Sinergia's 2012 Christmas Celebration

Sinergia commemorates the holidays again this year with its annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 21st from 3:00 to 6:00pm. This is an annual tradition that has been sponsored by the NYC Sanitation Dept. for over two decades. It is the highlight of the year for children since they receive beautiful gifts from Santa Claus and there is a wonderful feast for the families. Other than our Summer Picnic this is the one occasion when families, staff and the community gather to celebrate the holidays together.

The entertainment this year will be provided by Iluminada Hilario who will sing English and Spanish Christmas songs as well as play the guitar. We will also have Johnny Cajigas and his wife sing and play a Christmas music medley.

Again this year we would like to say "thank you" to Scott Lancelot, Maria Quintero and the men of NYC Sanitation Dept. M7. We are also grateful to John Catsmatidis and his family for their generous support through the years.

We are very appreciative of our staff for their hard work, especially Doris Rodriguez who is the coordinator of the event, Michael Mitchell who will be Master of Ceremonies and the entire team for serving food, assuming hosting duties throughout the event and making sure the children and families are having a great time. Happy Holidays to all! ¡Felicidades a todos!

Note: Sinergia will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1st.

Sinergia Hosts NYAEMP's Family Forum

From the Desk of the NYAEMP President, Wafa Abboud

Good afternoon everyone,

As a result of the massive destruction and impact of Hurricane Sandy, I have waited to send you an overview of NYAEMP's Family Forum with OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke on October 25th at Sinergia. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am sharing with you some of the joy that those of us who were at the Forum experienced. The Family Forum was very successful on many levels. A number of you who were there have told us so, and we thank you. The room was packed, with many standing at the back of the room and in the hallway. All of the participants were moved by the power of the stories they heard that day. I was and am proud to be a member of NYAEMP and to be serving you as the President of the Board of Directors.

Commissioner Burke was accompanied by Jill Gentile (Deputy Commissioner), Donna Limiti (Regional Director 6 & 4) and Pat Sarli (Development of Community Services). They heard from 12 individuals and families representing 10 of our member agencies. Every story was very powerful, both in its personal content as well as the critical role played by the multicultural agency.

Among some of the powerful statements made by individuals/families were the following:

“A native of the Dominican Republic, Ms. P is non-English speaking, has physical disabilities and is often confronted with cultural challenges that impede her ability to advocate for her children. Ms. P did not receive early intervention services because Ms. P. was culturally indoctrinated with the belief that her daughter's behavior and developmental deficits were characteristic of a spoiled child." Ms. P’s agency helped her to understand her daughter’s challenges and was able to help her receive the necessary services.

“Being part of a multicultural agency means so much to me because: “They understand my religious needs making sure I always have a Com-Hab worker to help me with my cooking before Sabbath and the Jewish holidays, as well as making sure I have everything for the holidays...the dedicated staff always make sure I have workers that share my beliefs and are sensitive to the principles I hold dear. This is very important to me especially when my son (with disabilities) is around, so that he hears and sees only things that I would approve of."

"I didn't enjoy the foods on the menus that were done by the nutritionist, and the staff expressed this to her peers. My agency had someone come in and sit down with me and my peers to ask us what we would like to see on the menu. I stated that I like soul food...like collard greens, yams, and mac & cheese. Because this residence has a mixed ethnic group the menus have to appeal to all of us. This is not something that I can have at every agency. They worked with the nutritionist to help us get the foods we like, only healthier."

Commissioner Burke applauded the families for their courage and for the power of their stories. She was observed as being moved to near tears several times. The Commissioner stated that the stories "create fire in my belly and keep me going". She also stated that as OPWDD focuses more on service outcomes, "we need to partner with multicultural agencies…and bring them along with us as we change." Later in the Forum, Jill Gentile reiterated Commissioner Burke's commitment and stated in response to a question about the future of multicultural agencies, "We need them all."

As the president of NYAEMP I want to thank Yvette Watts and Allan Bergman for a magnificent job in preparing for and facilitating NYAEMP's Parent Forum. At the conclusion of the Forum, Yvette presented the Commissioner and Jill Gentile with notebooks containing the typed stories and photographs of the participants as a visual reminder of who we are and what we do.

