous support. Now, don't you feel better already?

Expression Through the Arts

by Marcie Germond

STIC is excited to introduce "Expression Through the Arts", a new program to benefit children ages 3-21, with or without disabilities. With plans to begin the project early next year, STIC is working in collaboration with families, instructors, and the community to build a program that will infuse the numerous benefits of music and art. The location would be in downtown Binghamton so that identified children may learn from and grow into the local art community. The ideal space would include an area for parent support and information, a gallery area to be incorporated in the First Friday art walks, and studio space for each genre. Special interest classes will be offered to individuals including drumming, graphic arts, and storyboard animation.

Although the program is still in its planning stages, there has been a great deal of support from families and the community. Three instructors for the program have been identified, including Shelley Hubal for art, and Heeyoun Cho and Candie Stiles for music. Each instructor is highly qualified and currently practices and/or teaches in the named areas.

Funding for this project is being sought through the Options for People through Services (OPTS) program of the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). OPTS offers flexible funding for creative and individualized programs based on the desires of those served under OMRDD and their families.

Because this program is consumer-driven, STIC has listened closely to what parents' needs and wants are for their children. Applications for the program, sent to families in October 2005 and June 2006, identified numerous areas to address including but not limited to social skills, communication, fine motor skills, inclusion, sensory skills, productivity, and individuality. With about 60 applications returned, STIC has found a tremendous need for this program. The program is currently at its capacity; however future expansion is possible.

Although there is much work to be done, STIC has welcomed this opportunity to enact the dreams of the people it serves. Expression through the Arts will allow children the creative outlet they need to accomplish many things in their lives. Whether it is learning to communicate, grasping a paintbrush, focusing, or changing behavior patterns, music and art have proven to help individuals of any age or ability. Integration into the art community will establish students within a framework that they can truly feel a part of.

For more information feel free to contact Kami Giglio or Marcie Germond at (607) 724-2111 (voice/TTY).

The Hub Rub

by Maria Dibble

It has been a while since I wrote about our Capital Campaign efforts to raise money for renovations to our East Frederick Street building, so I thought I'd provide an update.

STIC is close to running out of people space, and is already out of parking space, at our current offices at 24 Prospect Avenue in Binghamton. The fact that our programs have expanded to fill this space is a good thing. However, many of you may not know that most of the government agencies that fund our programs will pay the salaries of the people who provide services, and will pay rent costs if we don't own a building, but they won't provide funds for big building renovation projects. That's true even though it would be cheaper for them to do so than to pay rent year after year. So while STIC is growing and has considerable assets, we have very little discretionary cash that can be applied to construction or mortgage loan costs.

Broome County plans to build a transportation hub on Chenango Street, which will involve demolishing our current offices. This has been in the works for quite a while, so STIC had time to buy a new building in preparation for the event. We thought the hub project would move faster than it has, and that we'd already be in our new place by now. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Much of the problem is due to the fact that the hub project will be funded in part with federal dollars, and with federal money come federal strings, regulations, and delay after delay after delay. The county submitted an Environmental Impact Study to federal regulators this spring and is still awaiting final approval. They had a meeting with federal officials in late July to review the document page by page. After a few more changes are made and submitted, the county must put the document out for public comment and hold a public hearing. The earliest that final approval on the study will be received is October. The county cannot begin property acquisition until this occurs.

Why does this affect us so much? Because the county is going to buy our building and parking lot, and we'll need that money to fund a significant portion of our renovation costs, including the construction loan we need to get started.

We've been finalizing the East Frederick St. building design plans with our architect and putting together the documents necessary to go out to bid. Bids are usually good for 60 days, so if we get them back by mid-to-late October, perhaps we can start construction in January and move in by June. It's admittedly an ambitious timetable and a lot has to be coordinated simultaneously to make it work. Once we finalize the price for our old building, we can negotiate a construction loan/mortgage with the bank and we'll be ready to begin the renovations. So much depends on how quickly the feds move.

We estimate that the project will cost $2.2 million, and even factoring in what we'll get for our old building, we haven't raised it all yet. We've received several foundation grants and some corporate support. We're seeking more cash grants, as well as in-kind support such as donations or discounts for paint, flooring, carpeting, other materials, and labor.

