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Families and professionals gained access to new thinking and resources, as YAI, NYSACRA and WIHD hosted a full-day summit "Housing: A Path to Independence," in Manhattan last week. Speakers from throughout the city and state urged professionals and family members to explore local, state and federal affordable housing options and resources for the people we support.
Nearly 150 people attended the summit, which was partially funded by a Balancing Incentives Program (BIP) Transformation Fund grant from the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.
Impact of Summit
"We had all the players who had to be there to help and to take on the tough questions," said Vera Halpenny, YAI’s Senior Vice President of Services, who spearheaded the summit with a group of dedicated volunteers. "With families and providers seeking information, we realized that we have an opportunity to help other organizations learn about our field. We can have an impact and need to keep the conversation ongoing."
New Resources and Perspectives
With opening remarks from Vera and executives from summit partners NYSACRA and WIHD, the tone was set very early that the state is no longer able to support certified residential homes for thousands of people with IDD. All of us need to consider resources which have been used for housing veterans, seniors and people with mental health conditions.
OPWDD officials from the Metro, Long Island, and Hudson Valley Developmental Disability Regional Offices, real estate developers and financiers discussed strategies for creating a viable housing network, while managing a person’s needs and addressing barriers. OPWDD officials shared their perspective on housing initiatives, key state partnerships, as well as the use of technology in promoting independent living.
"It really illuminated other ways to do housing," said Chris Reinhard, Executive Director of our Rockland County Association for Learning Disabilities and National Institute for People with Disabilities of New Jersey. "We have to look at housing in a different way. It's a home in which supports can be delivered."
While Chris was familiar with some resources through housing in New Jersey, she learned about new ones, beyond OPWDD, in New York State.
The summit which offered new ways of looking at housing was a great match with New York's person-centered planning focus and transformation.
'Next Chapter of History'
"We always wanted the people we support in our group residences to learn the skills to move out on their own and live more independently," said Allison Downer, YAI’s Regional Support Supervisor for Westchester and Queens."It feels good being a part of next chapter of history in the field. This is where all the advocacy led to – a push for independence and person-centered planning."
Allison, who recently completed the first Housing Navigation course through NYSACRA and WIHD, is among 31 people across New York trained to help families find affordable, and in some cases accessible, housing. She also is training professionals as a result of the seven-week course.
Allison will join another Housing Navigator for an April 7, presentation to 50 Westchester families on assessing and meeting their children's housing needs.
"For me it's in line with person-centered planning and Personal Outcome Measures," Allison said. "We're putting people in the driver's seat; they can decide where they want to live and with whom they want to live, opposed to availability and placement."
YAI Housing Assessment Tool
At the summit, she presented with Lisa Sterrantino, Assistant Residential Director of YAI's Long Island Services, and Tim Correll, a Self-Advocate, who recently moved into his own apartment. Using an extensive Housing Assessment Tool, which was created in Long Island for its Individual Support Services (ISS) program to promote independent living, YAI has already identified 60 individuals who have completed or in the process of finishing the Independent Living Program (ILP).
The tool is designed to evaluate readiness for independent living, covering numerous areas, including: what a person can do independently, where supports are needed, how to respond to different emergencies, including a fire or sudden illness, or even react to an angry roommate. The tool involves an in-depth conversation about what a person needs and would like to live more independently. There's also a picture book, which helps people decide what type of neighborhood setting and amenities they are looking for, such as urban or suburban, an elevator, near public transportation, a church, or grocery store.
"It opens up so many opportunities," Allison said. "It shows people what they can aspire to in the future."
A Better Quality of Life
Parent Diana Medina Mendez and Self-Advocates Marc Mendez (her son), Janice McPhillips and Tim also shared their perspectives with attendees.
Tim described joining YAI in 2011, receiving Community Habilitation, Employment Services and ILP. Last September he moved out of his parents’ home and into an apartment through YAI's Long Island ISS.
"Before I moved out, I was completely clueless as to how to budget money properly; I could barely cook," he said. "I don't think I would ever be able to hold a job or live independently without YAI. I've become a much more independent person and have improved the quality of my life by a substantial amount."