October 10, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Alerts and Updates

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Hurricane Sandy Alerts and Updates

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Updates

December 12, 2012 Hurricane Sandy Survey Questions & Answers Document Released
In an effort to further assist providers impacted by Hurricane Sandy to complete a survey that is collecting costs and statistical information, OASAS has posted a detailed Questions & Answers document.
December 11, 2012 GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE DEADLINE EXTENDED
Residents of thirteen declared counties may apply for FEMA disaster assistance through January 28, 2013

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the deadline for residents living in one of the thirteen disaster-declared counties to register for FEMA assistance has been extended to January 28, 2013. The previous deadline was December 31, 2012.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Residents in the following counties are eligible for assistance: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Rockland, Westchester, Suffolk, Queens, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster.

"As we work to help communities get back on their feet, this extension will be a big help to New Yorkers who were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy," Governor Cuomo said. "As we move into the holiday season and start the New Year, this extension will allow affected families and individuals extra time to apply for much-needed assistance to help rebuild and recover."

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at fema.gov.

Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
December 4, 2012 Hurricane Sandy Survey Released - In partnership with the Department of Health and the Offices of Mental Health and Persons with Developmental Disabilities, OASAS has released a survey to gather costs and statistical information from providers who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The information collected in the survey will provide an estimate of costs and damages related to health and behavioral healthcare providers due to Hurricane Sandy. Surveys are due to the Department of Health by Friday, December 14, 2012. The survey instrument and instructions are located on the OASAS website.

December 3, 2012

 Technical Bulletin from the New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration: Electrical Systems and Equipment in Flood-damaged Structures Added 12/3/12 
November 19, 2012 PM Federal HUD has provided guidance to assist HUD housing providers in assessing the eligibility of participants for homeless assistance who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy in the declared counties of Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. More information is available in the attached documents.
  • Original HUD Memorandum Issued November 16,2012 
  • Provider Guidance for Determining Homeless Status in Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas Affected by Hurricane Sandy 
November 16, 2012 PM BRIEFING SCHEDULE FOR FEMA APPLICANTS
 

SOEM
REG.

COUNTY

DATE

TIME

CONTACT

LOCATION

BRIEFER
(DAR)

1

NYC

11/19

Session I: 10am-12pm
Session II: 2pm-4pm

Stacy Rosenfeld
[email protected]

49-51 Chambers Street,
New York

C. Holmes/
F. Ferro

2

Rockland

11/20

10am

Christopher Jensen
845-364-8902

Rockland Co. Fire Training Ctr.
35 Fireman’s Memorial Dr.
Pomona

MA Wollaber/
S. Norton

 

State Agencies

11/27

10am

Tracey Drobner

NYS OEM
1220 Washington Avenue
Bldg. 22

TBD/
R. Lupe
November 9, 2012 PM Information for Providers and Patients related to Medicare Drug Benefit:
  • Enrollment Opportunities for Individuals Affected by Hurricane Sandy Following the Annual Enrollment Period 
  • Reminder of Pharmacy and Provider Access during a Federal Disaster or Other Public Health Emergency Declaration 
  • Visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website for information necessary to ensure continuity of health care services for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
November 9, 2012 AM Commissioner's Message to Providers:

Recommendations – Inspection & Clean Up Procedures for Water Damaged Buildings  - The information presented herein is for general reference purposes only. Federal, state or local laws may impose additional requirements based upon specific circumstances. Before any work is commenced, it is important that workers are appropriately trained and equipped with the tools, personal protective equipment and information necessary to perform their designated tasks.
November 9, 2012 AM OASAS issues important guidance for courtesy medicating of OTP patients affected by Hurricane Sandy.

OASAS is issuing guidance for OTP programs which are providing temporary services to OTP patients who have been displaced from their regular OTP programs as a result of Hurricane Sandy.  OTP providers are authorized to treat temporary transfer patients and to submit Medicaid claims for services delivered to eligible patients.  Please direct any questions to either the Belinda Greenfield or Gregory James in the OASAS Bureau of Addiction Medicine & Self Sufficiency at 646-728-4581 or to OASAS General Counsel Rob Kent at 518-485-2312.
November 5, 2012 AM Commissioner's Message to Providers:

During these difficult times, your continued support is a true inspiration and blessing.  If you have any needs that have not been reported to OASAS Field Office staff, please contact us as soon as possible at 646-728-4511 for assistance.

