Week Starting – December 20, 2024 Note: To attract PCA’s to Consumer Job Searches, the following link http://edlitcher.hypermart.net/ListofAvailableJobs.txt has been added to both Craigslist Advertisements https://newyork.craigslist.org See the recently modified advertisement. Search: (consumerdirectedservices) - in Jobs – for the PCA Advertisement Search: (consumerdirectedservices) - in Services – for the Consumer Advertisement Hopefully this will help. Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) Scope and Procedures https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/adm/11adm6.htm List of CDPAP Provider Contract Awardees https://www.health.ny.gov/funding/rfo/20039/docs/awardees_names_and_counties.pdf Intro Statement – Pages 01 Consumer Listing – Pages 03 PCA Information – Pages 05 PCA Candidates – Page 06 Articles – Pages 13 Finding a New PCA - DIA Information -Page 23 Able News – Page 24 Independent Living Centers – Page 25 Alternative Resources - Page 26 Find My (FI) - Questions to consider when changing your (FI) CDPAP Provider - Page 27 On September 16, 2013, the New York State Department of State accepted the Certificate of Incorporation submitted by Consumer Directed Services, Inc. under section 404 of the Not-for-Profit Law. A certificate that included the following statement: We are pilgrims on a journey; we are travelers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. Excerpt from - The Servant Song- Richard Gillard (1974) To assist Consumers with the problem of finding new Personal Care Assistants, Consumer Directed Services, Inc. created a FREE Employment Information Bridge between Consumers and Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Candidates. Consumers / Advocates To search for a PCA Candidate, complete the form at the following link Consumer / Advocate - Search for a PCA Candidate. When your information is received it will be enrolled in the email database, and posted on the website for a month, distributed to all of the members of the Consumer Directed Services database (Consumers, PCA Candidates, and a variety of other Employment Resources), and published in the Consumer Directed Services Newsletter for a month. To just add your information to the Consumer Directed Services database, a Consumer or Advocate need only send me an email to elitcher@consumerdirectedservices.com and include your name and the text Newsletter Request. When your information is received it will be enrolled in the email database and you will begin receiving future issues of the Consumer Directed Services Newsletter and other emails related to the program's goal. Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Candidates To include your information in the Newsletter and email database, complete the form at the following link: Look for a PCA Job (FREE) - New York City Metro. When your information is received, your information will be published in the Newsletter for a month, and you will begin receiving future issues of the Consumer Directed Services Newsletter and other emails related to the program's goal. Also, to access our list of Currently Available Jobs, please use the following link: JOBS Previously distributed Newsletters have been archived on the Consumer Directed Services home page. Finally, if you have any questions, comments, or recommendations about this service, or should you wish to remove your address from this list, please contact send an email to elitcher@consumerdirectedservices.com. Best Regards Ed Litcher Consumers Searching Consumers Wanted: For an Employment Information Bridge to work it requires traffic to flow in both directions. If you are in a Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, you will eventually need to find a new Home Care Worker. And up to now you may have relied upon Friends, Family, an Agency or you may have chosen to put your own advertisement on the Internet (See the list of Internet resources on the PCA Employment Agency page of this newsletter). Therefore, to help you find the PCA Candidate of your choice, I urge you, to do everything you ordinarily do, to consider an Internet resource and to try www.ConsumerDirectedServices.com. Finally, if you try Consumer Directed Services, please spread the word. Tell your friends and associates about this FREE service. Joann Vitiello () on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 17:21:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neighborhood Name: Coney Island City, Town, County or Borough: Brooklyn New York Available Transportation: Subway, Bus, Train, Auto Phone: 718-372-8425 Best Time: 11am-6pm E-mail: joseann1724@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Consumer Age: Older than 70 Consumer Gender: Female Payroll Method: Agency Type of Candidates: Personal Care / Home Health Candidate Experience: Seniors, Wheelchairs, Languages Description of Languages: English Preferred Candidate Gender: Female Required Documentation: Social Security Number, Proof of Identity, Recommendations Hours: 12 Days: 4 days Start Time: 8am to 8pm Pay Per Hour: $20.00 Comments: Some form of lifting is required. Brenda Posner () on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 14:33:55 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public E-mail: bposner15@gmail.com Consumer Age: Between 51 and 70 Consumer Gender: Male Payroll Method: Agency Type of Candidates: Personal Care / Home Health Candidate Experience: Quadriplegia, Wheelchairs, Lifters, Languages Description of Languages: English Required Documentation: Social Security Number, Proof of Identity Days: 3.5 Description of Schedule: Thursday afternoon, Friday through Sunday Comments: 40 hours weekly paid through CDPAP approximately $22 an hour for Thursday afternoon through Sunday Alexander Herald () on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 15:35:58 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neighborhood Name: Williamsburg City, Town, County or Borough: Brooklyn Available Transportation: Tramway, Subway, Bus, Train Phone: 929-461-4594 E-mail: Alex13350926@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Consumer Age: Between 31 and 50 Consumer Gender: Male Payroll Method: Agency Type of Candidates: Personal Care / Home Health Candidate Experience: Paraplegia, Quadriplegia Preferred Candidate Gender: No Preference Required Documentation: Social Security Number, Proof of Identity Hours: 12 Days: 2 Start Time: 8 a.m. Pay Per Hour: 18 PCA Information Consumer Directed Services is not an Agency and makes no representation (positive or negative) regarding the appropriateness of any PCA Candidate, or the terms and conditions of any employment relationship. All employment and payment decisions are the exclusive responsibility of the Consumer. Although there is no specific training, certification or licensure prerequisite, beyond that required or provided by the Consumer, if you are seeking employment from a Consumer who is receiving their service authorization from a New York State Medicaid funded Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, the Consumer is permitted to consider your employment only if you can pass ALL the following New York State reviews. 