Assistance for SKIP Families: Post Hurricane Update
November 7, 2012—SKIP’s offices in lower Manhattan suffered significant damage during the hurricane. After being unable to get to the office for more than a week, we are now fully operational once again and we remain committed to helping SKIP families through this disaster. Please call your case manager if you need assistance.
Important! Medicaid Enrollment Now Required for all Doctors
October 4, 2012--As part of the new Affordable Care Act, the federal government is mandating that all Fee-for-Service doctors (i.e., not in Medicaid managed care) and other practitioners enroll in Medicaid in order to prescribe drugs, supplies and other services for patients who have Medicaid. These doctors must enroll even if they don’t ordinarily take care of Medicaid patients. 
People First Waiver Update: 7 Things You Need to Know
July 31, 2012 -- Since we last reported to you about the People First Waiver, a lot more has happened but most of it has been behind the scenes. In fact, you’d need to have been a very close fly on the wall to know what’s going on. Here are the facts and what we’ve observed.
Feds Deny 1115 Waiver; Mandate Different Path
May 8, 2012 -- While the course ahead for the goals of the 1115 Waiver remains cloaked in uncertainty, recent news points in a better direction than where we were headed before. Specifically, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not give OPWDD the go ahead for the 1115 Waiver. However, OPWDD remains committed to what they are now exclusively calling the People First Waiver which still aims to convert the delivery of health care services for people with developmental disabilities to a managed care model over the coming years. But now, they must pursue that path with more oversight.
The 1115 Waiver: A Moving Target
March 23, 2012—In our ongoing commitment to keeping the families and children we serve up to date on what’s happening with the 1115 Waiver, we are posting OPWDD answers to 1115 Waiver questions that were raised by agency directors and staff as part of a video conference on February 17th. We received them March 22.
1115 Waiver Update
Families Pack the House for OPWDD 1115 Waiver Meeting
OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke and Deputy Commissioner Jim Moran meet with families in a frank Q&A regarding concerns over proposed policy changes to Medicaid-funded services received by their children through OPWDD.
New York Times Reports on Impact, Status of New Definition of Autism
January 23, 2012—A New York Times article entitled "New autism definition may exclude many, study suggests," that appeared on Thursday, 1/19/12, reports, "Proposed changes in the defnition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and may make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests." For the full article, click here.
New Law Aims to Increase Organ Donors in New York
October 4, 2012--Thanks to 12-year-old Lauren Shields, there is a new law on the books that requires an organ donor question to appear on all driver's license applicataions. While New Yorkers account for nearly 9% of all children and adults on the organ donor list, it ranks nearly last among states in number of organ donors. The hope is the new law will increase the number of organ donors in New York. Lauren has advocated for the bill since undergoing heart transplant surgery in 2009.
A Look Inside SKIP
June 14, 2012 -- This video, produced for our recent Friendraiser, is a snapshot of what SKIP does and why it matters as seen through the eyes of SKIP families and staff.
Randall Doud, Thad Hartmann of Skadden & Arps Recognized for Outstanding Volunteerism
Give the Gift of Home
SKIP has the perfect gift for graduation, for birthdays, for any occasion: It's the SKIP Home Collection of pendants, earrings and charms finely crafted by the skilled artisans of Carelle. It's the perfect way to remind loved ones how home is always with them, providing support wherever they may go. Best of all, with this gift, you give twice because when you purchase one of these gorgeous pieces, all profits go to SKIP of New York and the hard work we are doing to help special needs kids live at home with their families.
Phoebe Snow on SKIP's 25th Anniversary
SKIP mom Phoebe Snow tells of her beloved daughter
and how SKIP helped
Kids Helping Kids: SKIP Kids Donate Their Artwork to Fundraiser
July 11, 2011—Nearly 60 SKIP kids donated drawings for a special art exhibit at SKIP's recent Friendraiser. All art was offered for sale; 100% of the funds raised went directly to getting kids off SKIP’s waiting list.