Dear Members, Families, and Friends,

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has chosen this year’s theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM); “A World of Opportunities, we’re celebrating people and working together to remove obstacles. Our goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed.”

This aligns with our mission and our work to advocate for the rights of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) so they may live life to the fullest! Our entire team is focused on supporting and empowering Partners Health Plan members and families.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities represents a variety of conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and many others. The individuals we support require various specialized IDD care coordination support and services to meet their unique needs. This requires advocacy, which is at the heart of our work.

We advocate for individuals with IDD so they may have safe and secure housing, employment opportunities, access to tailored IDD medical and mental healthcare, behavioral support services, and other services that are essential for managing chronic conditions.

Our work champions inclusivity and accessibility to enable individuals with IDD to live independently, achieve their life goals, participate in society on their terms, and fully engage in their communities. At the core, we recognize members for their abilities and contributions!

On behalf of the entire Partners Health Plan team during Disabilities Awareness Month, we are grateful for members, families, and friends who support our mission to assist individuals with IDD live quality lives. Thank you!

 Sincerely,


Kerry Delaney
CEO

Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and promotes their full participation in all aspects of society, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the incredible diversity, strength, and resilience of the disability community. This month is all about raising awareness, fostering inclusion, and embracing the unique talents and perspectives of all individuals with disabilities.

Let's amplify voices, share stories, and work towards a more accessible and equitable world for everyone. Whether you're attending events, participating in discussions, or simply learning more, every action counts. Together, we can make a difference!

Do you have an INSPIRING story to share during Disability Pride Month in July? We would love to feature your story on how you are triumphing in your journey to living the life you choose in our Stories That Matter Series.  

For the past two years, New York State has not invested in direct care staff who work for nonprofit agencies (just those who work in State operated facilities).  Individuals with IDD and their families, our members, need the individuals they depend upon to earn a living wage. The system is in crisis! 

A phone campaign is underway for advocates to call Governor Hochul and tell her to invest in people with IDD by making DSPs who work in nonprofit agencies a budget priority.  

Please help elevate awareness! Follow these steps:

STEP 1: Call Governor Hochul's office at: 518-474-8390, press 3, then press 2 to speak to a person or 1 to leave a message.

STEP 2: Message script:

My name is (NAME) from (your city/town) and I am (a person IDD/family member of a person with IDD/friend of a person with IDD). I am calling to urge Governor Hochul to include money in the Executive budget proposal for Direct Care professionals who support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). These are essential workers for the health, safety, and quality of life for people with IDD. They need a living wage as they barely earn above the minimum wage and are leaving their employment to find work to support their families. Our state has a terrible worker shortage because NY doesn’t pay a living wage for non-profit Direct Care Professionals.  We need Gov Hochul to include a wage increase for Direct Care Professionals who work for NON-PROFIT IDD PROVIDERS in her Executive Budget proposal. Thank you!

STEP 3: When you've made your phone call, please enter in this tracking form: Record your participation in Call The Governor Campaign (google.com)

Partners Health Plan will be at the 2022 Hudson Valley Autism Conference: Living Your Best Life Neurodiverse Partnerships to share information about PHP, member benefits and more.  LEARN MORE about the conference and how you can register to join.

Meet Margaret! Partners Health Plan Member, Margaret, began working for the Department of Labor during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, after working for the Department of Transportation for many years.  This is her employment story told by her dedicated Care Manager, Barbara!

What can I tell you about Margaret?  She is joy personified and she lives her best life every day.  Margaret recently turned 70 but she is evergreen.  Margaret works 3 days a week at the NYS Department of Labor (DOL), where she does a fantastic job.  Margaret was brave enough to start her job at the DOL during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She was not worried.  In fact, she was excited to work more hours and have a set schedule. Margaret is proud of her job and has a phenomenal work ethic and independence.  She doesn’t allow herself to be held back and always exceeds expectations.  Margaret enthusiastically approaches each task with a spring in her step and a smile on her face.   

Prior to COVID, Margaret worked with an entire crew at the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Garden City for many years, so when she began at the DOL, she had to learn new skills, including how to maneuver a commercial Rubbermaid cleaners’ cart in and out of a small elevator before the door shuts, and in and out of small office doors.  Margaret also had to learn what products and supplies were necessary to do the job.  Once her job coach shadowed her throughout the day, now she only meets with him at the end of her shift to go home.  Margaret has a big smile every day that reflects the pride and sense of accomplishment she feels about herself and the job.   