1. You are an adult of at least 18 years of age. 2. The Consumer is not your spouse or (if the Consumer is younger than 21) is not your child. 3. You do not live in the home of the Consumer (unless their service requires it). 4. You are not the Designated Representative (Surrogate) of the Consumer. 5. You do not have any financial control over the Consumer. 6. Your information must pass a Federal and State Government Exclusion List Review. 7 You have a verifiable Social Security number, and the qualified documents needed to prove that you are eligible to work in the United States. The State of New York also requires each Personal Care Assistant to complete a Health Assessment BEFORE you begin work. The Health Assessment includes: - A basic physical exam - blood pressure, height, weight, etc. - A TB (Tuberculosis) Screen (PPD) or a chest x-ray if the test is positive or if the test would not be appropriate - A Measles and Rubella Screen or Vaccine - A drug test of Urine (forensic toxicology) - Documentation of vaccination against influenza, or wearing of a surgical or procedure mask during the influenza season In addition to the above New York State requirements, the municipality in which the Consumer lives may also impose additional health assessments or legal reviews. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program your Consumer chooses will require the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (Consumer / Personal Care Assistant Agreement) to clarify the employment relationship, and they may require other documents to help them effectively complete their role as the Consumers Fiscal Intermediary. PCA Candidates Kelly Ray () on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 13:31:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan Phone: 646-946-3100 Best Time: anytime E-mail: odussean@protonmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: Yes Consumer/Surrogate References Available: Yes Years Employed with a Consumer/Surrogate: 2+ years Enrolled with a CDPAP: Yes CDPAP Agency Name(s): Chinese American Experience: Children, Young Adults, Seniors, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Special Diets, Languages, Other Description of Special Diets: Renal diet Description of Languages: English & French Description of Other: Autism Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity Certificate/License: Driver's License Hours per Week: 35 Days per Week: Open Preferred Start Time: 9 am Days I Would Like to Work: Open I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: No Target Salary Per Hour: open Comments: I worked for 2 years with a senior couple, doing cooking, light housekeeping, and providing assistance with medication reminders, dressing and doing exercises for PT. The gentleman was recovering from pacemaker surgery; his wife has dementia. I am able to assist with transferring to medical appointments, take notes at the appointment and provide companionship while respecting the client’s privacy. I have also worked with an Autistic young woman in her early 20s for the past few months. Meivis Salas () on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 11:10:25 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 1824 Clinton Ave Phone: 929 474 5424 E-mail: elimeis07@gmail.com Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Young Adults, Seniors, Wheelchairs Description of Languages: Español Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity, Recommendations Certificate/License: Personal Care Hours per Week: 40 Days I Would Like to Work: De Lunes a Sabado’s I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: Si Target Salary Per Hour: 19 Alyssa Pisciotta () on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 18:42:23 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 10875 Avenue D Brooklyn NY 11236 Phone: (347) 566-4726 E-mail: alyssapisciotta1296@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Seniors, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Amputation, Wheelchairs, Lifters, Other Equipment, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Visual / Auditory Impairments Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity Certificate/License: Personal Care Hours per Week: 30 Days per Week: 5 Preferred Start Time: 4pm Days I Would Like to Work: Any I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: Yes Target Salary Per Hour: 21 Target Salary Per Day: 120 Comments: I've been working as a home care aide for almost 10 years. I have a ton of experience, and I truly just love the job. Maria Juncal () on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 23:47:49 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 32-14-100th St East Elmhurst NY 11369 Phone: 929-669-6258 Best Time: Morning E-mail: Mjuncal23@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Children, Seniors Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: No Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity, Recommendations Description of Other Certificate/License: None Hours per Week: 40 Days per Week: 6 Days I Would Like to Work: Monday- Saturday Target Salary Per Hour: 19 Abigail Pena Dominguez () on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 08:39:05 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 1400 E New York Ave Apt 12J, Kings County, Brooklyn NY Phone: 929-530-7486 Best Time: Any E-mail: abbypena3@gmail.com Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Consumer/Surrogate References Available: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Children, Teens, Seniors, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Languages Description of Languages: Fluent Spanish and English Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: No Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity Hours per Week: 30+ Days per Week: 6 Preferred Start Time: 9am Days I Would Like to Work: