February 4, 2021
2012 CP Logo
CP State News
We're here for you! ️
Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting now due on Fridays, not COB Wednesday
The following message was received by
This message is for OPWDD Providers who are currently required to complete weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting for their certified residential sites by close of business each Wednesday. Beginning this week (that began with Monday, February 1, 2021) surveys are due on Friday, February 5, 2021. Each week going forward, survey responses will be due on Fridays.
If you have a site or sites included in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care (LTC) Program, daily reporting will be required for those sites beginning on Thursday, February 4, 2021 as noted in the email sent earlier this week to those providers.
Any questions related to this should be emailed to:   covidreporting@opwdd.ny.gov
Multi-Agency COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting: Data Entry for Day and Waiver Services
Earlier today, OPWDD provided training on COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting for Certified Site Based Day Programs and Waiver Services. For providers that could not attend the training, OPWDD will send survey links to your agency’s dedicated mailbox today. The links will be for all Day Services as well as Waiver Services who are required to report. You will receive an individual link for each site based certified day program and for each county that an applicable waiver program is operated in.
Agencies must complete the initial survey no later than COB tomorrow, Friday February 5, 2021. Subsequent weekly reporting will be required COB every Friday. Completion of the COVID-19 vaccination reporting is necessary for all of the above programs to facilitate vaccinations for provider staff who work in OPWDD programs.
OPWDD is revising the Powerpoint used in todays training and it will be sent to all providers no later than noon Friday, February 5, to be used for reference.
If you have additional questions after reviewing the Powerpoint, please email covidreporting@opwdd.ny.gov
New Justice Center Abuse Prevention Resources
The Justice Center has the following new abuse prevention resources available on their website:
  1.  Code of Conduct Train the Trainer Sessions: The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has teamed with the New York State Justice Center to develop an interactive train-the-trainer curriculum designed to assist organizations teach the New York State Justice Center's Code of Conduct. The objective of the curriculum is to ensure that staff who support people served under the jurisdiction of the New York State Justice Center  understand the Code of Conduct as a framework of professional conduct. This interactive 3-hour webinar provides participants with tools they can share with new and seasoned staff to prepare them to understand, utilize, and practice the Code of Conduct. The sessions will be offered in April, May and June. Participants in this training should include trainers, quality assurance administrators, human resource professionals, and anyone that will be able to bring this curriculum to life in their respective organizations/agencies. To find out more and register for one of the sessions, click here.
  2.  New Spotlight on Prevention Toolkits: The information contained in the Justice Center’s Spotlight on Prevention toolkits is offered as a resource for provider agencies and staff. These resources are intended to be used as a guide that may be modified as needed to apply to particular types of programs and specific age groups of vulnerable people. Recently we added a toolkit on the safety benefits of GPS devices and updated the dangers of caregiver fatigue toolkit. Spotlight on Prevention Toolkits can be found on the Justice Center website and by clicking here.
CP State Training Series:
Free series on community building for people with I/DD continues February 17
CP State continues Dr. Al Condeluci's series on community building on Wednesday, February 17,at 10 a.m. with "Understanding the Social Infrastructure."
This session will go over strategies and actions that can soften the social infrastructure, the places
and spaces where people engage in community, in welcoming all people.
Objectives
  • Social infrastructure will be identified and discussed
  • Assessing the architectural and attitudinal aspects
  • Softening strategies will be introduced
Community building sessions continue through March:
  • 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 FREE sessions through its DDPC Rural Advocacy Grant.
If you would like to participate, please contact Tim Ferguson at TFerguson@cpstate.org or 518-436-0178.
Use CP State's one-click advocacy tool to tell your representatives New York must ensure priority vaccination for New Yorkers with I/DD across all levels of support and living environments.
Get started at www.cpstate.org/advocacy. Please share this link on your website and other platforms.
Thank you!
Metro Community Health Centers awarded the Special Olympics NY 2020 Golisano Health Leadership Award
Congratulations to Metro Community Health Centers, Nazareth College, and Albany Med for earning the 2020 Golisano Health Leadership Award! These local partners have gone above and beyond to support athletes with disabilities, and we couldn't be more thankful.
OPWDD Series:
Black People With I/DD: Making History
February is Black History Month, and OPWDD is commemorating the month by celebrating “Black People With Developmental Disabilities: Making History."
The OPWDD website will share profiles of:
  • Chester Finn, Special Assistant at OPWDD and nationally recognized disability rights advocate who was recently appointed to the National Commission on Quality and Leadership (CQL) board of directors;
  • Michelle King, Lead vocalist and guitar player with the musical group Flame;
  • Shameka Andrews, Founder of Disability Empower Consulting and community outreach coordinator at the Self-Advocacy;
  • Shannell Davis, Disability advocate and founder of The Underground, a self-advocacy organization for people of color; and
  • Ketrina Hazell, Motivational speaker, self-advocate, and Ms. Wheelchair 2018
CP State Training Series:
Dating and relationships for people with disabilities
CP State is honored to host a series on navigating dating and relationships for people with disabilities. These FREE sessions will begin on February 23 and are presented by Kathy O'Connell, Director of Radiant Abilities. Radiant Abilities provides resources and products for people with disabilities in the areas of self-esteem, relationships, and personal empowerment.
If you would like to participate, please contact Tim Ferguson at TFerguson@cpstate.org or 518-436-0178.
Virtual Seminar Series with The Center for Discovery
The Center for Discovery is thrilled to release new topics and additional dates for its Integrated Arts Virtual Seminar Series. Now through March 2021, join The Center’s Integrated Arts team for 30 minute virtual seminars, followed by a live question and answer session. 
For those who are unable to attend live, the recorded seminars will be made available upon request.
The Virtual Seminar Schedule is as follows:
  • Friday, February 5: The Show Must Go On: Creating a Dramatic Arts Program for Individuals with Complex Conditions
  • Friday, February 12: No Limits: Outdoor Adventures for All
  • Friday, February 19: MoveIt: Creative Exercise Programs at TCFD
  • Friday, February 26: A Chance to Dance: Creating an Accessible Dance Program
  • Friday, March 5: Planting with a Purpose: Farming & Horticulture
  • Friday, March 12: RESSST: Relaxation Entailing Stretching, Sound, Storytelling, & Tactile Input
  • Friday, March 19: Maple Sugaring: The Sweet Success of Teamwork
  • Friday, March 26: Seasonal Changes: Marking & Celebrating the Passing of Time
CP State and SAP Litmos have your training needs covered
CP State is proud to provide the SAP Litmos online learning platform to provide efficient and thorough training for Affiliate staff.
Whether you need to onboard staff more efficiently or are looking for a suite of COVID-19 related classes, we provide top-level professional development courses within our online learning library!
For more information contact:
Tim Ferguson
Director of Online Learning
CP of NYS | cpstate.org