The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC)
In its 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that States, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have an obligation to provide services to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has made serving individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting a top priority. New York State has developed a comprehensive Olmstead Implementation Plan that addresses four (4) primary domains: housing, employment, transportation, and community engagement. New York's Olmstead Implementation Plan affirms the State’s position as a national leader related to the rights of individuals with disabilities. The oversight body for New York’s work in this arena is the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council.
Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council
The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) was established by Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2002. The MISCC is responsible for ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages with physical, intellectual, developmental, and mental disabilities receive care and services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their individual needs.
The leadership of the MISCC transitioned from the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) in 2017 to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). The Council is a cross-systems partnership consisting of representatives from multiple state agencies and nine appointed public representatives. In addition to OMH and OPWDD, the other NYS Agency Council Members include the Department of Health, the Office for the Aging, the Education Department inclusive of the Adult Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Children and Family Services inclusive of the Commission for the Blind, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
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 are afforded the opportunity to live lives of inclusion where people live, work, travel, and engage in their community.
Contact MISCC [email protected] with feedback, questions or concerns
Upcoming MISCC Meetings:
March 23, 2020 - POSTPONED
Due to the ongoing COVID19 emergency, to protect public health, we are postponing the March 23rd Quarterly MISCC meeting until further notice. We will be rescheduling the meeting. Thank you for your understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Past MISCC Meetings:
September 5, 2018 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - CANCELED
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
December 6, 2018 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
June 13, 2018 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
LIVE WEBCAST: A live webcast of the meeting will be available at the above link beginning at 1 p.m. ET on June 13, 2018.
Meeting Agenda
April 16, 2018 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
Meeting Agenda
November 15, 2017 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
Meeting Agenda
Video of meeting
September 7, 2017 - *CANCELED*
1 PM - 3 PM
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
May 11, 2017, 1 PM - 3 PM
Empire State Plaza, Meeting Rooms 2-4
- Meeting Agenda
- Presentation: Study to Design a Mobility Management Program in New York State
- Presentation: Employment First Updates: State Employment and Business Outreach Toolkit
- Video of Meeting
February 9, 2017 - *CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER*
Empire State Plaza
- Meeting agenda: *Due to the snow on February 9, the meeting of the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) was canceled. The meeting was to include a presentation regarding the Mobility Management Study conducted by the Public Consulting Group, which was issued to the legislature and Governor’s Office on February 8. While we hope to reschedule the PCG presentation, we invite comment on the study which is posted below. Please reply to [email protected].
- Study to Design a Mobility Management Program – Final Recommendation Report
- Study to Design a Mobility Management Program – Gap Analysis
Study to Design a Mobility Management Program - Best Practices Research
November 2, 2016 Empire State Plaza
- Meeting Agenda
- Presentation: Employment First Commission Updates
- Presentation: The Advances Homes Health Aide Initiative
- Presentation: Update on Olmstead Report (Nursing Homes)
- Video of the Meeting
May 13, 2016 - Empire State Plaza, Albany NY
- Meeting Agenda
- Presentation: Study to Design a Mobility Management Program in New York State
- Video of Meeting
March 16, 2016 - Empire State Plaza, Albany NY
October 14, 2015 - Empire State Plaza, Albany NY
- Meeting Agenda
- Presentation: Adult Home Transition Initiative
- Presentation: Office of Community Living Feasibility Study
- Presentation: Employment First Policy for New York State
The 2010-12 MISCC Plan identifies baseline data and creates measureable agency specific housing, employment, transportation and long term care goals that will assist New Yorkers with disabilities to avoid institutionalization and live in the most integrated settings.
