Community Class Advocacy Continues
Community members have been speaking up about their frustrations with the approval process for community classes for Self-Direction participants. At the ZOOM meetings held in April 2024 the community discussed these issues. After the meetings, a survey was distributed to gather more information.
The survey received responses from 113 people, mostly family members or caregivers of Self-Direction participants. Participants served ranged from school-age to adults up to 78 years old. Half of the respondents were from the NYC metro area, while 40% were from Nassau/Suffolk and 10% from the Capital region.
The survey revealed several common concerns:
· Inconsistencies in approvals and rejections of community classes by Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs).
· Lack of detailed explanations or procedures for appealing rejections.
· Narrow definitions of what constitutes “community classes,” leading to rejections based on class structure or subject matter.
· Ignoring participants’ preferences and choices in activities.
· Cumbersome reimbursement processes causing financial stress.
For a more indepth review of the information collected from survey responses, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15G29SD7ovt-hdpJnXxFcgWNlkal60e-m3BEVkEJQgWI/edit?usp=sharing
Self-Direction and Community Classes
What are the rules?
Where are the misinterpretations? Â
OPWDD guidance about Community Classes has not changed. But why are some community classes not approved by FI’s? Are the FIs setting their own restrictive policies, with no oversight from OPWDD? Where are the misinterpretations of OPWDD intent and the values underpinning Self-DIrection (choice and meaningful engagement in the community related to personal goals)?
SOYAN together with other statewide advocates gathered with community members to gather information with the intent of advocating within the current policy context for innovation. Any activity that facilitates community connections is a good thing!
View the powerpoint presentation held April 20 and 21, 2023: Talking About Community Classes (pdf)
Tips and Strategies for advocacy with the Fiscal Intermediary:
- Persistence, persistence, persistence.
- Document— write letters of justification
- Persistence!
- Reach out to your legislator’s Constituent Services
- Collective Action
- Maybe Fair Hearings, maybe not— check with advisors
SOYAN is hearing more and more stories of FI’s that are restricting participants’ access to Community Classes. Through the grapevine we heard that OPWDD audits have increased which has trickled down, putting FIs on heightened alert.
SOYAN WANTS TO HEAR FROM FAMILIES AND SELF-DIRECTION PARTICIPANTS & BROKERS: What’s your experience?
Include the details of your experience in SOYAN’S COMMUNITY CLASS SURVEY.
We will use this information to tell a compelling story to policymakers!
There are more than 22,000 people Self-Directing. We need your help for connections across NYS! Our aim is to advocate on behalf of the community.
A sampling of at least 100 people who have had a community class denied would provide evidence of trends and in turn help us uncover possible immediate and long term solutions for advocacy.
Please share this email with your Self-Direction networks.
SOYAN’S COMMUNITY CLASS SURVEY will remain open until further notice.
Email any questions to info@soyan.org.
Watch an hour long webinar hosted by Center for Supports geared towards educating Self-Direction Brokers