January 8, 2021
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OPWDD encourages providers outside of NYC to contact local health depts for vaccination planning
Effective immediately, in addition to using the vaccination distribution links that OPWDD provides to you to schedule appointments, OPWDD is encouraging OPWDD Provider Agencies outside of New York City to reach out to their local health department to plan for the vaccination of your prioritized staff and service recipients. As the vaccine program continues to expand across the state, more and more sites become available to seek vaccination. Local Health Departments can help your program connect to those opportunities.
In addition, to help individuals determine if they are eligible for the vaccine at any given time and to learn where they can access vaccine, click here for the New York State ‘Am I Eligible’ app.
DOH revises
return-to-work protocols
The New York State Department of Health has again revised the protocol for personnel returning to work. 
This replaces the revised protocol dated December 26, and aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's “Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure to COVID-19” and the December 14, 2020 “Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages.”
New link issued Jan. 8
OPWDD issues Crisis Intervention Services ADM on billing, service, documentation requirements
OPWDD has released a new ADM regarding Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD).
This ADM describes the billing, service, and documentation requirements for these CSIDD services. CSIDD is a time-limited crisis service, designed to help stabilize individuals, within their existing care networks.
Please be advised that the direct link to the PDF of this CSIDD ADM, sent by OPWDD on January 6, has been replaced. It is now found at
Updated OPWDD and DOH COVID-19 guidance related to vaccine prioritization
OPWDD and DOH have released the below additional guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine prioritization:
Find more information about the vaccine at:
Deadline extended to Jan.15
Complete the Preschool/School Age SED COVID-19 Pandemic Cost Reimbursement Survey
CP State has been working with the State Education Department (SED) to establish a process that will ensure that all approved preschool and school age programs for students with disabilities, that are subject to the rate-setting methodology, are timely and appropriately reimbursed for the additional costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. These costs are necessary to meet health and safety requirements to provide education services to students with disabilities.
A review of information from a number of approved programs clearly indicates that the additional costs of school reopening and maintaining health and safety guidelines compliance is significant. The approved programs cannot bear the financial burdens of these unforeseen costs given current reimbursement levels and rate setting parameters. In order to advocate with the State Education Department for a process that will ensure that all approved preschool and school age programs for students with disabilities are timely and appropriately reimbursed for additional COVID-19 pandemic costs, please complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SEDReimbSurvey by January 8,2021. 
Information provided to SED will be aggregated and no program will be identified.
Please contact thamel@cpstate.org or bcrosier@cpstate.org with any questions.
Station MD offering COVID-19 Vaccine 'Town Hall' webinar series
Sessions still available on Jan. 13, 15, 19
Join the doctors of StationMD to learn about the COVID-19 vaccine. • How the vaccines work
• How vaccines are tested and approved
• The benefits and risks
Following a brief presentation, they will open for questions about the vaccine for providers and those that they support. The webinar series will be led by a panel of esteemed physicians with a special dedication to individuals with IDD, and their circles of support.
There is limited room in each session, so please register early at the links below:
DOL clarifies employee versus independent contractor status
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today its final rule clarifying the standard for determining "employee versus independent contractor status" under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
In the Rule, the Department addresses several key factors, including:
  • Reaffirms an "economic reality" test
  • Identifies and explains two "core factors" that are most probative 
  • Identifies three other factors that may serve as additional guideposts 
  • The actual practice of the worker and the potential employer is more relevant than what may be contractually or theoretically possible.
  • Provides six fact-specific examples applying the factors.
Follow this link for more information and subsequent links to the Federal Register.
DOB will allow state reimbursement for 1:1 aides
The New York State Division of the Budget has announced they will allow state reimbursement for 1:1 aides for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years for both in-person and remote services. State reimbursement will only be provided for 1:1 aides for days on which the aides actually provide(d) either in-person or remote services consistent with the student’s IEP. State reimbursement will not be provided for days that 1:1 aides were laid off, furloughed, or did not provide support services to students consistent with IEP requirements. 
SED is working to update the claiming instructions on the STAC website.
NADSP webinar on
COVID-19 vaccines for DSPs
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has made available a webinar by Dr. Rick Rader entitled “The Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines for Direct Support Professionals”. Dr. Rader is a Board member of AADMD and on the National Council for Disabilities. 
CP State continues series on community building for people with I/DD
On the heels of Dr. Al Condeluci's highly informative session on seclusion and loneliness in the I/DD population, CP State is proud to announce a continuation of the series, with sessions scheduled through March!
Upcoming FREE sessions include:
  • Building Community through Social Capital – Wednesday, January 20 @ 10 a.m.
  • Community Mapping – Wednesday, February 3 @ 10 a.m.
  • 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.
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
COVID-19 Vaccination resources
In the past few days, there have been many informational materials issued for administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine:

All the materials about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the OPWDD COVID-19 webpage. As new guidance becomes available related to the vaccination process, it will also be posted on that page. Click here to sign up for OPWDD COVID-19 updates.
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