OASAS will continue to post disaster information that may be helpful to you on this page so please check back regularly.
November 4, 2012 PM We have been notified by the Governor's Office of Employee Relations that all State offices, facilities, and operations in New York City and on Long Island should re-open Monday, November 5, 2012, where possible. The only OASAS office unable to reopen is our South Beach ATC. However, all South Beach staff have been contacted by Human Resources (HR) with redeployment instructions to other OASAS facilities to work.

If you have not spoken with HR, please contact them immediately for redeployment instructions. All other OASAS staff should report to their respective work sites on Monday, November 5th.

Please contact the Bureau of Human Resource Management at (518) 457-2963 for guidance and questions regarding this notice.
November 2, 2012 - 4:00 PM Local Gyms Opens Doors to Hurricane Affected Individuals  

Two local gyms have opened their doors to non members impacted by the Hurricane to use their facilities to takes showers, recharge phones, and obtain bottled water.  Both Halevy Life on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and New York Sports Clubs in the tri state area are providing these resources free of charge.

  • Halevy Life: 802 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10065 (between 61st & 62nd Sts); 
    Please call (if possible) to ensure availability: (212) 233-0633 
  • New York Sports Clubs: located throughout the tri-state area. Note: NYSC asks that non-members bring a towel.  Also, some location may be closed due to the Hurricane.  Please call (if possible) to ensure availability.
November 2, 2012 - 2:30 PM Con Edison will distribute dry ice at seven locations starting at noon on 11/2/12 to customers who are without power due to Hurricane Sandy. Dry ice will be distributed until 6 p.m. or until supplies run out. The company will also have personnel at the locations (except the IBM Complex in Westchester County) to answer customers’ questions.
November 1, 2012 PM As a result of Hurricane Sandy, State offices, facilities, and operations in New York City and on Long Island will be closed, except for essential services, tomorrow, Friday, November 2, 2012. Non-essential State employees in those locations are directed not to report to work, without charge to leave accruals. Agencies may deem employees as 'essential' if they are needed for redeployment elsewhere.

The Offices at 501 7th Ave will be open, however NON-ESSENTIAL staff should not report to work and will not have to charge leave accruals. Essential staff assigned to the New York City Office should report to work. They include Commissioner Sánchez, Special Assistant/Director of NYC Operations, Program Manager of Downstate Field Offices, all Field Office Regional Coordinators, Director of OTP Services,  Deputy Director of OTP Services, Facility Planner 2, Program Review Manager, Patient Advocacy Manager, and Office Service Manager.  Note: All Field Office Program Managers should conduct their provider assessments as directed by management.

For the ATCs, non-essential staff include the following titles:   Resources and Reimbursement Agent 1, Resources and Reimbursement Agent 3, Keyboard Specialists, Secretary 1 and 2, Administrative Assistant as well as Business Office staff.

The State is monitoring conditions statewide and will continue to assess the need to modify this directive, if needed.

Please contact the Bureau of Human Resource Management at (518) 457-2963 for guidance and questions regarding this notice.
November 1, 2012 PM The Staten Island Broadway YMCA location is providing showers to local residents in the community that are currently without power due to Hurricane Sandy. However, to help ensure safety and help manage the need, local residents are being asked to call ahead (if possible) before going; and to have proper ID to gain access. Note:This service is available to local Staten Island residents only.

 

Address: 651 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310
Phone: (718) 981-4933
Hours: Until 9 p.m. - (Please call to verify hours of operation)
October 31, 2012 PM As a result of Hurricane Sandy, State offices, facilities, and operations in New York City and on Long Island will be closed, except for essential services, tomorrow, Thursday, November 1, 2012. Non-essential State employees in those locations are directed not to report to work, without charge to leave accruals. Agencies may deem employees as 'essential' if they are needed for redeployment elsewhere.

The Offices at 501 7th Ave will be closed and non-essential staff should not report to that location. Essential staff assigned to the New York City Office include Commissioner Sánchez, Special Assistant/Director of NYC Operations, Program Manager of Downstate Field Office, all Field Office Program Managers, Director of OTP Services,  Deputy Director of OTP Services, Facility Planner 2, Program Review Manager, Patient Advocacy Manager, and Office Service Manager.  

