C4SD Housing Roundtable - Schedule and Outline for March 2024 - Start Date is 3/8/24
The Coalition For Self-Direction (C4SD) was started in November 2023, “to protect the constitutional right of choice” for New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who rely on Self-Directed Services. Since November 2023, C4SD has been focused on some timely issues surrounding Community Class topics. We published “Community Class: Know Your Rights - February 2024 Update”. There has been some progress with Community Class issues, and we believe it is now time to address the BIG Topics. They are:
Housing in a Self-Directed world; and
Sustainability of Communities - Our goal is to address the always lingering question that all families and Parents have in Self-Direction: What happens when I (the Parents) die?
Our next 4-part roundtable discussion will focus on Housing and will commence on Friday, March 8th at 9am. The schedule is:
1) Friday March 8, 2024 at 9 am - Current Self-Directed Housing Models in NY State on Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83545854967
Yes, there are existing models in NY State, and our presenters will include SD housing models/programs that are up and running:
Lisa Liberatore of Luv Michael Southampton, NY will present the 4 homes that are up and running for her son Michael and many others. They have a unique relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church of Southampton, and Lisa will also talk about her upcoming September 9, 2024 Housing Conference.
Paul Egan of Binghamton, NY will present A Home of My Own which has been running for almost 5 years now for their son Ryan and two friends.
Cindy Romanowski of Buffalo will present Marcus House.
Jackie Ceonzo will present Joey in the City, where Joe Ceonzo and his friends are living in two apartments.
Mike Sweeney of Endeavor 21+ and Karma House will host the call and discuss the 10 houses that have been purchased by families surrounding the Threefold Campus/Farm in Rockland County, NY. The community is “Camphill Inspired”, but it has a unique evolving model in the Self-Directed world.
2) Friday March 15, 2024 at 9 am on Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83545854967 - Housing Projects - How do we get them started, approved, and moving?
Trish Albanese and Marilyn Jeffery of Smokey Hollow in Syracuse will talk about their experience of ALMOST getting approvals for their project. They will discuss the ins and outs of Albany.
3) Legal and Lobbying Strategy: April, 2024
As a group, we will construct our priorities, and our Lobbyist Vincent Rossetti and our Lawyer Kim Richman will address the variety of options for our priorities in securing Self Directed Housing. Kim and Vinny will explore policy approaches, possible fixes, define legal issues, and potential action. This is a tentative date, and we may do an in-person meeting, details to follow.
4)Town Hall for Housing Initiative
We will set up a future Zoom meeting to disseminate findings, progress, and setbacks later in the Spring.
#AeternusUmbra (watch forever)