Any days, either Sunday-Friday or Monday-Saturday I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: Yes Target Salary Per Hour: 17+ Comments: I have been employed to work with kids multiple times and have always had a great experience. My family includes multiple Seniors and children, giving me enough experience. My father is a Senior Citizen and has his own Home Health aide on some days, I observe and help. My Grandmother also has dementia, and I am very patient when communicating with her and assisting her with any needs. Shataya () on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10:46:11 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phone: 914-320-4789 E-mail: S.prioleau@ymail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: Yes Consumer/Surrogate References Available: Yes Enrolled with a CDPAP: Yes CDPAP Agency Name(s): Concepts and CPC Experience: Young Adults, Seniors, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Wheelchairs, Lifters, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Visual / Auditory Impairments Description of Languages: English Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity Certificate/License: Home Health Aide Description of Other Certificate/License: Med tech Days I Would Like to Work: Mon-sat I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: No Comments: I’ve been a caregiver under the CDPAP program for twelve years now under various agencies. I’ve worked with patients from ages 8-96 years old one on one in their home. I’m experienced in working with autistic children/adults, dementia, quadriplegic, spinal injury, bed bound and visually impaired clients. I’m knowledgeable in working with g tubes and Hoyer lifts as well. I am vaccinated, a certified med tech and HHA. Simone John () on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:51:12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 902 47th Street Brooklyn, NY 11219 Phone: 347-420-9765 E-mail: Simonejohn56@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: Yes Enrolled with a CDPAP: No CDPAP Agency Name(s): Heart 2 Heart Experience: Young Adults, Seniors, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: No Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity, Recommendations Certificate/License: Personal Care Target Salary Per Hour: 19.00 Comments: I have been working in the home care field since 2012. I have experience working with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. I enjoy cooking and I can follow a meal plan based on the patient’s diet. I also engaged with the patients with exercise and other therapeutic activities. Katherine Tillery () on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 16:45:24 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 1370 Eastern Parkway Phone: (347) 973-9527 Best Time: Anytime E-mail: Tillery.nikki@yahoo.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Children, Teens, Seniors, Amputation, Wheelchairs, Lifters, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Visual / Auditory Impairments, Special Diets, Languages Description of Special Diets: Diabetes Diet watch salt and sugar intake. Description of Languages: English Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity Certificate/License: Personal Care, Other Description of Other Certificate/License: Permit ID Hours per Week: 30-4 Days per Week: 5 Preferred Start Time: 9-5 Days I Would Like to Work: M-F Mainly but will do weekend also if required. I am willing to work a 24-Hour Sleep-In schedule: No Target Salary Per Hour: 19.00 Shushana McFarlane () on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 13:40:29 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: 89-25 Parsons Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11432 Phone: 929-369-1995 Best Time: 10-6 E-mail: shushana.m@gmail.com Email Authorization: Yes Gender: Female Type of Position: Other Type of Position Description of Other Type of Position: Home Health/Home Making Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Experience: Seniors, Wheelchairs, Lifters, Mental Impairments / Alzheimer's Disease, Visual / Auditory Impairments, Special Diets, Other Description of Special Diets: no salts, gluten, no oil, etc. Description of Other: Parkinson's Disease patients Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity, Recommendations Certificate/License: Driver's License Hours per Week: 40 Days per Week: 5 Preferred Start Time: 9am Days I Would Like to Work: Wed/Thru/Fri/Sat/Sun/ I am willing to work a 24 Hour Sleep-In schedule: Yes - Thurs - Sun Target Salary Per Hour: 25 Target Salary Per Day: 200 Target Salary Per Week: 1000 Alex Stein () on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 10:28:17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address: Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NY Phone: 973-856-5566 E-mail: alexchandlerstein@gmail.com Gender: Male Type of Position: Personal Care / Home Health Worked with a CDPAP Consumer/Surrogate: No Enrolled with a CDPAP: No Can pass the New York State Review: Yes Had a Health Assessment in the past 12 months: Yes Have or can get a copy of my recent Health Assessment: Yes Other Documentation Available: Proof of Identity, Recommendations Certificate/License: Driver's License Comments: Hi there I'd love to be considered for HHA / PCA training and positions. A little about me… my background is in education and hospitality, but I’m interested in changing career paths and working in the healthcare sector. While I do not have a medical background, I am currently taking courses in biology and physiology/anatomy, and I have plenty of experience working closely with others and providing care & support in fast-paced environments. Furthermore, I’m a quick learner and a great communicator with a strong attention to detail. I'd love to chat more about the position and hear exactly what you're looking for! Many thanks and Warm regards Alex Stein Articles Related to the CDPAP CDPAP Strikes Again Wednesday, December 18, 2024 CDPAP strikes again with Hochul confrontation, lawsuit and new ad campaign. Momentum continues to build against the state’s scheduled transition of a $9 billion Medicaid program called CDPAP. New York is moving to replace more than 600 companies that act as fiscal intermediaries between Medicaid and the aides paid through the program, with one company that plans to subcontract with a few dozen providers across the state. That was approved by Hochul and the Legislature with the intention of saving money on the program, though