For the ATCs, non-essential staff include the following titles:   Resources and Reimbursement Agent 1, Resources and Reimbursement Agent 3, Keyboard Specialists, Secretary 1 and 2, Administrative Assistant as well as Business Office staff.

The State is monitoring conditions statewide and will continue to assess the need to modify this directive, if needed.

Please contact the Bureau of Human Resource Management at (518) 457-2963 for guidance and questions regarding this notice.
October 30, 2012 PM As a result of Hurricane Sandy, State offices, facilities, and operations in New York City and on Long Island will be closed, except for essential services, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Non-essential State employees in those locations are directed not to report to work, without charge to leave accruals. Agencies may deem employees as 'essential' if they are needed for redeployment elsewhere.

The Offices at 501 7th Ave. are open however NON-ESSENTIAL staff should not report to work and will not have to charge leave accruals . Essential staff assigned to the New York City Office have been contacted and should report to the work location. The essential staff who should report to work at 501 7th Ave., if possible, are to include: Commissioner Sánchez, Special Assistant/Director of NYC Operations Ramon Rodriguez, Program Manager of Downstate Field Office Steve Rabinowitz, all APS 4 Field Office Regional Coordinators, APS 4 Director of OTP Services Belinda Greenfield, APS 2 Deputy Director of OTP Services Greg James,  Facility Planner 2 Michael Johnson, and Office Service Manager, Bob Bennett.  

For the ATCs, non-essential staff include the following titles:   Resources and Reimbursement Agent 1, Resources and Reimbursement Agent 3, Keyboard Specialists, Secretary 1 and 2, Administrative Assistant as well as Business Office staff.

The State is monitoring conditions statewide and will continue to assess the need to modify this directive, if needed.

Please contact the Bureau of Human Resource Management at (518)457-2963 for guidance and questions regarding this notice.
October 30, 2012 AM For families of individuals receiving treatment at South Beach Addiction Treatment Center:

Over the past few days, the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has undertaken a series of actions to ensure the health and safety of individuals from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

On Sunday, October 28, 2012, at approximately 5 p.m. OASAS in conjunction with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the New York City Office of Emergency Management evacuated 30 residents and associated staff from the South Beach Addiction Treatment Center, located at 777 Seaview Avenue, Building 3 in Staten Island, NY to the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center located at 681 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203. 

The residents arrived safely at the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center.  Presently, they have sufficient food, clothing, medication, and other supplies. There is no clear timeline for when the residents can return to the ATC.  In the meantime, please rest assured that your family members and friends are safe, and all their daily needs are being met.

If you need to reach a facility member, please call facility staff at 646-702-0065. We will provide further information as time progresses. 
October 29, 2012 PM As a result of Hurricane Sandy, State offices, facilities, and operations in New York City and on Long Island will be closed, except for essential services, tomorrow, Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Non-essential State employees in those locations are directed not to report to work, without charge to leave accruals. Agencies may deem employees as 'essential' if they are needed for redeployment elsewhere.  

The Offices at 501 7th Ave will be closed and staff should not report to that location. Essential staff assigned to the New York City Office (including essential field office personnel) are asked to be available, if possible, by cell phone and blackberry during the day.

For the ATCs, non-essential staff include the following titles:   Resources and Reimbursement Agent 1, Resources and Reimbursement Agent 3, Keyboard Specialists, Secretary 1 and 2, Administrative Assistant as well as Business Office staff.

The State is monitoring conditions statewide and will continue to assess the need to modify this directive, if needed.
October 28, 2012 PM As a result of Hurricane Sandy, some State offices and facilities will need to close, due to the immediate effects of the storm, as well as the orders of local, state, and Federal authorities. Accordingly, the Governor has directed the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER), in consultation with the Executive Chamber, to close such office and facilities as appropriate, and where such offices and facilities are closed, all non-essential employees who cannot otherwise be efficiently reassigned, relocated, or redeployed should remain absent on leave with pay without charge to leave accruals, for the duration of such closures.

In keeping with the above, State offices and facilities located in Zone A in New York City that are under a mandatory evacuation order should be evacuated and closed consistent with the orders of City authorities. South Beach ATC, which is located in Zone A, has already been evacuated to Kingsboro Psych Center (Building 20) and therefore staff is expected to report to work at that location. Until further notice, all other State offices and facilities will otherwise remain open, and ATC personnel and any direct care staff, as well as Central Office Staff, will need to report to work.