Maiffn Area

Medicaid with Medicare: Coordinating Benefits for HIV+ Dual Eligibles

Posted on April 12th, 2022

This presentation, recorded on 4/12/2022, will provide a basic explanation of how these two programs fit together for individuals living with HIV that are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles), with special emphases on the Medicare Part D drug benefit and how to best coordinate that coverage with other public health programs in New York State, like ADAP, EPIC and Medicaid. We will also discuss the problems clients are likely to encounter in applying for the Part D’s low-income subsidy and identify advocacy strategies to maximize help with prescription drug costs.

By the end of this webinar, participants will:

• Get a sound overview and become familiar with the differences between the AIDs Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Medicare and Medicaid
• Understand the eligibility requirements, services covered, costs and how to apply for these programs
• Know how Medicare, Medicaid and ADAP can work together
• Learn about other programs that help with Medicare cost sharing
• Identify advocacy strategies to help your client maximize help with prescription drug costs

This webinar is specifically designed for health or social services providers and legal advocates who work with or advocate for people with HIV / AIDs.

Presented by: Fiona Wolfe, Esq., Health Law Sr. Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center, Alexia Mickles, Esq., Health Law Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center

Training Materials: PowerPoint

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Considering Reconsideration: Strategies for Representing Clients at Recon

Posted on March 31st, 2022

A panel of experts will share their tips and secrets for successfully representing disability claimants at SSA’s reconsideration level.  This presentation was previously recorded on March 31, 2022.  All information presented was accurate at the time of this presentation.

Panelists: Angela Hale, Empire Justice Center, Blanca Quintanilla, NYLAG, Haley Wen, Legal Aid Society (Bronx office)

Moderators: Kate Callery, Empire Justice Center, Emilia Sicilia, Empire Justice Center

Materials: PowerPoint

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Providing Foreclosure Prevention Services to Homeowners with Disabilities

Posted on March 30th, 2022

Empire Justice Center is excited to announce our Building Equity Initiative, a new component of our Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP).  Advocates will learn to recognize barriers that have historically prevented New Yorkers from many communities and with specific identities and intersectionalities from attaining and maintaining homeownership and provide tools to ensure foreclosure prevention services are inclusive and equitable.

Join Empire Justice Center, Disability EmpowHer Network and Movin’ Out, Inc. for a virtual webinar on how to effectively provide services to and advocate for clients with disabilities. Presenters will share information about historical and current obstacles to equitable housing for disabled people, and some tools for advocates to provide welcoming, culturally competent services for clients with disabilities.

This training was recorded on 3/30/2022. All information presented was current at the time of recording.

Materials:  EmpowHer Network PPT, Movin’ Out PPT

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A Discussion of the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission Report on Forensic Custody Evaluations

Posted on March 11th, 2022

In December 2021, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations concluded its work and issued a report to the Governor outlining their findings, ongoing questions for consideration, and recommendations.  The Commission’s charge was to develop recommendations to the Governor regarding if and/or how forensic custody evaluations should be used in the New York State court system. Commission members include former judges, academics, attorneys practicing family and matrimonial law, children’s rights experts, domestic violence advocates, psychologists, and parents.  The recommendations in this report, if adopted, have the potential to significantly alter the legal landscape for custody litigation throughout the state.

In this webinar, we will be joined by Commission members Jennifer Friedman, Esq. from NYC’s Sanctuary for Families and Lorraine Silverman, Esq. from Copps DiPaola Silverman PLLC in Albany.  Jennifer and Lorraine will discuss the contents of the report including the process used by the Commission, the 11 formal recommendations offered to the community, as well the ongoing questions for consideration. Amy Schwartz-Wallace, Esq. of Empire Justice Center will moderate this program.  This presentation was recorded on 3/10/2022. All information presented was current at the time of recording.

Materials: Commission Report

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Reverse Mortgage Foreclosures – Stay in the Know

Posted on March 10th, 2022

Reverse mortgage foreclosures have become as commonplace as forward ones and foreclosure defense practitioners and housing counselor advocates should be well equipped on how to assist elderly homeowners who are at risk of losing their home to foreclosure.  This presentation will provide attendees with a basic overview of reverse mortgages including reverse mortgage eligibility at origination, what homeowners need to know to avoid a reverse mortgage default and ways to prevent a foreclosure should a default occur.  Advocates will also learn what defenses to foreclosure may be available and how to resolve a reverse mortgage foreclosure action. The webinar will also discuss relief options available for homeowner’s affected by Covid-19.  This training was recorded on 3/9/2022. All information presented was current at the time of recording.

