Disabilities include both developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities.
In an Emergency, Call 911
Looking for help in
non-emergency situations?
Call 211 or
Call 311 in New York City
NY Connects
1-800-342-9871
Suicide Crisis Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Toll Free
1-800-799-4889 TTY
Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline
1-800-342-3720, Toll Free
1-800-638-5163, TTD/TTY
1-800-342-3720, NY Relay
Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) Hotline
800-624-4143 Toll Free
This series of videos gives an introduction to the OPWDD eligibility process, and process for obtaining services.
What is needed to apply for OPWDD eligibility? Discusses evaluations required for applying for eligibility and steps required for submitting paperwork to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
Eligibility attained, what now? Once a person has established eligibility, what are the next steps? How do you access services? What services are there?
Person-Centered Planning Toolkit - The Medicaid Reference Desk
This guide is to help you think about your life, your plans, your needs, and your happiness. It will ask you questions to start thinking about different areas, and will help you identify places to go for support and next steps you can take to make your life the way you want
Single Point of Access (SPOA) is part of the NYS Office of Mental Health's (OMH) 2000-2001 initiatives designed to expand the county's existing community based mental health system and help make it a more cohesive and better coordinated system. The goal is to create a system that promotes recovery-oriented services, which are widely available, flexible, personally tailored and responsive to individual needs. Individual's preferences will be integrated into the process. All referrals and transitions between programs and services will be entered into a database, in order to monitor who receives services, who does not, alternative recommendations, and the actual mental health residential and case management needs. There will be periodic reassessment and monitoring of an individual's need for a particular level of care/service.
SPOA Coordinators connect people with serious mental illness to mental health services.
The NYS Office For People With Developmental Disabilities and its associated voluntary agencies offer many services to individuals and their families. This interactive directory lists services by service type and location.
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the nationwide EIP. It is for infants and toddlers under three years of age who may not be making progress like other children because of a developmental delay or disability. A disability means that a child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that may lead to developmental problems. These include, but are not limited to, autism, Down syndrome, motor disorders, or vision and hearing problems. A developmental delay means a child is behind in some area of development, such as growth, learning and thinking, or communicating.
The first step is your child's referral to the EIP in the county where you live. All counties in New York State (NYS) and New York City have an EIP. Children who may need services must first be referred to the EIP. Parents can refer their own child to the EIP if they have a concern about their child's development. In NYS, certain professionals are required to refer children to the EIP if a developmental problem is suspected. After referral, your child will be evaluated by qualified professionals. Your county EIP or the New York City EIP will help you get services if your child is found to be eligible. Health insurance, including private insurance and Medicaid, may be used to pay for early intervention services. EIP services must be provided at no cost to you and will not affect your insurance coverage.
View Early Intervention Programs using our MSNavigator Mapping Tool.
This resource directory is for the families of children and young adults who have a serious illness or long-lasting condition for which they need extra health care and support services. Children and young adults with special health care needs might have a serious or long-lasting:
This website provides information on making schools safe and maintaining a caring school climate; facilitating students' holistic developing; and enhancing student motivation, self-expectations and high achievement.
The tenants of optimal social/emotional health include the following goals:
Social Emotional Development and Learning (SEDL) begins at home and is facilitated through supportive school and classroom environments; school, family and community connections; skills acquired pre-K to 12 through instruction and mentoring; after school, extra-curricular and service learning programs; school and community prevention and intervention services; and professional development for all staff.
A ´Health Home´ is not a physical place; it is a group of health care and service providers working together to make sure you get the care and services you need to stay healthy. Once you are enrolled in a Health Home, you will have a care manager that works with you to develop a care plan. A care plan maps out the services you need, to put you on the road to better health. Some of the services may include:
Health Home Member Brochure (PDF)
In New York State, many people get their health benefits through the Medicaid Program. Most people are generally healthy, however, others may have chronic health problems. Many are unable to find providers and services, which makes it hard for people to get well and stay healthy. New York State´s Health Home program was created with these people in mind. The goal of the Health Home program is to make sure its members get the care and services they need. This may mean fewer trips to the emergency room or less time spent in the hospitals, getting regular care and services from doctors and providers, finding a safe place to live, and finding a way to get to medical appointments.
Learn more about Health Homes serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (Care Coordination Organization/Health Home (CCO/HH).)
