IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates and location previously advertised for this conference have changed. This event will now take place on October 17 & 18, 2022 at The Gideon Putnam.

The New York Alliance is excited to announce the dates for our Living & Working in the Community Conference taking place in-person on October 17 & 18, 2022 at The Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs, NY. Registration and more information is coming soon.

Formerly the Annual Fiscal Intermediary/Self-Direction Summit, the Living & Working in the Community Conference will bring a new and expanded focus to innovative practices in housing and employment, as well as Self-Direction. As always, the event will feature information sharing and best practices occurring in New York State.

Dates & Times:
Monday, October 17, 2022 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 9:00am - 4:00pm

Hotel reservations

Attendees are requested to call 866-746-1077 to make reservations. Refer to New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation Block Code: 9NH3QF.
Rooms are $149 per night. The block of rooms is for the evening of Monday, October 17^th.

Working Agenda

Monday, October 17, 2022

3:00pm - 4:00pm Four Concurrent Sessions

1. Providing Innovative Community Services
Kasondra Fox, In Flight
Greg Krom, In Flight
Karen Niedermeyer, Therap Services

In Flight, Inc will present how they are navigating EVV and NY regulatory changes in their Community Services through use of their Electronic Health Record, Therap Services. In Flight staff will discuss their successes and challenges with EVV, including tips on what has worked well. In Flight's document management for community supports will also be reviewed, including the differences in managing community supports vs. traditional supports and what works best for them. Therap Services will assist in discussion. (FI/Self Direction)

2. Self-Directed SEMP
James Scutt, People, Inc.
Kelly Hawkins, People, Inc.
Katie Page, HHA Exchange

We will continue a conversation on why more self-directed SEMP is not occurring in New York. We will begin by providing an overview of what People Inc has been able to accomplish specific to self-directed SEMP and how the departments have worked together to make is a success. Saying that, it important to begin a conversation on the barriers faced moving forward for all providers. While there is no solution, we can review  things that are working and what barriers need to be overcome to make self-directed SEMP more widely available. Finally, we will provide a more national perspective of self-directed SEMP and how  other states are doing with it. (Self-Direction)

3. Housing Tools that Work!
Donna Maxon, NYS-OPWDD Authorized Independent Broker & NYS Certified Housing Navigator
Semra Kayabas, Block Institute, Inc, & NYS Certified Housing Navigator
Marieta Austin, Uniting Disabled Individuals, Inc & NYS Certified Housing Navigator

This session will explore three tools that demonstrate success as a person begins their journey towards independent housing.

1. Independent Housing Forum: We will share the mission and goals for the Downstate Independent Housing Forum. The mission of the Downstate Independent Housing Forum is to offer information, and support to PWD, families and professionals who are interested to develop, implement, and maintain sustainable independent housing plans. The Forum can also provide support for advocacy of issues related to Independent Housing and can refer questions and requests for support to people within the network. Although this forum was developed to provide support to people in the downstate region, we have had participants attend from counties around the State.
2. Network Facilitation: We will share the steps to the development, implementation and maintenance of a strong, committed, and lively Circle of Support or “Network” which increases the sustainability of all Independent Housing Plans as human resources are always the most valuable. Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network, (PLAN) has created a system that is used widely in Canada and its mission is to help secure the future for their relative with a disability and to promote peace of mind.
3. Network Facilitators partner with families and people with disabilities to build Personal Support Networks to last a lifetime. At the heart of the Network lies friendships. We believe relationships are the foundation of a good life. Examples of Network Facilitation being done in New York to create Personal Support Networks will be shared.
4. Housing Navigation: We will share the role of a certified Housing Navigator as it is a focused outcome oriented and time limited service that helps people with I/DD who need or want to move to community-based housing to obtain and maintain stable, long-term housing of their choice. (Housing)

4. Supporting Retirement through Community Engagement
Celina Cavalluzzi, Goodwill NYNJ

As the people we support age, many express a desire to "retire" from traditional day / employment services but want to remain connected to their friends & the community. This presentation will explore ways to honor their desire by tailoring Dayhab and Community Hab services to meet these needs. Using Person Centered Planning people can identify new interests, hobbies, and community connections they want to explore, and the level of support needed to remain engaged and active. Utilizing community connections including senior centers, free fitness and art programs and virtual services will be discussed as well as the importance of maintaining relationships. By listening to the people we support services can be redesigned to support them in remaining engaged in the community at their own pace. (Other/Retirement)

4:00pm - 6:00pm Networking & Cocktail Party Sponsored by eVero

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

9:00am - 10:30am Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentation

Keynote: What More is Possible? How might we strengthen our capacity to support people to thrive as they live and work in the community?
Beth Mount, Author & Creative Genius

Person centered practice has developed over many years of struggle to invent innovative supports that create possible for people to live their lives. Now more than ever we see the fruits of this work as well as the gaps we fall into. We will revisit some of the core values and critical practices related to passionate person centered and self-directed work.  We will honor and explore fresh perspectives for our work going forward. We will reflect upon ways to strengthen our purpose and practice so that truly beneficial supports will enable many more to belong in real communities that work better for everybody.

