The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC)

Overview

The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (the MISCC), which was established by Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2002, is responsible for ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages with physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, and mental health disabilities receive care and services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their individual needs.

What Does the MISCC Do?

The MISCC plays a crucial role in our community by focusing on:

• Supports statewide planning efforts related to helping individuals with disabilities live in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
• Brings together state agencies and public members to share information and coordinate on long term services and supports issues affecting New Yorkers of all ages with disabilities.
• Reviews available data and identifies areas where improved data collection or analysis could help inform community-based service planning.
• Gathers input on the types of community-based services available across the state and where additional system improvements may be needed.
• Examines how existing programs and supports help individuals remain in or return to community settings rather than institutional care.
• Considers the experiences of different disability populations to help highlight barriers to integrated living and opportunities for improved coordination.
• Provides a forum for discussing challenges related to access, navigation, and quality of community-based services.
• Identifies opportunities for education, outreach, and information sharing that may help individuals with disabilities make informed choices about available supports.
• Shares findings and recommendations with state leadership to support ongoing planning and improvement of long term services and supports.

The MISCC is a cross-systems partnership consisting of representatives from multiple state agencies and nine appointed public representatives. Together, these agencies, in partnership and collaboration with public advocates and community-based partners, are working hard to ensure that all New Yorkers with disabilities can live lives of inclusion where people live, work, travel, and engage in their community. Each member of the MISCC has a unique role and responsibility in this mission.

Agency Members

Office of the Chief Disability Officer (CDO) – MISCC Chair

• Kim Hill, Chief Disability Officer
• Contact: [email protected]

Department of Health (DOH)

• Michael Chittenden, Director, Center for Home and Community-Based Services

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

• Rachel Baker, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner

Office of Mental Health (OMH)

• Patricia Bowes, Director of Intergovernmental Relations

Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Ross Farrell, Director of Public Transit Bureau

Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), inclusive of the Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)

• Julie Hovey, Associate Commissioner for the Blind

Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

• Brigette Hartman-Decenzo, Director of the Bureau of Treatment Services

Education Department (NYSED), inclusive of the Adult Career & Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)

• Ceylane Meyers-Ruff, Deputy Commissioner

Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR)

• Brett Hebner, Vice President of Multifamily Finance

Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)

• John Cochran, Chief of Staff

Department of Labor (DOL)

• Alan Gallagher, Workforce Programs Manager, Office of Career Development and Inclusion

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

• Rick Umholtz, Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Refugee Services

The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (the Justice Center)

• Charles Pensabene, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)

• Kristin Proud, Executive Director

Department of Civil Service

• Nicole Keith, Director, Diversity & Inclusion Management

Public Appointees

Governor’s Appointees

• Denise Figueroa: Albany County, Consumer of Services
• Margo Downey: Erie County, Community Services Expertise
• Becky Preve: Franklin County, Seniors with Disabilities Expertise

Senate’s Appointees

• Athena Dent-Alleyne: Westchester County, Consumer of Services
• Douglas Hovey: Orange County, Community Services Expertise
• Bruce Darling: Monroe County, Seniors with Disabilities Expertise

Assembly’s Appointees

• Christopher Rosa: Consumer of Services
• Harvey Rosenthal: Washington County, Community Services Expertise
• Bradford Watts: Seniors with Disabilities Expertise

The 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision by the United State Supreme Court addressed the rights of two women who had been confined in a Georgia state psychiatric hospital for five and seven years beyond the time at which they had been determined ready for community discharge. The Supreme Court held that the failure to provide community placement for these people constituted discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court also held that states are required to provide community-based services to people with disabilities when: (a) such services are appropriate; (b) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and (c) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the state and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the state.

The Olmstead case itself concerned people in a psychiatric hospital. Subsequent cases have addressed developmental centers, board and care homes, and people at-risk of institutional care. Most recently, the Olmstead Mandate has extended to segregated employment services for people with disabilities. Given the breadth and continuing evolution of the Olmstead Mandate, New York State convened the Olmstead Cabinet to develop a detailed state plan. The council released the Olmstead Implementation Plan in 2013, which addressed four primary domains: housing, employment, transportation, and community engagement.

In 2024, Governor Hochul announced that New York would initiate the writing of an updated Olmstead Plan. The Chief Disability Office and the MISCC are monitoring the progress of this work. The Olmstead Director is meeting with advocates, state agency staff, and community stakeholders to develop a plan that best serves the community. At each quarterly MISCC meeting, the Olmstead Director will report progress milestones to the MISCC members. The Olmstead Plan webpage will host updates for the public to participate in community engagement events and online surveys. Sign up for an email listserv by clicking the button below or emailing [email protected] for more updates about the development of New York State's Olmstead Plan. By signing up for this mailing list, you agree to be included on the Chief Disability Office's mailing list as well.

Sign Up for the Olmstead Newsletter

You’re Invited: Share Your Voice in New York’s Olmstead Listening Sessions

New York State is working on a new Olmstead Plan — a plan that helps make sure people with disabilities can live in the community they choose, with the support they need. To help shape this work, we’re hosting nine virtual listening sessions, and we want to hear from you.

View full list of Listening Sessions

Register to speak

Can’t make it? You’re welcome to share written feedback to [email protected].

The Harnessing Olmstead Progress for Everyone (HOPE) Action Plan describes progress already made toward the finalization of the state’s Olmstead Plan through exemplary collaboration and enthusiasm from our partner agencies.

Read about Progress Made Towards the Olmstead Plan for New York State