no analysis has been released by the state. Advocates who support the current program have been opposed to that because they’re concerned the company — Public Partnerships LLC — will fumble the transition and leave them without the care they rely on. Public Partnerships has tried to quell those fears through public information sessions on how the transition will work. The first steps start in just a few weeks with the transition scheduled to be completed by April 1 of next year. Hochul decided to go to Crossgates Mall in Albany to highlight her inflation rebate proposal but was confronted by Julie Farrar, a supporter of the CDPAP program. “You’re talking about affordability and people I know and I love and myself are at risk of losing our services and our home care workers are now making minimum wage,” Farrar said to Hochul. “You’ve been lied to,” Hochul said to Farrar, who rejected that. “We’re going to make sure you get the care you need.” To be fair, if advocates are being lied to, they wouldn’t know it. The state hasn’t released details on how the transition will save money, including how much, and why the program is so costly in its current form. Where the transition stands now and why subcontractors are upset. I’m going to take you inside negotiations between Public Partnerships and the subcontractors they’ve selected. Nearly 30 subcontractors have been announced to work with Public Partnerships after the transition to keep the program consistent. But there’s a problem: many of them apparently don’t like the terms that have been offered by Public Partnerships. Because of that, many were considering backing out of the arrangement last week, sources told me. I can’t name who gave me this information because it’s technically supposed to be protected under a nondisclosure agreement, but it’s from a reliable source who’s close to these discussions. There are at least two reasons why subcontractors have been hesitant to sign on. Some have been concerned about the nondisclosure agreement, which they call a “gag order.” That was issued to potential subcontractors to prohibit them from speaking with state government officials, elected representatives and members of the media about the arrangement. Public Partnerships has defended the nondisclosure agreement, calling it a normal part of doing business. That’s not untrue; nondisclosure agreements are common. “Our potential teaming partners sign mutual NDAs with us, we protect the information they share with us, including intellectual property, and we expect them to do the same,” the company said in a statement. “This is common practice for organizations that partner with each other to operate programs. For example, we share information about intellectual property such as our technology and processes we have developed,” they added. But there’s also the issue of reimbursement rates, which sources say would be drastically lower with Public Partnerships than what they’re paid now by the state. Providers that act as fiscal intermediaries are currently reimbursed per CDPAP enrollee depending on how many hours of care that person receives each month. There are three tiers, from up to 159 hours per month to more than 480 hours per month. For the lowest tier, fiscal intermediaries are paid about $146 per enrollee per month. For the highest tier, they’re paid $1,046 per enrollee per month. Public Partnerships, according to my source, is offering $50 per enrollee per month for the lowest tier and $60 per enrollee per month for the highest tier — a very big difference, as you can see. “What PPL is offering is a fraction of what we need to even break even,” one person involved in negotiations said. Providers would have lower costs because they would be eliminating their payroll and billing staff. Public Partnerships would be managing that work moving forward. The person said they were told by the company that they would be assigned more enrollees than they manage now to make up for the lower reimbursement rate. It’s important to note that we don’t know how the transition will play out. Public Partnerships has been accused of mismanaging programs in some states but they also administer several more programs across the country that haven’t been the subject of scrutiny. New York predicts it will fall into the latter camp. A new ad campaign and lawsuit compound the conflict. One of the main groups opposed to the transition — the Alliance to Protect Home Care — now has a new ad campaign out targeted at Public Partnerships. The ad is running statewide on television and digital platforms and is a seven-figure ad buy. Their goal is to get the state to reverse the transition or rethink it in a way that’s more predictable. “Tell the state Legislature, stop PPL from hijacking our home care,” advocates say in the final line of the ad. But opponents of the transition are trying to walk and chew gum at the same time. Another lawsuit was filed late Tuesday that alleged the state already knew the contract would be awarded to Public Partnerships before a request for proposals was put out in June. They claim it was rigged. The same claim was made in a different lawsuit at the end of November. Hochul spokesman Sam Spokony sent me this in response. “The qualifying language was approved by the state Legislature and the (request for proposal) was put out for public bid,” Spokony said.” At the end of that process, (Public Partnerships) scored the highest and was selected.” The suit was filed by All-American Home Care, which also alleged that the state’s transition was unlawful because it nullifies contracts they already have in place with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. But here’s why it’s important that at least four lawsuits have been filed against the state over the program. The lawsuits are seeking a preliminary injunction against the transition. That would halt it in its tracks until we know the outcome of that litigation. The more jurisdictions those lawsuits are filed in, the higher the chance that a judge will grant that preliminary injunction. Judges in different courts and counties hold different interpretations of the law. I’ll let you know if an injunction is granted in one of those cases. Laura Cardwell Director of Operations & Events CDPAANYS/CDANY (518) 813-9537 ext. 1 December 13 Capitol Confidential Newsletter Saturday, December 14, 2024 CDPAP contract winner requires ‘gag orders from subcontractors The company that’s expected to take over CDPAP, a popular Medicaid program, is prohibiting