10:45am - 11:45am General Session
NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Update

Chad Colarusso, Self-Direction Statewide Coordinator, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Julia Kelly, Acting Director, Employment and Meaningful Community Activities, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

11:45am - 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm - 2:00pm Four Concurrent Sessions

5. IGNITE: 6 Keys to Running a Successful Self-Direction Program
Diane Lagoumis, East End Disability Associates
Brittany Hoosier, AIM Services, Inc.
Casey Fallon Donovan, eVero

Self-Direction is leading the way in providing truly unique services and opportunities based on the key philosophies  of self-determination, person centered planning and flexibility to make dreams become reality.    Fiscal Intermediaries must successfully navigate today's service environments to continue to lead into the future, but if services are not built  on a strong and solid foundation, future innovation will only flicker and burn out. Let us secure the foundations for success so innovative logs  can IGNITE this fire to continue to  burn brightly with new opportunity far into the future.

This Panel Presentation will provide insight and examples of success within the framework of how to IGNITE your program to grow and maintain success. We will cover topics within the following 6 areas:

• Increase Customer Satisfaction
• Guarantee Compliance
• Normalize Cash Flow
• Implement Caseload Efficiencies
• Thrive on Collaboration
• Execute Emergency Response Plans

Panelists from different perspectives for providing Self-Directed Services will discuss similarities and differences in the structure of their programs, use of software, data analytics, workflow efficiencies, navigating changing landscapes, and spark engaging dialogue in a round table discussion. Leading to the future does not happen by accident nor in a vacuum and this panel gives opportunity for everyone to share ideas to better build the foundation to the future. (FI/Self Direction)

6. What should an FI be doing about Housing?
Trish Calandra, Master Housing Navigator, Region 5
John Maltby, Co-Director, NY Housing Resource Center & Consultant, NY Alliance

Helping people to create a home that will provide them with a safe, healthy and rewarding environment requires teamwork. The FI is an essential member of that team, bringing financial expertise, practical experience of benefits and fiscal realism to bear. This presentation will focus on the housing process from the initial ideas and hopes that a person and their family may have, through the interaction of benefits, income, subsidies, access and affordability, a long-term sustainable housing solution. Trish Calandra brings a wealth of experience as a parent, as a Self-Direction broker and Master Housing Navigator. (Housing)

7. Saying Yes While Maintaining Compliance - Document Retention to Support Community Classes
Kristen Donaphin, Independent Support Services
Tori Wesolowski, Independent Support Services

The purpose of this proposal is to share ISS strategies and methodologies for document retention in the realm of supporting our Participants attending community classes. We have reviewed over 2500 unique classes that our participants have requested reimbursement for. Because of the high volume of classes, we have developed a system to streamline the process. We have shared our strategies with our local FI community in Long Island and would like to extend it to the broader Self Direction provider network, advocates, and stakeholders. In allowing others to take a look into our methods we hope to facilitate a broader conversation on how to streamline the document gathering and class approval process throughout the state. (Community Classes)

8. Individualized Day Supports: How to Use Day Services Funding in a Way that Centers Choice and Community Connections
Daphne Bruno, Job Path
Cerezmy Salcido, Job Path

Day services do not have to be an either/or proposition. Self-direction allows people to choose their own path but requires managing staff. Traditional programs do not offer the same degree of individualization. Our Community Connections program provides an alternative. The program helps people forge strong connections as they volunteer, work out at a gym, take classes--or attend college. People have their own schedules developed with our staff using a discovery process. Services can happen in the evening and on weekends as well. Many combine part-time work and day supports. We match people each person with a DSP and offer specialized groups for those who chose to participate. We will describe how the program works and funded. People receiving support will share their stories. (FI/Self Direction/Employment)

2:15pm - 3:15pm Four Concurrent Sessions

9. Inclusion Benefits All: An Employment Journey
Karleen Haines, Partnership Solutions/Care Design NY
Ackeem Duggan, Self Advocate, NYPD

We will provide an overview of Ackeem’s journey, as he seeks to continue his successful path to independence & community involvement. We will explore how those who supported him along the way made a difference & how he gained the confidence to seize opportunities, or to create them where they did not exist. We will share statements from his employers & others on the importance of recruiting, hiring, & maintaining a workforce inclusive of those with I/DD. General advocacy efforts & the future of employment for neurodiverse individuals, in the country & in New York will be discussed. Presenters will discuss the significance of social determinants of health; how overall physical/mental health & access to care are crucial to well-being. (Employment)

10. Person Centered Approaches in Housing
Stefanie Silvestri, Access Supports for the Living

Access: Supports for Living serves 125 people who live in their own apartments and are receiving OPWDD supports. With collaborative planning across a circle of support with the Person at the Center, we will share creative approaches to helping people be successful living in the community for the first time and ongoing. (Housing)

11. Working Together: Unique Liaison Roles United for the Purposes of Supporting Participants and Their Self-Hired Staff
Liz Luchsinger, Independent Support Services
Mike DeJoy, Independent Support Services

Independent Support Services is the only solely self-directing Fiscal Intermediary in New York State. Our focus and passion for the success of the self-directed model of service is evident in the extra attention dedicated to customer service with two unique additional support positions introduced over the past 5 years - Family and Staff Liaisons.

This presentation by the Family and Staff Liaisons will include a power point and discussion followed by Q & A addressing the collaboration of these two unique positions at ISS. Shared information will include how these positions join together with internal departments to assist in supporting our participants, parent/advocates, circles, and their staff, while also strengthening the communications between departments within the agency. (Self-Direction)

12. Addressing Diversity Issues within Self-Direction
Michele Quigley, Meaningful NY

Meaningful NY received two grants from the NY community trust to address diversity challenges within Self-Direction. The presentation will discuss the findings from the first-year grant activities and the plan for the second-year activities. (Other)

3:30pm-4:00pm Closing Remarks

Conference Sponsors