As always, you can help. If you know of a company or organization that might support us, please give Maria Dibble a call at (607) 724- 2111 (voice/TTY). If you want to make a donation yourself, that would be great! Just send a check payable to STIC to 24 Prospect Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13901, and indicate that it's for our Capital Campaign. Donations are tax deductible and will be suitably acknowledged. Thanks!

Lights Highlights for Winter Nights

by Maria Dibble

As hard as it is to believe, it's time again to be thinking about STIC's Hometown Holiday Light Festival. This is the sixth year for the event and it promises to be bigger and brighter than ever!

The show, at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, will begin on November 24 and run straight through December 31. We'll be open every night from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The admission price is the same as last year: $8.00 per car or SUV.

Please keep in mind that while the price may seem high to some of you, the event costs us a great deal. Displays are priced anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands, and the bigger and more elaborate they are, the more they cost. Plus, once again this year, the rising price of fuel for the generators that power the lights, is going to significantly cut into the money we raise.

All proceeds of the event will benefit STIC, and only STIC. We will use the money for the renovation project at our East Frederick Street building (see The Hub Rub).

We're doing our best to honor the requests of participants and are adding many more displays and scenes, a good number of them with animation. This year we're taking a different approach. Instead of leasing ten or so slightly larger displays, we've decided to purchase a lot of smaller items that we can combine to create scenes.

For example, we're designing a gingerbread playground. There will be gingerbread kids on a seesaw, a swing and a trampoline, all of which are animated. There will also be a gingerbread house, and a few other miscellaneous pieces to spruce up the scene. There will be several displays near the pond, forming a nice fishing scene, as requested by many of our attendees. Attendees have also greatly enjoyed our penguins, so we'll be adding an animated penguin arch, and a few other penguin displays.

There will be lots more as well, but I don't want to give away all the surprises. Our focus is on having as many lights as possible, to fill in some of the darker areas. We're also hoping to hang some items in the trees, power permitting.

As some of you may know, there isn't nearly enough electrical power at the park, so we supplement it with generators, some of which are kindly loaned to us by NYSEG. Fuel costs for the generators, as well as the cost of displays, are partially covered by other generous sponsors. So far this year we've raised $12,875 in cash as well as much in-kind support.

But we need more!!! The more we raise up front, the more displays we can purchase and the better the show will be. So if you'd like to contribute to the event please contact Elizabeth Signorotti at 724- 2111 (voice/TTY). Ornament Sponsorships start at $50, and the levels go up from there. The larger the sponsorship, the more publicity you get. For those contributing over $1,000, you'll get your name or company name on a sign in front of a display. Plus, all donors will be invited to the VIP Festival Reception and preview night at the park on November 20. So, if you've ever wanted to see your name in lights, here's your chance, and you can support a worthy cause at the same time.

New Faces

Shelley Hubal
I am pleased to be the new Parent Mentor for Education Advocacy and Outreach here at STIC.

Nobody will argue that parenting a child with special needs is not a difficult and demanding job. Learning to navigate the special education system can be particularly grueling. I have come to know this first-hand as the parent of a wonderfully quirky and challenging 8-year-old child who lives with autism. The most valuable tool that I have found in advocating for my son is networking. Other parents have been down the road before you and can guide you on your way. What a relief it is to know that you don't have to do this alone! In fact, you can't possibly do it alone! In addition to being a parent, I am also a former educator and art therapist. I am ready to pass on my knowledge and support in order to help you to improve the education and life of your child.
Marcella Hutsko
I am the new Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC) team member, the Community Outreach Education Coordinator--long title for a fun, exciting job.

My career has been a long journey to get here. I have my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and am currently bringing my education together, working to obtain my Bachelor's degree. Twenty- five years of varied teaching positions and valuable lessons learned from children, parents and colleagues I have encountered along the way add to my resume.