companies it plans to subcontract with from speaking with state government officials and the media. Those were part of the terms of a nondisclosure agreement those potential subcontractors signed with the company, called Public Partnerships, LLC. They also can’t share information about their potential partnership online or on social media under the agreement. “All information shared with you by PPL during our meetings is protected by our NDA,” Deborah Drexel, the company’s general counsel, wrote in an email to subcontractors. “Breach of this agreement would cause PPL irreparable harm and would subject your company to legal liability and the termination of our potential contractual partnership,” she added. It’s not an unusual demand in business but the perception of that language has reinforced feelings felt by some subcontractors that Public Partnerships is trying to strongarm them into remaining silent at the risk of their contract with the company. One home care leader familiar with contract negotiations claimed the company is trying to get subcontractors to sign agreements as soon as possible. Some are considering backing out of that deal. “This program was founded on advocacy and legislation to support people,” they said. (I agreed not to share their name to avoid retaliation.) “When you put what everybody’s calling a ‘gag order,’ you are preventing us from doing the thing this program allows people to do.” Subcontractors that agree to partner with the company are also prohibited, under contract, from speaking with representatives of state government. That includes staff in all state agencies and the governor’s office. It also includes the Legislature. The warning was prompted after Public Partnerships discovered that a statewide group that advocates for CDPAP providers — CDPAANYS — was planning a meeting to discuss the terms of the subcontracting, the company said in a statement sent to me. “We became aware that CDPAANYS had reached out to our teaming partners to discuss proprietary information we shared,” the company said. “The email below reminded our partners of their commitment not to share proprietary information.” Public Partnerships also defended their requirement for subcontractors not to share information publicly, saying those companies may not have the correct information and could unintentionally complicate the relationship they have with the state. “Regarding communications to other parties regarding our contract with our subcontractors, there is a lot of misinformation circulating about PPL,” they said. “We prefer to speak on our own behalf regarding our work on CDPAP. It is also common practice for prime contractors to take the lead on communications with state stakeholders to ensure information provided is complete and accurate,” they added. T.K. Small, JD 55 Pierrepont St. #16 H Brooklyn, NY 11201 CDPAP Applicant Sues New York After ‘Lower’ Bid Rejected Monday, November 25, 2024 A new lawsuit filed against the state Department of Health Monday claimed that the agency “rigged the bidding process” for a contract to handle the fiscal side of the popular CDPAP Medicaid program. The lawsuit was filed by Freedom Care LLC, whose bid was rejected by the state in favor of Public Partnerships, LLP, a Georgia-based company. “DOH structured the process with an apparent eye toward PPL, imposing eligibility requirements that eliminated almost all of PPL’s potential competitors — though, importantly, Freedom Care was able to jump through every hoop DOH erected,” the lawsuit said. Freedom Care is represented by attorneys with the high-powered Gibson Dunn law firm, signaling that it’s a serious effort against the state. They want a judge to block the state’s contract with Public Partnerships. The company claims in the lawsuit the state intended to choose Public Partnerships to take over CDPAP months before they were announced as the winner. Public Partnerships had already been mentioned behind closed doors as an option when the law that prompted the bidding process was passed in April, they noted, pointing to some of our reporting in CapCon. When the state put out its request for proposals, the requirements were skewed to favor Public Partnerships, the lawsuit claims. Criteria for in-state applicants was stricter than what was required of out-of-state applicants, according to the lawsuit, and the state declined to answer questions on how the proposals would be scored. The lawsuit also claims the state unlawfully coordinated with Public Partnerships before they were announced as the winner of the contract. That’s because, when it was announced in a press release, the state and company had already selected companies to subcontract with. “That alone should be enough to annul the award,” attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. The lawsuit also points to some past blunders by Public Partnerships in other states and claims that Freedom Care’s bid was less expensive. That should have given them an advantage, the lawsuit said. “Instead, DOH chose an out-of-state operator with an abysmal track record in other states — including Pennsylvania, where PPL was tasked with taking over for just 36 existing fiscal intermediaries serving just 20,000 patients — whose bid was materially more expensive,” the lawsuit said. Freedom Care manages the care of 65,000 New Yorkers, according to its website. The state Department of Health did not comment on the lawsuit Monday. “This legal action lays out the facts that Gov. Hochul made a backroom deal before this process even started,” said Bryan O’Malley from the Alliance to Protect Home Care. “There is no other way to explain how a company with a track record as bad as PPL's would be allowed to manage the home care of our elderly and disabled. The legislature and governor still have time to fix this before New York becomes another PPL disaster,” he said. T.K. Small, JD 55 Pierrepont St. #16 H Brooklyn, NY 11201 Home care supplier: New York state needs more time for Medicaid changes By Kate Lisa New York State October 17, 2024 One of four regional subcontractors helping to administer changes to a Medicaid home care program in the coming months said Thursday that New York lawmakers need to delay the April 1 deadline when they return to Albany next year. The state is forging ahead to change the $9 billion Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program under Medicaid, which more than 250,000 New Yorkers rely on for home care, in under six months. Pushback is growing for that timeline to be