The Kahrmann Advocacy Coalition this week filed formal complaints with the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for People with Disabilities after receiving reports that agencies overseeing the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver in Long Island and New York City are taking a dangerously long time approving treatment plans for waiver participants. Moreover, it appears these agencies are often non-responsive to calls from waiver participants and are not providing the services they are required to provide while participants are waiting for services.

If these reports are accurate and it certainly appears they are, the behavior of these RRDCs are putting the lives New Yorkers with brain injuries at risk. Both the DOH and the CQC have indicated they will investigate these complaints.

It is important to note that this is not the first time KAC has warned DOH as well as the Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council that the lives of waiver participants are being placed at risk.

The RRDC for Long Island is  Self Initiated Living Options, Inc. Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) locate at 3680 Route 112, Suite 4 in Coram, NY 11727. Their phone number is (631) 880-7929. The RRDC for New York City is Visiting Nurse Association Health Care Services d.b.a. VNA of Staten Island located at 400 Lake Avenue in Staten Island, NY 10303. Their phone number is (718) 816-3555.

Messages have been left with both organizations voicing concerns over these troubling reports.