Margaret also knows that her job is important and that she needs to maintain her focus throughout the day.  She is well aware of her need to continually practice COVID protocols while she is at work.  She understands the importance of remaining safe while she cleans high-touch surfaces, in high-traffic areas.  No matter what, Margaret is unfailingly friendly and polite.  She knows to always knock on doors when entering offices and conference rooms.  Margaret appreciates the other employees and has stated that they are always nice to her.  However, she enjoys when she can work alone, where she can be found cleaning while she sings and dances to her theme song, the Donna Summer classic, “She Works Hard for the Money” and if you ask her about her job, she’ll tell you:  “I don’t just like my job, I Iove my job.” 

Specialized Dental Care for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Comes to Metro NY.

January 9, 2023 — New York
Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are known to have poorer oral/dental health than people without IDD. Studies show that people with IDD have 30% more untreated cavities, 50% more missing teeth, and 150% more gum disease.

The biggest reason for this health disparity is access to oral health care for children and adults with IDD: lack of preventive and regular care, including management of secondary medical conditions that are related to oral health, leads to more significant oral health problems. Wait times for IDD specialized services can be as long as a year at practices and dental school programs that offer them.

But Partners Health Plan (PHP), a NY-based health plan that is exclusively dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with IDD, is committed to ensuring the oral health of its members.

“Improving access to dental care for our community of service in New York State is mission-critical,” added Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, Partners Health Plan. “Our overarching goal is to improve the quality of life of our members and the relationship between oral health and overall well-being is well established.”

To achieve this goal, PHP has partnered with Solvere Health to deploy specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York to reduce travel demands. Solvere Health is a company that specializes in the delivery of high-quality clinical services through group health events via mobile medical units or pop-up clinics to underserved populations. Individuals with IDD may struggle with the sights, sounds and experiences encountered during dental care, and the PHP-Solvere Dental Health Program will conduct specialized desensitization sessions to prepare individuals for the dental care experience and mobile clinic environments. The mobile dental units are also fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.

“Expanding the availability of quality healthcare services to underserved communities is central to Solvere Health's mission. We view the collaboration with Partner Health Plan as a way to make quality dental care accessible to persons with I/DD,” stated Edward Lorch, CEO, Solvere Health, “Our mobile clinics offer a solution that is empathetic and considerate. We factor in the patient population's comfort (including desensitization), convenience, mobility, and communication. When engineering and staffing the mobile clinic, we understand that taking a holistic view of the patient leads to a positive oral healthcare experience and repeat preventative care.”

“This mobile dental clinic initiative is a very exciting opportunity as it will open access to oral healthcare,” noted Rita Marie Bilello, DDS, CEO, and former Dental Director of Metro Community Health Centers. “This new dental care model will bridge a much-needed gap for Partners Health Plan (PHP) members, all adults with IDD, who have been unable to access routine preventative oral health care services. Mobilizing dental services will begin to address some of the access issues and will allow for PHP to better assist in getting their members the oral care that they need.”

The first mobile dental clinic for PHP members is scheduled at the PHP corporate headquarters located at 2500 Halsey Street in the Bronx on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Future mobile health clinic locations will include locations in the New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County where PHP operates. PHP welcomes partnerships with local agencies to serve as destination sites for a mobile clinic.

For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

News organizations that want to attend/cover the first clinic should reach out to Elizabeth Wales, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 518-410-5629.

About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County. For more information, visit www.phpcares.org.

About Solvere Health
Working with state and federal, institutional, and corporate partners, Solvere Health brings a business discipline to health challenges across the United States through onsite, mobile, and digital healthcare solutions. Deploying a team of highly motivated, accountable problem solvers, we stand up sustainable, end-to-end programs in rapid response to group health events, disaster relief, and underserved rural communities, via onsite pop-ups, mobile clinics, and strategically placed brick-and-mortar locations. Our efficient approach combines exacting strategic planning, comprehensive compliance management, unparalleled logistics, state-of-the-art mobile healthcare technology, and emerging digital health applications.

Dear Members, Families, and Friends,

Across the country today, June 19, we mark the 159^th anniversary of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, as it is also known. Juneteenth, a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth," celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in the United States. Our offices are closed to demonstrate our commitment to racial justice and to support our core values in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

Establishing Juneteenth as a corporate holiday is one of many actions we have taken to promote understanding and foster mutual respect. Our foundational DEIB work is shaping a transformative culture to advocate for greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our workplace and in support of members and families.

On June 13, we held our first DEIB Round Table for external stakeholders. The event provided a forum to listen and gather issues that matter to members and families. These diverse insights and perspectives will help to inform our advocacy strategies for members and families to ensure they represent the diverse perspectives of our members. 

