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Note from Donna regarding staff ID's & NYC transportation:

Here is the website for the MTA: web.mta.info/accessibility/rail.htm THIS WILL HOLD FOR THE LIRR: In regard to Personal Care Attendants it says: Personal Care Attendants (PCAs - people employed to assist individuals with disabilities) are eligible to ride the commuter railroads free when accompanying a passenger with a disability. Where required, the PCA must carry identification that shows that he or she is employed by an agency that provides services to people with disabilities. HOWEVER, Regarding NYC subways and buses: web.mta.info/accessibility/transit.htm Personal Care Attendants Personal Care Attendants (people who assist individuals with disabilities) are eligible to ride MTA subways and buses free when accompanying a person who is carrying an MTA New York City Transit Access-A-Ride MetroCard/ID card that designates PCA assistance is required. If “Personal Care Attendant – ‘Y(es)’ ” is not noted on the MTA New York City Transit Access-A-Ride MetroCard/ID card, the person(s) traveling with the customer is considered a guest and must pay the full fare. You might want to seek the regulations about Nassau and Suffolk buses from those agencies, Staff should definitely carry their agency-issued IDs. One more caveat: NOT ALL CONDUCTORS ON THE LIRR ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS REGULATION (I speak from experience!). I would recommend that staff print out the regulation, from the LIRR or MTA website and carry it with them, and the participant carry their MTA disability reduced far card. While most of the conductors are very pleasant, some are anything BUT and can be very arrogant and hostile! Think carefully about the temperament of your participant and how he or she can handle the uncertainty of not knowing whether the conductor will or will not accept the explanation that staff are PCAs who should ride for free. Will s/he have a meltdown if the conductor challenges their (legitimate!) claim? (note there are very high penalties for striking an MTA employee!!). This will not be an issue for the majority of participants--- but do know your client!!
posted on May 26, 2019 by HL

CDPAP INFO

Nassau County and Suffolk County
CDPAP NYC

Homecare Planning Solutions is a free resource serving the elderly and disabled of New York City. We work with patients and caregivers, as well as attorneys, discharge planners, and community social workers to resolve and process Medicaid and home care related issues. From Medicaid applications and pooled income trusts, to assisting with the gathering of doctor orders and arranging enrollments into Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plans, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way. Read below for more info on CDPAP:

10 Facts about the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) that you may have not known!

1. The parent of a son or daughter 21 or older can be the Personal Assistant (caregiver), and get paid through Medicaid.
2. This program can be used together with other programs in OPWDD, DOH, and DSS. Most often it is used together with Self Direction.
3. CDPAP is funded by Medicaid.
4. CDPAP Personal Assistant can perform tasks from housekeeping to a skilled nursing task!
5. Relatives, friends, or people from the community are allowed to be Personal Assistants.
6. No certifications are required in order for someone to be a Personal Assistant.
7. CDPAP is a task based program, which means an individual will get weekly hours based on the indirect activities of daily living (IADL’s) and activities of daily living (ADL’s). A myth is that people think there has to be many medical needs, this is not true.
8. The Consumer is the boss and manager of their Personal Assistants. The Consumer or their representative is allowed to interview, screen, hire and fire staff!
9. New York was the first State to come up with a Consumer Directed Program, now called CDPAP.
10. The individual receiving CDPAP can be any age from a pediatric to a senior, as long as the eligibility requirements are met.
If you have any questions about CDPAP feel free to contact Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
Community Care Home Health Services
West Main Street
Smithtown, New York 11787
www.communitycarecdpap.com
Let’s bust some myths about CDPAP:
CDPAP can be used together with OPWDD programs like Self Direction, Community Habilitation, etc.
CDPAP does not use any of the Self Direction budget. CDPAP funding is completely separate from OPWDD.
CDPAP recipients don’t need to have severe medical needs in order to be eligible for CDPAP. Instrumental activities of daily living like essential errands, cleaning, and laundry are examples of tasks covered in CDPAP.
This program is not for supervising or monitoring of the recipient. CDPAP is a task based program.
There is no minimum age or maximum age for a recipient to be eligible for CDPAP.
The recipients' health proxy is permitted to be the Personal Assistant.
If you have any questions about CDPAP feel free to contact me!
Joe Policastro
JPolicastro@premierhomehealthcare.com
Director of CDPAP Operations
Premier Home Health Care Services, Inc.
5 Bryant Park, 5th Floor
New York, NY, 10018
Office: 917-243-6671
Cell: 347-443-1436
Fax: 718-517-7645
posted on May 11, 2019 by HL

Long Island Herald

Check out our story on LI Herald!

posted on January 1, 2018 by HL