extended to change the program — including from companies partnering with the state to manage it. "The timeline needs to be realistic," said Anthony Caputo, CEO of the nonprofit Concepts of Independence. "...Seeing and learning from what has happened in other states that have much smaller programs, it's going to be difficult." The state Health Department is negotiating with Public Partnerships LLC to finalize a five-year, multi-billion-dollar contract for the company to take over CDPAP by mid-2025 — down from over 600 – to cut back on widespread fraud and abuse. Concepts of Independence, which serves home care recipients in the Hudson Valley, is one of four core regional home care suppliers partnering with the state to assist PPL in the transition. Current state law mandates that the other FIs must shutter by April 1. "I've spoken to state senators about this, and to make this happen, they're going to have to extend the time," Caputo said. "The Senate, the Assembly and the governor are going to have to agree to extend that period of time so there is a smooth transition. ...I hope they open the window for another year." Last week, eight people involved in the state's CDPAP were federally indicted, accused of defrauding $68 million through the program. Gov. Kathy Hochul has touted the indictment as proof that consolidating the program is the right move and will reduce program abuse and make it more financially viable. "This was a process that was managed by our Department of Health, and for those trying to undermine the decision-making process of these professionals, these public servants, I resent that," Hochul told reporters in Albany on Thursday. "One only needs to look at the genesis of why we took on this issue. States like California, with double our population, have one fiscal intermediary to manage this program." Caputo, who penned an op-ed Thursday supporting the program changes, said Concepts of Independence started CDPAP in the state in 1980 to serve about 100 disabled New Yorkers. The state program has skyrocketed to the nation's largest — growing from $2.5 billion annually in 2015 up to the current $9 billion price. "The contract will be finalized very soon," representatives with PPL said in a statement Thursday. "We are prepared to execute the transition by April 1. If the Department of Health changes the timeline, we will accommodate their decision." The powerful health workers union 1199 SEIU has an agreement with PPL that the company will not interfere with workers as they make a decision to unionize under the new agreement. "We're looking forward to working with them, to both implementing the single FI and help the workers make the decision if they want to be represented by the union, but we didn't have a dog in the race about who will get the contract," 1199SEIU Interim Political Director Helen Schaub said. Union leaders with Home Health Care Workers of America, representing the largest number of health care workers in the state, continue to be skeptical that the changes will reduce fraud. Advocates have criticized PPL's history of mismanagement and losing contracts in other states. Connor Shaw, the union's political director, is pushing for the state to transition CDPAP recipients to be reliant on traditional home care, which has more safeguards built in. "This is not new or shocking that this program was being exploited," Shaw said. "For years, you couldn't ride the subway without seeing advertisements that said 'Get paid to take care of your mom.' "There's more sensible ways to address the aging care population. Bad actors have entered the industry because there's no regulation," he added. "The solution to this is not allowing one FI that has had issues in other states, it's to have more regulation and guardrails, and that's what exists in traditional home care." Representatives with Hochul's administration said too many FIs do not comply with federal electronic filing and verification requirements, and PPL's billing system uses the federal system created under the 21st Century Cures Act. “Anyone concerned about this should be pleased with our plan to strengthen CDPAP, since the state can now use its contractual oversight to ensure the program operates in compliance with Electronic Visit Verification," a spokesperson with Hochul's office said Thursday. Caputo said New York transitioning to a single FI is the correct move, but only with proper communication with all CDPAP workers and recipients. "It is going to work," Caputo said. "But information must go out sooner than later." Every worker must have documented medical exams and other paperwork digitized in the transition, but Caputo said some workers do not have an email address and must be tracked down in person. Officials with the state Health Department met this week concerned with independent living centers, which will also serve as program subcontractors. "They weren't even getting information," he said. "We all need to sit down at the table. There needs to be stakeholder meetings with consumers and stakeholders, potential FIs and local (Department of Social Security) so we can all answer each other's questions. It is going to be a large task, and it's going to take more time to do it properly." Several lawmakers have expressed concerns about the quick change, even though they voted for the budget that established it in state law. Lawmakers this winter plan to probe the effectiveness of the transition during legislative budget hearings to determine how the timeline should be altered. The change in the last budget was negotiated last minute behind closed doors, and without typical oversight by the state comptroller. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has said the timeline could be flexible, but New York's competitive bidding process was done correctly. Opinion: CDPAP is here to stay in NY. A new partnership will benefit us all Anthony Caputo Special to the USA TODAY Network October 17, 2024 As the leader of a non-profit organization that helped to pioneer consumer directed home care over 40 years ago, I’ve watched this issue become a subject of passionate discussion in recent months across New York. The topic is our state’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program — commonly known as CDPAP — and some understandable confusion about the program’s future for the approximately 250,000 New Yorkers who rely on it for home care. But despite what you might have heard recently, I have good news: the truth is that CDPAP is here to stay — and it’s getting stronger. I know this because our non-profit organization, Concepts of Independence, is part of a new statewide partnership that, pending final approval, will include more than 30 regional and community-based groups that are joining forces in a unified effort to make CDPAP even better and more effective for New Yorkers who need it. Under a plan that was first approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature earlier this year and then further advanced in an announcement last week, this diverse and experienced statewide partnership is prepared to ensure that home care users and their caregivers across New York are protected now and in the future. And our partnership is taking time to make sure it gets done right. This plan isn’t taking effect overnight — and there will be months of preparation for this transition, through mid-2025. More specifically, Concepts of Independence is one of four core regional partners working with PPL, our statewide partner, to help deliver high-quality service. While we will continue to serve consumers throughout all of our current New York counties, our organization will lead CDPAP efforts in the Hudson Valley area — including Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and the surrounding counties. Three other core regional partners will lead efforts in other areas of the state. As a core regional partner, we’ll also be working closely with a number of community-based partners who have also been operating within CDPAP in New York for many years. Our community-based partners will help us ensure that we deliver the personalized, multilingual and culturally sensitive care that home care users and their families deserve. Why is cultural competency so important when it comes to home care? It ensures that personal assistants and other stakeholders can communicate effectively with individuals from different backgrounds and with various abilities. Meeting individuals where they are is vital, too – both physically and linguistically. Communication can be a major barrier for vulnerable individuals receiving care as they may struggle to accurately convey their care needs. Concepts of Independence has an extensive workforce tailored to support these cultural and linguistic priorities to help consumers advocate and navigate for their unique needs. Last week’s announcement on CDPAP is the start of a transition process over the coming months that will be focused on discussing issues like this directly with home care users, caregivers and advocates. Alongside PPL, our leadership team will be connecting with CDPAP stakeholders every step of the way. I am confident that once we proceed through that transition process, our statewide partnership will deliver a stronger CDPAP for New Yorkers. Why? Because at organizations like ours, consumer directed home care is in our DNA – and it’s part of what makes us proud to be New Yorkers. We’d never let a program like CDPAP fail for the people who need it. Anthony Caputo is CEO of Concepts of Independence – a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose only purpose is to administer the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in New York State. Finding a New PCA United Spinal Association, https://unitedspinal.org/ Best tips and strategies for finding and hiring a PCA. https://unitedspinal.org/best-tips-and-strategies-for-finding-and-hiring-pcas/ Annie Streit, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, Aug 23, 2023 How to Secure Housing and Manage PCA Services at College https://newmobility.com/how-to-secure-housing-and-manage-pca-services-at-college/ Annie Tulkin, March 29, 2022 Managing Personal Assistants: A Consumer Guide https://pva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/persasstfc6d.pdf Paralyzed Veterans of America, 2000 Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York The "DIA Activist" News Letter can be found online at: http://largestminority.net/activist.html or https://www.disabledinaction.org/ The Largest Minority is a news, opinion and resource web site on issues of concern and interest to the community of people with a disability. It is produced in conjunction with Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York. DIA Membership: A civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities that believes in the motto, "Nothing about us without us!" Everyone is welcome. For Dues and Meeting information, please visit https://www.disabledinaction.org/ If you're on Twitter or Facebook - http://www.twitter.com/DIA_ New York https://www.facebook.com/ Disabled-In-Action-of- Metropolitan-New-York The DIA meetings are held at Selis Manor 135 W 23rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues - 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. Come for lively discussion and brainstorming on changes we can make as well as learn what we have been up to and are planning to do to advance the cause of disability rights. In case of extremely bad weather, you can call the DIA phone number - 646-504-4342 - after 6pm the Saturday night before to find out if the meeting will be cancelled. Our meetings are usually held on the 1st Sunday of the month. We only do the second Sunday if a holiday falls right on that day or if there is a big NYC event that makes getting around extra difficult such as the marathon, or if the weather is impassable or dangerous. Our new phone number is 646-504-4342. Our new mailing address is Disabled In Action PO Box 1550, New York, NY 10159 Able Newspaper As March begins, we’re happy to share that the latest digital edition of Able News is now live! With expanded original reporting on wheelchair sports, transportation accessibility, local news, and more, you won’t want to miss this issue. We’re glad you’re part of our growing community as our journey continues under new editorial leadership at The Viscardi Center. Thank you for reading! With appreciation, Emily Ladau Editor, Able News https://ablenews.com/category/able-news-full-editions/ SUBMIT NEWS ITEMS TO ABLENEWS@VISCARDICENTER.ORG. Ablenews@viscardicenter.org Local Independent Living Centers • Bronx Independent Living Services, Inc. (BILS) 4419 Third Ave, #2C, Bronx, NY 10457 TEL 718 515-2800 x 116 / TTY 718 515-2803 / FAX 718 515-2844 • Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) 27 Smith St, #200, Brooklyn, NY 11201 TEL 718 998-3000 / TTY 718 998-7406 / FAX 718 998-3743 • Center for Independence of the Disabled in NY (CID-NY) (Manhattan) 841 Broadway, #301, New York, NY 10003 TEL 212 674-2300 V / TTY 