Our advocacy platform is built on a strong foundation of championing disability inclusion and bringing about meaningful change for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). In our proactive efforts, we are advocating for safe and affordable housing, meaningful employment, education, access to culturally competent holistic health care, and adequate funding in the IDD delivery support system. We are committed to advocating for individuals with IDD so they may participate fully, safely, and free from prejudice in their everyday lives.

Let us gather and celebrate this Juneteenth to reflect on the history and contributions of the Black and Latin American communities. The 2024 national Juneteenth theme, “Their Wildest Dreams,” honors the achievements of freed slaves and their descendants. It is a reminder that our history is important and that while some progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. Click here for details on 2024 Juneteenth events in New York State communities that will provide opportunities for us to learn, celebrate and reflect on the holiday’s historical significance.

Our commitment to members and families is embodied in our values. These values help us demonstrate our priority of helping people with IDD live life to the fullest and on their terms. On Juneteenth, and beyond, let us discover our similarities and find new ways to shine our light and support each other!

In Gratitude & Community,

Kerry Delaney, CEO

NYC FAIR is hosting a virtual Town Hall on Thursday, 11.9 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Guest speakers include:

• Becki Lifford, Assistant Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives, OPWDD
• Cathy Varano, Chief Administrative Officer, Care Design NY
• Randy Bolton, Executive Committee, NYC FAIR

Register to attend and learn more about what a Life Plan is, what it includes, and why it’s helpful. Submit any questions in advance via the online registration form or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The join link will be emailed ahead of the meeting.

Learn More | Register

Partners Health Plan was a featured MediSked Podcast guest on January 4, 2023,. The podcast entitled, “Inclusion Benefits All-- The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals” delivered important information on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Karleen Haines, Chief of Member Relations & Advocacy in the podcast’s Q&A delivered key points on the value of eliminating barriers and diversifying the workforce, especially if the hiring goals are embedded in the organization’s mission.

Listeners are asked thought provoking questions such as, “What type of support do I need to provide individuals, so they are successful? What are the positive outcomes when employing people with a disability? How are we writing the job descriptions and recruiting to ensure we have a diverse candidate pool?”

PHP Member, Ackeem Duggan, shared his personal employment journey. We learn about his challenges and ultimate rewards of financial gain, stability, independence, professional, and personal growth, community inclusion and belonging, making new friends, and experiencing improved mental health and personal well-being.

The program emphasizes that successful employment outcomes are rooted in advocacy. This episode is a testament to effective care management and coordination to assist individuals with disabilities live their best lives. Care Managers, who are fierce advocates for the individuals they support, ensure the necessary supports and services are in place. Does an individual have a job coach who can help them make meaningful connections and provide training and onboarding support?

Ackeem describes how those pieces and previous successes were in place for him. Today, he is happy and successful working for the NYPD Director of Community Affairs.

 Listen to this episode and let us know what you think! Ep. 10: Inclusion Benefits All – The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals - MediSked, LLC

Inclusion Benefits All: An Employment Success Story

Learning Objectives:

• The business case for inclusion of employees with IDD and neurodiversity in the workplace
• How circle of support teams can advocate in the current state of employment for those with disabilities
• A personal story of employment success and growth, of a talented and determined individual

Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, present "Value and Outcomes in IDD Care: A Radical Proposal” at the NY Alliance Annual Conference on April 19, 2023. The presentation focused on new models for outcomes measurement and value of services provided to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. Dr. Merahn explored how to drive meaningful impact for individuals with IDD, supporting their efforts to fully participate (emotionally, socially, economically) and succeed as active, productive members of family and community.

Dr. Steven Merahn also presented on Autism Outcomes at the annual meeting of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) in Tampa, FL on April 23, 2023. Dr. Merahn’s “Radical Proposal” engaged participants in a discussion about the ongoing challenges of defining the value of services provided to children with autism and how to best measure them. The goal is to look beyond autism symptoms and help map a plan for children with autism across their lifespan. CASP is an international trade association of autism service provider organizations focused on delivering quality, safe and effective care.   

On April 19, Karleen Haines, Chief of Member Relations and Advocacy with PHP member, Ackeem Duggan, presented, “Inclusion Benefits All: An Employment Journey," at the NY Alliance Annual Conference. An inspiring employment journey of an individual to achieve independence and community involvement and how advocacy paved his bright future of employment and other neurodiverse individuals in the country and in New York.

Recruiting, hiring, and maintaining a workforce inclusive for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) form the bedrock of this presentation. 

Ackeem works for the New York City Police Department as the Director of Community Affairs Bureau. LEARN MOREabout Ackeem's employment story.

Partners Health Plan (PHP) has expanded dental services to its members, adults (21 years and older) with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Through its nonprofit, non-traditional tailored IDD care model, PHP partnered with Solvere Health to bring mobile dental clinics to members, making oral care accessible.