I also want to thank our Host Mytra Cuadra-lash, Executive Director of Sinergia and her staff for making the afternoon a success with their warm hospitality. The room was filled to capacity with families, consumers and providers all of whom were warmed by the compelling stories everyone shared regarding the various agencies.

We need each other more than ever before. Please accept my thanks for your commitment to NYAEMP and our top priority for the year, which is to ensure the continuation, viability, sustainability and growth of New Yorks' multicultural agencies.

I also extend to you, your families and loved ones and to the individuals and families to whom you provide services and supports my best wishes for a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving. All of us have some things for which we are grateful at this time of year.

Below are pictures from the Parent Forum. Thank You, Wafa Abboud

Sinergia bands together to help victims of Hurricane Sandy

Washington Roca is a staff member at Sinergia. He lives in the Rockaways with his family and lost his car and most of his possessions during the hurricane. The staff at Sinergia had a fund drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy, specifically Washington. Below is a letter he sent to us in response.

American Psychiatric Association Approves DSM-5 Revision

Earlier this week, the American Psychiatric Association voted to accept the revised fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is used by clinicians nationwide to diagnose mental health conditions. DSM-5 will be published in spring 2013.

The revision introduces two fundamental changes in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two distinct autism subtypes, autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome, will be collapsed into one unifying diagnosis of ASD.

The current three symptom domains of social impairment, communication deficits and repetitive/restricted behaviors will become two: social communication impairment and repetitive/restricted behaviors.

These changes have a strong scientific rationale and will have a significant impact on how ASD is diagnosed. It can also affect access to services and influence how the prevalence of ASD is measured.

For more information visit Autism Speaks.
(Photo) 

College and Job Opportunties for People with Disabilities

Some resources for college and job opportunities for people with disabilities:

1. A series of free webinars on many different topics on postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). Families, professionals and students with ID can learn about strategies to prepare for college-based transition programs, work and community-based participation. Information will also be provided about legislative and policy changes that affect postsecondary education for students with ID. All webinars will be held from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Visit ICI Webinars.


2. GettingHired.com offers free services designed to help people with disabilities prepare for the workplace and build their careers. They also offer social networking opportunities that help individuals connect with each other and career mentors and match individual qualifications to specific job requirements.

Sinergia Jumps into Action After Hurricane Sandy

The recent tumultuous arrival of Superstorm Sandy did more than just cause destruction and disruption to the lives of thousands of people throughout the Tri-State area. The storm also provided Sinergia with an opportunity to witness the depth of commitment that our staff possesses. While the Residential administrative team, Deputy Executive Director Michael Mitchell, Director of Residential Services Rebecca Maitin, Lead Residential Manager Rolando Aquino, Residential Manager Johanna Echeverria and On-Site Manager David Bryant kept the lines of communication open and reviewed the situation almost on an hour by hour basis with the Executive Director, the true “Everyday Heroes” were the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and their team leaders, who rose to the occasion and took on extended shifts and responsibilities without hesitation. Many of these folks worked round the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of the people with disabilities that we serve in the residential department.

The DSPs came to work on the Saturday and Sunday before Sandy struck knowing full well that it might be nearly impossible to get home that night or the next day with the impending shutdown of all New York City mass transit services. These DSPs, some of whom live in Queens and Brooklyn, left their homes not knowing when they might be able to return or what they would be returning to. Despite that gnawing concern, they also understood that the fragile population that we serve needed their help. Upon arriving at their assignments, these staff members realized they were in for the long haul. We are proud to say that they all performed magnificently under such very difficult circumstances and they did not allow Sandy to stand in the way of delivering quality services. Sinergia would like to recognize and thank the following staff members for their courageous and selfless commitment to the people that we serve:
            On site Residential Manager David Bryant
            Team Leader Argenis P
            Team Leader Ralph Espinal
            Team Leader Gwen Baez
            Team Leader Dawn Dixon
            Team Leader Mellissa Baez
            Direct Support Professionals:
            Paul Mandeg                                  
            Korey St Hill
            Lovelie Pierre
            Delouris Snell
            Iluminada Hilario
           Fabienne Perides
           Marilyn Quinones
           Vanessa Green
           Barbara Johnson
           Frank Curbelo

We also want to express our gratitude to those DSPs who left their homes and found what could only be described as “imaginative” ways to get their sites and relieve their colleagues who had been on call in some cases for 36 hours.
 
