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Recent News

January 23, 2011—The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Commissioner Courtney Burke and Deputy Commissioner Jim Moran met with nearly 250 SKIP consumers and parents/guardians of children with developmental disabilities on January 18th at SKIP's offices to answer their questions and discuss their concerns about the 1115 'People First' Waiver which looks to significantly shift the way they receive support and care through Medicaid.  It was a first step by SKIP and the families it serves to raise awareness among OPWDD policy makers of the extreme complexities and unintended consequences of some of the changes currently being considered.

This important article published December 26, 2011 by the Jewish Press speaks to the 1115 Waiver and its"fundamental and far-reaching changes" ...changes which will "have a profound effect on every individual in New York State who receives services under the current system for caring for individuals with developmental disabilities." For the full article, click here.

December 26, 2011--SKIP of New York has submitted its answers to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) in response to the OPWDD request for information re. the 1115 "People First" Waiver.  All stakeholders, including parents, are invited to fill out the RFI which you can get to by clicking here. The deadline for submissions has been extended to this Friday, December 30, 2011. To read SKIP's answers, click here.  

November 16, 2011—As the State of New York seeks greater spending efficiencies, it is reshaping the way Medicaid-funded healthcare services are delivered. Specifically, through the 1115 Waiver, also known as the People First Waiver, New York is planning to move all consumers served through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), including children who are medically fragile as well as developmentally disabled, into a managed care model for the Medicaid healthcare services they receive. The current proposal includes moving Medicaid Service Coordination into the managed care benefit package.  Here’s why we are concerned….

Nov. 9, 2011   In a strong show of support for the disabled populations of New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law on November 1, 2011 that will require health insurance providers to offer coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. This sensitivity to the special needs of people with disabilities bodes well for the developmentally disabled citizens of the New York, particularly the medically fragile children within this population, as the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) continues its work to reshape how healthcare services are delivered to the developmentally disabled through the 1115 Waiver.

@ SKIP

In our second annual Julia Appeal currently underway, we are seeking to fund an external email system for the 150 case managers and supervisors at SKIP who facilitate the way forward for more than 3,000 sick and disabled children each year. The Appeal is a celebration of the anniversary of Julia's birthday, the young girl who inspired the launch of SKIP nearly 30 years ago.  It supports her biggest wish--to make sure all sick and developmentally disabled kids get the chance to live at home with the people who love them most.  Just as different gifts are given for different birthdays, each “birthday gift for Julia” changes. The goal it serves does not....

Oct. 1, 2010—SKIP of New York was able to capitalize on the decreased demand for commercial real estate in the City to claim a plum spot on the 5th floor of the Starrett-Lehigh Building overlooking the Hudson River... It's 40,000 square feet of hope, help and possibilities...

July 11, 2011—Nearly 60 SKIP kids donated drawings for a special art exhibit at SKIP's recent Friendraiser.  All art was offered for sale; 100% of the funds raised went directly to getting kids off SKIP’s waiting list. 

May 19, 2011—SKIP celebrated its 2011 Ruby Slipper Honorees Larry Inserra, Jr. and Mick Ebeling before a packed house of supporters this past May 19th at its annual Friendraiser event. The award presentation was emceed by former Today Show host Meredith Vieira in SKIP's new location overlooking the Hudson River...