212-674–5619 / FAX 212-254-5953 • CID-NY/Queens - 137-02A Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354 Phone: 646-442-1520 / Sorenson VP 866-948-1064 / TTY 718-886-0427 / Fax 718-886-0428 • Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) (Manhattan) 289 St. Nicholas Ave, #21 Lower Level, New York, NY 10027 TEL: 212-222–7122 / Sorenson VP 646-755-3092 / Relay 866-326-5876 / FAX 212-222-7199 / info@hilc.org • Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SIILC) 470 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301 TEL 718-720-9016 / TTY 718-720-9870 / FAX 718-720-9664 • Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) (Nassau Co) 3601 Hempstead Turnpike, #208, Levittown, NY 11756 TEL 516-796-0144 / TEL (Espanol) 516-796-6176 / TTY 516-796-0135 / FAX 516-796-0529 / licil@aol.com • Self Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) (Suffolk Co) 2111 Lakeland Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 TEL 631-880-7929 / TTY 631-654-8076 / FAX 631-946-6377 / contact@siloinc.org • Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) (Westchester/White Plains) 200 Hamilton Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 TEL 914-682-3926 / TTY 914-682-0926 / Sorenson Video Phone 866-933 5390 / FAX 914-682-8518 • Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc. (WDOM) Westchester/Yonkers) 984 No. Broadway, #L-10, Yonkers, NY 10701 TEL 914-968-4717 V & TTY / FAX 914-968-6137 Alternative Resources The following resources MAY help Consumers find new Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Candidates and manage the CDPAP. (Suggestions Welcome) Employment Kingsborough Comm. College, Marisa Joseph 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235 marisa.joseph@kbcc.cuny.edu 718-368-5563 NYC Technical College Placement Office pdc@citytech.cuny.edu (718) 260-5050 Advertising Able Newspaper Cost $5 for each 5 word line (or part) – 30days Phone: 516-939-2253 www.ablenews.com Classified Ads, Cost Free http://www.classifiedads.com/post.php Craigslist, Cost $45.00 (30 days) http://newyork.craigslist.org/ Barefootstudent.com - $75 per month Employment site for recruiting college grads and nearby students. System Navigation Homecare Planning Solutions http://www.hpsny.org/learning-center/home-care/enroll-in-cdpap/ 718-215-0926 Assistance with enrolling in a CDPAP, or questions about CDPAP Call to speak with a specialist. Never any charge for their help Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN) ICAN helps people in New York’s Managed Care Plans Call (844) 614-8800 TTY Relay Service: 711 https://icannys.org/ Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program Focus - Medicaid, Medicare, home care services, and public benefits issues affecting older adults & people with disabilities 212.613.7310 Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EFLRP@nylag.org Find My FI https://cdpaanys.org/findmyfi/ CDPAANYS recommends doing thorough research before selecting a fiscal intermediary. Wages, benefits, and programs can vary between providers. Your Medicaid service coordinator or plan care manager should provide you with a list of all options. The fiscal intermediaries listed on this site are current provider members of CDPAANYS. Our members have all been screened and interviewed before joining to ensure they operate according to the principles and philosophy of Consumer Direction. Your FI should never ask for your workers to sign a non-compete agreement. Questions to consider if changing your (FI) CDPAP Provider In addition to considering the items you already value such as personal recommendations, information contained in company advertisements, or other local factors; when considering a new CPAPA provider agency, you may wish to consider some of the following questions. Please note: the agency may choose not to answer any of your questions, but even that may help you to decide if the agency is a good fit for you and your circumstances. • Name of Agency • Address • Contact Person • Contact Telephone • Contact Email Address • Website • Counties Served • Managed Care Providers • Direct County or DSS Contracts • Number of Years Providing Home Care Services • Number of Years Providing Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services • Percent CDPAP Consumers verses total Home Care Consumers. • Will your agency be required to participate in the Electronic Visit Verification Program? • If I change between provider agencies will my service authorization change? • What is included in the PCA’s wage and benefit package? • Does the agency provide a recruitment assistance resource to help me attract new PCA’s? • Positions occupied by Consumers: 1. Service Recipients 2. Client Advisory Members 3. Board Members 4. Employees 5. Other • If Consumers are on the Board of Director, what percent of the Board is controlled by Consumers? • What are some of the reasons for becoming a CDPAP Provider Agency? 1. Is the program the corporation’s primary mission? 2. Does the program help the corporation achieve its goal of consumer empowerment? 3. Does the agency also serve offer traditional home care services? 4. Did the corporation choose to become a provider because the CDPAP provided a more cost-effective service solution for consumers with more complex service needs? 5. Did the corporation choose to become a provider because the CDPAP allow you to diversify your mix of services? 6. Did the corporation choose to become a provider because the CDPAP business model offered an opportunity that could benefit both the corporation and the consumers? 7. Other • What are some of the Problems with the CDPAP (Besides inadequate reimbursement)? 1. Does the model complicate the process of utilizing the corporation’s proven systems of quality and fiscal control? 2. Does the model facilitate and encourage Consumer fraud and abuse? 3. Does the model complicate the process of complying with and controlling new regulatory requirements, such as overtime, sleep-in, and joint employment? 4. Is it difficult to maintain a clear line of separation between agency and consumer responsibilities? 5. Does the consumer’s problem of locating suitable PCA’s, and managing the delivery of services create situations that are too difficult for some consumers? 6. Is it administratively difficult to manage the problem of collecting all the required PCA documents without compromising consumer independence or program liability? 7. Other • Why Should a Consumer choose your Agency? • Other Comments about your Agency