Additional Documents
Executive Order 84: Establishing the Olmstead Plan Development and Implementation Cabinent
Past Meetings and Reports
October 2013
April 2013
December 2012
- Agenda
- Summary of Proceedings – December 3, 2012
- Executive Order 84: Olmstead Cabinet
- Presentation - December 03, 2012
April 2012
March 2012
August 2011
April 2011
- Summary of Proceedings - April 27, 2011
- Agenda
- Presentation - April 27, 2011
- New York's Inclusive Workforce Executive Summary
- New York's Inclusive Workforce Presentation
January 2011
November 2010
April 2010
- Summary of Proceedings - April 28, 2010
- Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) 2009 Annual Report
February 2010
- Potential Tax Credits and Other Incentives for Businesses That Hire People with Disabilities
- Hiring a Qualified Worker: It's About ABILITY, not Disability
January 2010
- Summary of Proceedings
- Agenda
- DHCR Report on Proposed Priorities for 2010
- OASAS - Housing Bureau - PSH Update
- NYSOFA Presentation 12/15/09
- TRAID Description
November 2009
October 2009
- Summary of Proceedings
- 2009 MISCC Annual Report Questions
- Housing Task Force Recommendations and Next Steps
- Employment Committee Recommendation to the MISCC
- Transportation Workgroup/Committee Memo
July 2009
- Summary of Proceedings
- 10th Anniversary Olmstead Decision Statement
- Agenda
- Employment Committee
- Recovery Act Items
- Media Advisory
- Medicaid Infrastructure Grant
- Draft Template
- 2009 Annual Report Timeline
April 2009
- Summary of Proceedings - April 6, 2009
- Data Matrix
- MISCC Transportation Working Group-Report to the General Committee
- MISCC Regulations Committee Charter
- Pilot Program Listing
- Status of SAFETEA-LU Coordinated Plans
- Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Housing Subsidy Program
- Find your way home
- DDPC Transportation and Employment
- DDPC Transportation and Employment Grants
January 2009
December 2008
October 2008
- MISCC Agenda
- MISCC Employment Committee
- MISCC Transportation Workgroup
- Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council Draft 2008 Annual Report
To submit comments on the Draft Annual Report, email: [email protected] - Meeting minutes October 8, 2008
July 2008
- Standard Format for State Agency MISCC Plans: Adopted by the MISCC 7/16/07
- Transportation Workgroup Report
- MISCC Transportation Workgroup Activities
- MISCC Employment Committee
- MISCC Housing Task Force
- OASAS-Commitment to Recovery Services: A Key Response to the MISCC Plan
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Stakeholders
- Meeting minutes July 7, 2008
April 2008
- MISCC Employment Workgroup Update
- MISCC TBI Presentation
- MISCC Transportation Workgroup Update
- VESID State Agency Stakeholder Group Update
- CTENY Presentation
- Meeting minutes April 9, 2008
January 2008
- Department of Health Office of Long Term Care Initiatives Presentation
- MISCC Transportation Workgroup Status Report
- OCFS Community Health Program Press Release
- Information about the State Of New York Housing Opportunity Fund
- Meeting minutes January 23, 2008
October 2007
July 2007
November 2006
With the implementation of the Olmstead plan, New York has become a leader in transitioning people out of institutional settings. Their individual stories provide insight into how the Olmstead decision and New York’s Olmstead plan implementation have positively affected their lives:
Kevin R. moved from a developmental center to a community residence in August of 2013. Kevin now works as a custodian while he learns to effectively manage his money. While living in a home, he has the responsibilities that accompany it: keeping the house clean, doing laundry, learning to cook; all being mastered with an eye towards further independence. His mother, who he contacts once a week, says she has also noticed a change with his openness during conversations. Kevin has always been a quiet person who used to spend most of his time in his room. Today, he is more confident, outgoing, and self-directed.
Mark T. resided in Monroe Developmental Center for many years. While there, he had a difficult time staying healthy; he was not motivated to exercise or eat right despite several attempts to address his health and weight issues. After making progress at the center, he moved to a community residence where a new Mark emerged. Today, he prepares a salad every day to for lunch. He follows his own diet, walks, and maintains great health. Mark says living in the community "makes me feel really good, really happy. There is no fence and I'm not closed in. It is wide open and just trees. The people in my group home are like my family and I do things with them like a family, like go shopping, go for walks, and go to movies."
Jeremy D. has made a strong transition from institutional to community living. He budgets his own money, is eager to further his vocational experience, and someday would like a job in the community where he can apply his yard work skills. Jeremy has also been able to pursue his passion for auto mechanics since his community transition and has strengthened his relationship with his father who introduced him to the world of engine-building.