Some of my most recent and memorable experiences have been working for the last few years at Broome County Head Start as a Home Base Teacher and at the same time a classroom teacher and Family Worker for all of the children enrolled in my class. I obtained rich and memorable experiences that I could never have gotten anyplace else to develop my skills to help parents advocate for their children with disabilities. I will enjoy getting out into the many communities and counties we serve, hoping to educate and give valuable information to help better the outlook for young children. I look forward to working with all the great people I have met at STIC.
Ginny Teed
Life is an interesting journey and at times brings challenges that we can embrace and overcome or try to run from. I came to be Housing Coordinator at STIC through a series of uncoordinated (at least by me) steps in this life journey I'm on... and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be here.

I think every workplace has a "feel" to it. The day I walked into STIC to meet with Maria, I felt "family". Thank you all for helping me feel "at home" in Oz.

STICsters Add Life to Relay

by Jeff Rogers

Over the weekend of June 16-17, 2006, 22 STIC staff and family members took part in the 14th. annual Greater Binghamton American Cancer Society Relay for Life at MacArthur Park. The theme of this year's walk was "We are Family". The goal that STIC had for this year's walk was to get our name out in the community, and to help raise awareness about cancer, that cancer can strike everyone no matter your age, financial states, or if you have a disability or not.

The weekend activities started with a Survivors' Dinner at 5 pm, and then at 6 pm there was a survivors' lap. After that the teams walked the track through the night till 12 noon on Saturday. At least one member of the team had to be on the track at all times. This year, due to STIC's involvement, there was a sign-language interpreter at the opening ceremonies, and handicapped parking was also available for the first time.

Each member of the STIC team walked for an hour. Some members walked for longer (Thanks Carolyn, Jill and Jen, Sue and Amanda).

The event highlighted the good works that are being done in the area to help fight cancer. The relay also is a time to remember those who have passed due to cancer. What the relay represents to me is the sprit of all those who are fighting, have fought (win or lose), and those who are the caregivers to them. It's about respect and caring.

I would like to thank all the walkers and their families for taking the time to take part in this event. I would also thank STIC's maintenance manager, Vito, without whom STIC would not have had a tent to relax in.

Plans are in the works for next year's event and STIC's participation. Please save the dates of June 15-16, 2006 for the relay next year, and look for more updates.

A Walk Through the ECDC Library

by Sue Ruff

At the end of June Early Childhood Direction Center staff ordered hundreds of books and tapes. The goal was to develop a resource library for family members, teachers, therapists, service coordinators, and others who live and work with children with disabilities. Over the past two months, as the materials have been arriving, we have been sorting and creating an inventory. It is our goal to make some copies available for loan and others available for research use at our site here at STIC. Once completed, the resource (inventory) list will be available on the STIC website.

A random sampling:

Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber Sandra, an internationally acclaimed ecologist, wrote this book about her pregnancy, weaving details about toxic chemical exposure amid information about how babies develop in the "habitat of the womb." Sandra resides in Tompkins County and we are arranging a future lecture series with her around our six-county service area.

Rolling Along, The story of Taylor and His Wheelchair by Jamee Heelan This beautifully illustrated children's book is written through the eyes of a youngster with cerebral palsy. His first wheelchair opens new opportunities for his independence and new avenues for shared activities with his nondisabled twin.

The Dot by Peter Reynolds A story told in pictures, words, and braille about a little girl who discovers her muse for art. Several other brailled books have also been purchased.

Handsigns by Kathleen Fain This sign language alphabet book is one of several books the ECDC Library has acquired that teach sign language. We have several tapes and DVDs as well, including a tape of "Sleeping Beauty", performed by deaf actress Rita Corey.

Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm A quick read, this book by a parent describes in easy-to-understand terms the unique ways children on the autism spectrum perceive and function in the world.

The Inclusive Early Childhood Classroom: Easy Ways to Adapt Learning Centers for All Children by Patti Gould and Joyce Sullivan A guidebook for making classroom modifications for children with a range of different disabilities, this book features good illustrations, creative ideas, and accurate descriptions to make classrooms and activities accessible for all children.

The Incredible 5-Point Scale by Kari Buron and Mitzi Curtis A book of strategies to assist children with autism to understand social interactions and control their emotional responses.

Quick-Guides to Inclusion by Michael Giangreco We have all three guidebooks, with chapters on building partnerships with parents, creating positive behavioral supports, adapting curriculum, administration in inclusive schools, friendships, etc. Our total section of books on inclusion is large and varied.