A very similar sense of commitment could be seen at the Sinergia main office on Lexington Avenue in the days following Sandy’s arrival. While many not-for-profits and other businesses throughout the City of New York remained closed for the entire week following the storm, many of the Sinergia staff who work in the main office found a way to get in and we were open for business on the Wednesday following the storm.  Some drove, some car-pooled, some paid for cabs, some even walked blocks upon blocks, but they got in, and by noon on Wednesday the office was humming with activity.

The service interruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy were a great source of anxiety for many of the people with disabilities that we serve. However, many of these folks discovered that when they called our main office or stopped by, the MSCs, Case Managers, Coordinators, Fiscal and Administrative staff  were here and able to assist them with their issues. Likewise, the adults who attend the Day Habilitation program at the main office also arrived to find that many of their staff had found ways to get in from Brooklyn, Queens and other parts of the storm ravaged city.

We also need to recognize our housekeeping and maintenance staff who managed to find a way through the flooded streets and blocked avenues to come in and support the work being done at the main office, in the Day Habilitation program, the Residential program and on the administrative level.  Sinergia is very proud of the efforts of its entire staff and wants to be sure that they and their commitment to the people we serve is appreciated and recognized.                                                                           (Photo)

New York’s Autism Insurance Reform Law is Now in Effect

It’s time to celebrate!  It’s the month of November and New York’s autism insurance reform law is now in effect. 

What does this mean for you and your child suspected of having autism spectrum disorder?  It means that from November 1, 2012 forward, as state-regulated insurance plans file to renew, they will be required to cover the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

It is important to note that this law was enacted last year and required regulations to be promulgated regarding those who provide behavioral health treatment, including applied behavioral analysis. These regulations were to be implemented by the insurance superintendent in consultation with the commissioners of health and education.

Emergency regulations were released so that the law could go into effect November 1 as intended. These emergency regulations will then be followed by a notice of proposed rulemaking, providing everyone an opportunity to comment once the rule is published in the State Register.

In the meantime, if you need information about the law, please visit Autism Speak’s website  where you will find a one-page summary as well as a link to the actual language of the new law. They will post a link to the emergency regulations once they are available online. We will also keep you posted of any new developments.

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¡Es tiempo de celebrar! Es el mes de noviembre y la ley que reforma los seguros que cubren el autismo en el estado de Nueva York ya está en vigor.

¿Qué significa esto para usted si sospecha que su niño puede estar diagnosticado con el trastorno del espectro autista? Quiere decir que a partir del 1 de noviembre de 2012 en adelante, los planes de seguro regulados por el estado que desean renovar estarán obligados a cubrir la detección, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los trastornos del espectro autista.

Es importante señalar que esta ley fue promulgada el año pasado y requiere que los reglamentos necesarios sean promulgados en relación con aquellos que proveen tratamiento de salud mental, incluyendo el análisis aplicado del comportamiento. Estas normas se aplicaran por el superintendente de seguros, en consulta con los comisionados de la salud y la educación.

Reglamentos de emergencia fueron puestos en libertad para que la ley pueda entrar en vigor el 1 de noviembre como estaba previsto. Estas normas de emergencia serán seguidas por un aviso de reglamentación propuesta, ofreciendo a todos la oportunidad de comentar una vez que la norma se publica en el Registro del Estado.

Mientras tanto, si usted necesita más información acerca de la ley, por favor visite la página web de Autism Speaks donde encontrará un resumen de una página, así como un enlace con el texto real de la nueva ley. Ellos van a publicar un enlace a las normas de emergencia una vez que están disponibles en línea; también les mantendremos informados de cualquier novedad.