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

The 2023 holiday season has ended, and we begin a new year filled with fresh hope and new resolutions to be happy and healthy. We’ve gathered some tips from our behavioral health and health care management team and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for managing your mental health.

• Socialize: As you enter the New Year, you may find you have an interest in new activities which can promote good physical and mental health. Social engagement is important to maintaining your overall wellness and as you know, opportunities to help others at the same time are abundant.
• Helping others: Doing something nice for someone else can result in positive emotions, a sense of meaningfulness and value, and new social connections, and it can provide a sense of intrinsic reward. It doesn't have to take a great deal of effort or time, and you can engage your family and/or friends in your efforts.
• Check your feelings: Acknowledging your feelings is the first step to addressing and nurturing them.
• Practice self-care: Treat yourself with kindness and avoid self-criticism. It is also important to schedule time for yourself and activities that recharge your mind and body.
• Taking care of your body: A big part of mental health has to do with your physical health. Make sure you drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, exercise throughout the week, and get enough sleep.
• Use your coping skills: Stress and anxiety are a natural part of life. Practicing good coping skills can help relieve overwhelming feelings. Take a walk, play with your pet, or even write in a journal. Research also shows that laughter not only boosts your immune system but also relieves pain, relaxes your body, and reduces stress.
• Make a plan: When you feel sad, stressed, or alone: This plan might include calling a friend or family member, going for a walk, participating in an activity that brings joy, or watching a favorite movie. Having a plan helps ensure that difficult moments are more manageable.

Please seek additional support if needed.  If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety, please contact your Care Manager. Care Design NY Care Managers received the nationally recognized evidence-based training program, Mental Health First Aid certification. They know the signs to look for and have skills to help develop a plan of action to get individuals the support they need. Click here to learn more. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

We’d love your ideas on what you are doing this month to bring more joy into the winter months! Click on the button below to send us your thoughts. Wishing you a joy filled 2024!

Dear Provider:

Partners Health Plan (PHP) wants to provide you with an update regarding the ARPA Workforce Stabilization Payment Initiative.

PHP has recently been informed that the State is targeting distribution of the ARPA Workforce Stabilization Payments second tranche during the first quarter of 2024. As soon as we receive specific timing, or any other updates as to when the distribution will occur a follow-up communication will be sent to you.

Just as a reminder, this installment will include funds associated with the following elements: 

• Retention Payment (including any payments for those now attesting)
• Vaccination Incentive (corrected surveys)
• Longevity Payment (for those who were missing from the initial November installment as well as those now attesting)
• COVID-19 Service (corrected surveys)

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)