Curriculum and Instruction for All Learners edited by Beverly Rainforth and Judy Kugelmass Rainforth is a Binghamton University professor and former STIC Board member, and many contributors to this book are from our region. It's full of ideas about building classroom community, collaboration, and learning experiences for all children.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

SAVE THE DATE!!
2006 NYAIL Conference
and Disability Caucus


October 30 - November 1
Desmond Hotel and Conference Center
Albany, NY

Co-sponsored by the New York State Independent Living Council
and
New York Association on Independent Living

Featuring - Workshops and Expo 2006

Register by October 2 for cheaper rates

For more information and how to register, contact:

NYAIL
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, Suite 806A
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 465-4650
Fax: (518) 465-4625
Email: info@ilny.org
Website: www.ilny.org


Be Determined to Be Yourself

by Kathy Sas

Self Determination/Consolidated Support Services (SD/CSS) is an alternative to OMRDD's traditional HCBS waiver services including Residential Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Respite Services, and Supported Employment Services, as well as an alternative to group homes. CSS can replace residential services, day services or both. The CSS Plan is a person-centered plan that is unique to an individual's needs, wants, and dreams; it allows the individual to determine the hours of service, the service providers that are hired, and their wages and job descriptions. The CSS Plan allows for flexibility in the delivery of service that is not typical of most agency-provided services. It lets individuals actively manage their own budgets and authorize payment for the supports and services that they have chosen to receive.

SD/CSS began as a pilot project and is a relatively new service available to people who have OMRDD eligibility. Statewide there are more than 90 plans approved for consumers, and by the time you read this, 10 approved plans in the Broome DDSO. In August, 6 new plans and 7 new interest statements were submitted locally. In the past, it may have taken more than a year to go through the SD process and receive approval for a plan. People on both the state and local levels are working to streamline the process to six months.

A Circle of Support is essential to the application for Self Determination through CSS. It is a group of people (2 or more) comprised of family members, friends and/or professionals selected by the individual to develop and implement the CSS plan as well as to insure safeguards are in place. The Service Coordinator can assist the individual and the Circle through the following steps in the CSS process:
  1. Meet with the DDSO (Developmental Disabilities Service Office) representative.

  2. Complete an interest statement that briefly outlines what is wanted from CSS.

  3. The interest statement is then presented to the Self Determination Committee for approval. This committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm.

  4. Usually, a Start-up Support Broker is selected to assist the circle by conducting person-centered planning meetings; developing the CSS Plan; creating a budget for the CSS Plan; submitting the plan for approval; and follow-through till approval is received from Albany. (A Start-Up Broker list is available from your DDSO representative or from www.sanys.org.)

  5. Meet with the Fiscal Employer Agent (FEA) prior to the effective date of the CSS Plan. The FEA is a not-for-profit corporation that has a contract with a DDSO to perform billing, payments, reporting and employment related functions for people using the Self Determination Process. The people hired by an individual become "employees" of the FEA but will be paid from the individual's budget.

As a parent of a young woman who has autism, my daughter continues to work with some of the same staff under her CSS Plan; these staff receive 10-40% more in wages than they previously did. In our case, happier staff equals a happier daughter whose community inclusion has more than tripled in the last 4 months.

The following sources are available for more information on SD/CSS:

Self-Advocacy Association of New York State: www.sanys.org. They have additional information, individual stories and links for a list of DDSO liaisons and Start-Up Support Brokers.

Broome DDSO: contact Garry Naylor or Judith Pease (607) 770-0211.

STIC: Call 724-2111(voice/TTY) and ask about Self Determination.

unclassifieds


Jazzy 1113 power wheelchair, grey/black, 3 y.o., good condition, elevating leg rests. $1,000 obo. (607) 656-7351 or 206-3044, after 2 pm.

1982 Plymouth Voyager van, great condition, blue paint. Wheelchair lift in rear. $1,000 obo. (607) 656-7351 or 206-3044, after 2 pm.

La-z-boy Luxury-Lift power recliner, like new, non-smoking home, $575, delivery available - Richie 570.756.2200 x 212 or richie@rlrobb.com

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Fall 2006
Issue No. 84