December 23, 2020
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CP State News
Happy Holidays! ️
EVV clarification from DOH
As you know, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is required for in home Com Hab and respite effective Jan. 1, 2021. NYS DOH has issued some DRAFT clarifications that are expected to be formally released by the state in the near future.  
In addition to the DOH clarifications, OPWDD has said that remote services (day hab, com hab, and telehealth) do not require EVV.
OPWDD offering training on Assessment of Ability to Provide Consent for the COVID-19 Vaccine
This training is available in the Statewide Learning Management System.
As part of an ongoing effort to ensure timely access to the COVID-19 vaccine, training course is being shared as a resource for clinical and administrative staff in order to provide guidance on consent needs and related capacity to consent assessment.
Register for the training in SLMS. If you need to create an account, instructions can be found on our website or by selecting this link: Create SLMS Account. If you already have an account, click here to enroll.
Final adoption of CSIDD regulations
OPWDD has adopted as final, regulations regarding crisis intervention services (CSIDD). This regulation is effective as of January 6, 2021 and will appear in the State Register on that date.
Attn: Execs, Finance, and Education committee members
Preschool/School Age SED COVID-19 Pandemic Cost Reimbursement Survey
CP State has been working with the State Education Department (SED) to establish a process that will ensure that all approved preschool and school age programs for students with disabilities, that are subject to the rate-setting methodology, are timely and appropriately reimbursed for the additional costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. These costs are necessary to meet health and safety requirements to provide education services to students with disabilities.
A review of information from a number of approved programs clearly indicates that the additional costs of school reopening and maintaining health and safety guidelines compliance is significant. The approved programs cannot bear the financial burdens of these unforeseen costs given current reimbursement levels and rate setting parameters. In order to advocate with the State Education Department for a process that will ensure that all approved preschool and school age programs for students with disabilities are timely and appropriately reimbursed for additional COVID-19 pandemic costs, please complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SEDReimbSurvey by January 8,2021. 
Information provided to SED will be aggregated and no program will be identified.
Please contact thamel@cpstate.org or bcrosier@cpstate.org with any questions.
CP State continues series on community building for people with I/DD
On the heels of Dr. Al Condeluci's highly informative session on seclusion and loneliness in the I?DD population, CP State is proud to announce a continuation of the series, with sessions scheduled through March!
Upcoming FREE sessions include:
  • Building Community through Social Capital – Wednesday, January 20 @ 10 a.m.
  • Community Mapping – Wednesday, February 3 @ 10 a.m.
  • Understanding the Social Infrastructure – Wednesday, February 17 @ 10 a.m.
  • MACRO CHANGE: The key Ingredient for Community Success– Wednesday, March 3 @ 2:30 p.m.
  • Session 6 (TBA) – Tuesday, March 16 @ 10 a.m.
  • Session 7 (TBA) – Thursday, March 18 @ 10 a.m.
CP State is offering these sessions through its DDPC Rural Advocacy Grant. They are free for all CP State Affiliates.
If you would like to participate, please contact Tim Ferguson at TFerguson@cpstate.org or 518-436-0178.
Dr. Siasoco named Chair of Special Olympics Health Advisory Council
Dr. Vincent Siasoco, chair of the CP of NYS Medical Directors Council has been named chair of the Special Olympics Statewide Health Advisory Council. Dr. Siasoco will be working with this group which has goals similar to CP State’s Medical Directors Council which advocates for access and equity in health services for people with IDD.
Erik Geizer appointed CEO of the Arc New York
The Arc New York has announced the appointment of Erik Geizer as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2021.
Geizer has been with the Arc New York for eight years and is currently the Deputy Executive Director and Corporate Compliance Officer. His appointment coincides with the retirement of current Arc Executive Director Mark van Voorst, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Gov: Hospital capacity still a major concern
Governor Cuomo at his press briefing today Governor stressed that managing hospital capacity is still a major concern for New York. A hospital must alert New York State if it is within 21 days from 85% capacity to give the State three weeks to assess the situation. No hospital in the State has yet to give a capacity notice.
COVID-19 Vaccination resources
In the past few days, there have been many informational materials issued for administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine:

All the materials about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the OPWDD COVID-19 webpage. As new guidance becomes available related to the vaccination process, it will also be posted on that page. Click here to sign up for OPWDD COVID-19 updates.
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