On Saturday, May 6, the Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics (iAHD) hosted the mobile dental clinic at their Bainbridge dayhab location. PHP members were treated by oral health care providers with specific expertise related to individuals with IDD.

Erica Robinson, iAHD Director of Clinical Supports stated,

“It was amazing that we were able to have thirteen individuals receive dental services on Saturday on location at IAHD! The collaboration with Partners Health Plan, Solvere Health, and iAHD is the future of dental services for people supported.”

Karleen Haines, Chief of DEIB & Member Advocacy, Veronica Crawford, Individual and Family Liaison and Self-Advocate, and Carrie Delong, RN, Director of Health Care Management presented, "Managing my Health and Wellness" at The New York Alliance's Living & Working in the Community Conference; an event focused on innovative, best practices in Self-Direction. 

Workshop participants received tips, tools, and resources to support individuals in achieving and maintaining independence through overall health and wellness. 

Partners Health Plan is a not-for-profit managed care organization serving individuals with IDD to support their goals and dreams. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SELF DIRECTION

Self-care means something different to everyone. What may be self-care for one, may be stressful for another.

• Healthy Diet
• Hydration 
• Reading a book
• Listening to music
• Watching a movie
• Exercise
• Enjoy Nature- Hike, etc. 
• Gardening
• Fishing
• Church or other Spiritual activities
• Time with family
• Time with a pet
• Cooking/baking
• Traveling
• Spa day
• Enjoy a hobby

Have a nourishing routine: create a life around yourself that benefits your mental health and the areas of your life that need support. Make little changes first!

A specialized mobile dental clinic, in partnership with Solvere Health, brought dental care and smiles to Partners Health Plan (PHP) members on February 18. PHP is the first-in-the-nation, non-profit, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with IDD. We are dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare to assist members in living quality lives.

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are known to have poorer oral/dental health than people without IDD. Studies show that people with IDD have 30% more untreated cavities, 50% more missing teeth, and 150% more gum disease.

The biggest reason for this health disparity is access to oral health care for children and adults with IDD: lack of preventive and regular care, including management of secondary medical conditions that are related to oral health, leads to more significant oral health problems. Wait times for IDD specialized services can be as long as a year at practices and dental school programs that offer them.

But Partners Health Plan (PHP), a NY-based health plan that is exclusively dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with IDD, is committed to ensuring the oral health of its members.

“Improving access to dental care for our community of service in New York State is mission-critical,” added Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, Partners Health Plan. “Our overarching goal is to improve the quality of life of our members and the relationship between oral health and overall well-being is well established.”
To achieve this goal, PHP has partnered with Solvere Health to deploy specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York to reduce travel demands.

Solvere Health is a company that specializes in the delivery of high-quality clinical services through group health events via mobile medical units or pop-up clinics to underserved populations. Individuals with IDD may struggle with the sights, sounds and experiences encountered during dental care, and the PHP-Solvere Dental Health Program will conduct specialized desensitization sessions to prepare individuals for the dental care experience and mobile clinic environments. The mobile dental units are also fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.

“Expanding the availability of quality healthcare services to underserved communities is central to Solvere Health's mission. We view the collaboration with Partner Health Plan as a way to make quality dental care accessible to persons with I/DD,” stated Edward Lorch, CEO, Solvere Health, “Our mobile clinics offer a solution that is empathetic and considerate. We factor in the patient population's comfort (including desensitization), convenience, mobility, and communication. When engineering and staffing the mobile clinic, we understand that taking a holistic view of the patient leads to a positive oral healthcare experience and repeat preventative care.”

“This mobile dental clinic initiative is a very exciting opportunity as it will open access to oral healthcare,” noted Rita Marie Bilello, DDS, CEO, and former Dental Director of Metro Community Health Centers. “This new dental care model will bridge a much-needed gap for Partners Health Plan (PHP) members, all adults with IDD, who have been unable to access routine preventative oral health care services. Mobilizing dental services will begin to address some of the access issues and will allow for PHP to better assist in getting their members the oral care that they need.”

About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County. For more information, visit www.phpcares.org.

About Solvere Health
Working with state and federal, institutional, and corporate partners, Solvere Health brings a business discipline to health challenges across the United States through onsite, mobile, and digital healthcare solutions. Deploying a team of highly motivated, accountable problem solvers, we stand up sustainable, end-to-end programs in rapid response to group health events, disaster relief, and underserved rural communities, via onsite pop-ups, mobile clinics, and strategically placed brick-and-mortar locations. Our efficient approach combines exacting strategic planning, comprehensive compliance management, unparalleled logistics, state-of-the-art mobile healthcare technology, and emerging digital health applications.