Materials:  PowerPoint

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Prescription Drugs in Medicaid: Navigating Managed Care Requirements

Posted on February 10th, 2022

This webinar, recorded on 2/10/2022, will increase health and human services providers’ awareness of the issues clients face accessing HIV related medications in the Medicaid program. Participants will develop the skills necessary to compare drug formularies across managed care plans, satisfy prior authorization requirements and address denials by managed care plans. By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the Medicaid pharmacy benefit;
• Navigate the State Health Department’s new website for the managed care pharmacy benefit;
• Compare plan formularies;
• Describe consumer protections in “prescriber prevails” procedures; and
• Discuss the steps involved in helping clients appeal denials of medically necessary prescription drugs.

 

Target Audience: Health and human services providers who work with patients/ clients living with HIV

Presented by: Fiona Wolfe, Sr. Health Law Attorney, Empire Justice Center; Alexia Mickles, Esq., Health Law Attorney, Empire Justice Center; Karin Timour, NYS Dept. of Health.

Webinar Materials: 2/10/2022 Webinar PowerPoint

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Providing Foreclosure Prevention Services to LGBTQ+ Homeowners

Posted on February 10th, 2022

Empire Justice Center is excited to announce our Building Equity Initiative, a new component of our Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP).  Advocates will learn to recognize barriers that have historically prevented New Yorkers from many communities and with specific identities and intersectionalities from attaining and maintaining homeownership and provide tools to ensure foreclosure prevention services are inclusive and equitable.

Join Empire Justice Center, The Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research and The National Center for Lesbian Rights for a virtual webinar on how to effectively serve and advocate for LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning) clients. Presenters will share information about historical and current obstacles to equitable housing for LGBTQ+ people, and some tools for advocates to provide welcoming, culturally competent services for LGBTQ+ clients.

Materials:  PowerPoint

This training was prerecorded on 2/10/2022. All information presented was current as of the date of recording.

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Understanding the Child Tax Credit for Housing Advocates & CASH Program Services

Posted on December 15th, 2021

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021 expanded the Child Tax Credit to substantially reduce child poverty by supplementing the earnings of families receiving the tax credit. This presentation discusses the Child Tax Credit Basics and Outreach done to assist low-income families who are eligible for this credit. This presentation was recorded 12/15/21.  All information contained was considered current at the time of recording.

Click here for a copy of the presentation PowerPoint.

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LGBTQ Domestic Violence Annual Statewide Meeting – Day 2

Posted on December 3rd, 2021

Technology-Facilitated Abuse & LGBTQ+ Communities

LGBTQ+ Community members regularly seek connections with intimate partners online. Whether through dating or hook up apps, texting or through social media, technology is used to facilitate communication and intimacy. Simultaneously, as awareness of “sextortion”, non-consensual pornography, cyber-bullying has grown, technology is also recognized as a form of abuse. The targets of these harms are vast and reflect victims of every intersection around gender, age, race, economic status, sexual orientation and more. However, rare is the understanding that LGBTQ communities, particularly LGBTQ youth, are disproportionately the victims of these types of crimes. This session will provide information about how this form of violence and abuse impacts LGBTQ communities, as well as legal and non-legal interventions.  Presented by: Andrew Sta. Ana, Esq., Day One

Click here to download materials for this presentation.

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LGBTQ Domestic Violence Annual Statewide Meeting – Day 1

Posted on December 2nd, 2021

This meeting was recorded 12/2/21 and has two parts:

Cultural Proficiency and Legal Tools for Serving Polyamorous Clients

When clients choose to create relationships and families outside of traditional models, they often find themselves under-resourced, unable to access culturally competent services, and without the more than 1,000 rights and benefits that come with legally-recognized relationship structures. This workshop will focus on the nuts-and-bolts of how to serve and support polyamorous clients, including topics such as welcoming practices, relationship rights and dissolution, parentage, property issues, and domestic violence. Presented by: Andy Izenson, Esq., Sr. Legal Director of the Chosen Family Law Center

Conflict of Laws, Full Faith and Credit, and LGBTQ Folks

Hey—I do family law or LGBTQ rights, why do I need to know about conflicts of law? It’s because we live in a mobile society with an ever-evolving legal landscape, especially around LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. While states like New York are expanding recognition and respect, others are narrowing and contracting. Further, victims of intimate partner violence, coercive control, or intra-familial violence may flee to or from New York and will need information and support as they navigate new systems. Join us to learn more about interstate issues as they apply to orders of protection, name change orders, birth certificates and other identity documents, parentage orders, and more.  Presented by: Lettie Dickerson, Esq. and Amy Schwartz-Wallace, Esq., Empire Justice Center

Click here to download the materials for both presentations

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