Independent Support Services, Inc.

Dear ISS Stakeholders, As these remain challenging times for all us, we would like to update you on some of the new legislation/guidelines that have come from New York State that specifically impacts the delivery of Self-Direction services. We would also like to give you some reminders in regards to certain items. ...Continue reading

Update on COVID-19 and Services Provided Dear ISS Stakeholders, We hope you are adjusting to these difficult times. We wanted to take a few moments to provide some reminders and updates....Continue reading

In response to the question of having a way to verify Support Staff are Essential Employees, noted below is a letter that can be downloaded and printed for staff to carry with them showing they are working. We will also have this letter on our website at issny.org under the news section at the bottom of the home page. If a staff wants a specific letter with their name on it, please email [email protected] and request it.... To print: 3/23/2020 To Whom It May Concern: Independent Support Services, Inc. with offices in Monticello and Hauppauge New York, provides support to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout New York State. Independent Support Services, Inc. operates and is authorized by New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Due to this authorization our agency is considered an essential business and is exempt from the restrictions in the Governor’s Executive Order, EO 202.7. The individual carrying this letter is considered an essential employee and works for Independent Support Services, Inc. as a Direct Support Professional. He or she provides services to an individual/s with developmental disabilities living in their own home. Should further verification be needed please call 794-5218 and ask for Human Resources or email us at [email protected]. Thank you, Laurie Cirillo-Carter Assistant Executive Director of Administrative Services

Independent Support Services, Inc. Due to this unprecedented time we have been receiving some of the same questions. Below are the two most frequently asked questions and answers. What is FAPTO (Family Approved Paid Time Off):...Continue reading

Interim Guidance from OPWDD regarding Com Hab Hello all We just received interim guidance from OPWDD in regards to Community Habilitation and wanted to share with you all as soon as possible. As per NYS, Direct Support Professionals ( DSPs) are considered an essential employees. Com Hab Staff are considered DSPs and are essential employees. Being an essential employee means that they can continue to go to work if there were ever to be a shelter in place order. ...Continue reading

Accounts Payable Message Important AP Note All expense reimbursements uploaded through the portal must include a signed expense form or they will be held up for payment. AP has posted an additional list of suggestions for expense uploads on our website . Scroll down to the news articles, click read more, then the word .... Please take a few moments to review and follow the suggestions on this list. Thank you for your cooperation. AP Department

Updated Announcement with Important Information Regarding COVID-19 Independent Support Services would like you to know that we are as concerned as you during this unprecedented time of uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 virus. At this time, we want to notify our stakeholders about some critical information. We encourage Participants and their Circle of Support to reach out to their Care Managers, Brokers and then their Self-Direction Coordinators with any concerns or question...Continue reading

Important Announcement from ISS In lieu of the growing concerns regarding the Coronavirus, ISS has cancelled the March 31, 2020 Parent Council meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, June 30, 2020

An important reminder regarding Coronavirus prevention! Independent Support Services, Inc. wants to ensure that all of our Self-Directed participants, family members and self-hired staff are aware of and are practicing the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control(CDC) to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The CDC recommends the following: -actively encourage sick employees to stay home. Direct Support Staff receive PTO which should be used in this situation... -take care when you cough or sneeze to cover your mouth with tissue or cough and sneeze into your elbow -avoid touching your face if possible -wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds multiple times during the day or use hand sanitizer -avoid crowds if possible Let’s be cautious, use preventative measures and hope we all stay healthy and virus free

New rules from OPWDD regarding Self-Direction Budget and Services Out-of State OPWDD has revised the rules that apply to using your Self-Direction budget and services out-of state. Beginning January 1, 2020, the following changes apply:... Any requests submitted after the date of the out-of-state request will be returned and not reimbursed. If staff are present during the out-of-state trip, they can only work within the same scope, frequency and duration of their responsibilities, as they do when in State. For those who live very close to a neighboring State, we can approve a blanket out-of-state request for a specific time period for day trips. However, we will then require that you record the date and location of the neighboring out-of-state trip(s) on the monthly summary notes to serve as documentation for reimbursement. Otherwise, they may be returned.

First, we request again that you read all previous communications, as we are still getting a large amount of employees who are not following instructions and this tool will not be successful for you if you do not follow the procedure. Key points: Either mail OR upload, NOT both. The due date is the due date regardless of which method you use. If you upload past the due date, you will miss the scheduled payment. DO NOT select a different participant if the one you are looking ...for is unavailable. Please go back and read the communications from us, it is important information. Second, we would like to update you on a new feature: You will now be sent an email regardless if your timesheet is ACCEPTED or REJECTED. If you do not receive an email after one FULL business day, log on to the portal and you will see a status next to the timesheet which will also show the reason if it was rejected. If it still shows pending after a FULL business day, then please contact us. Do not upload it again unless you have a rejection and have fixed what the problem was. If you are unsure, please do not upload again, contact us to find out what is going on. Thank you and please go back and read the email communications in their entirety so that we can all use this tool successfully. Payroll Department [email protected] 845-794-5218 option 2

Exciting News! On December 5th, ISS participant, Brittany Shiavone won the 2019 L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth award. Congrats to Brittany. https://www.lorealparisusa.com/women-of-worth.aspx

REMINDER FROM ISS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: With the hectic Holidays fast approaching, the Accounts Payable Department would like to remind everyone to please send in your expenses timely. We kindly request that you send in all paperwork within 30 days of the end of the month of service to guarantee that the request does not expire before it can be reviewed for payment. For example, if the last day of service is October 30th, your expense should be sent to our office by November 30th.