ABLE Accounts: 10 Things You Should Know

ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families. The beneficiary of the account is the account owner, and income earned by the accounts will not be taxed. Contributions to the account made by any person (the account beneficiary, family and friends) will be made using post-taxed dollars and will not be tax deductible, although some states may allow for state income tax deductions for contribution made to an ABLE account.

History of Systems of Care, Wraparound & Peer Movements in NYS

This video gives a history of systems of care, wraparound and the peer movement in New York State. It provides descriptions and examples of many acronyms used in the mental health field and talks about where we started, where we are now and where we are headed.

Individual and Family Support - Justice Center

The Individual and Family Support Unit of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs provides assistance to victims of incidents of abuse or neglect occurring in certain state-operated, licensed, or certified service provider agencies.  Assistance is also provided to victims’ families, personal representatives, and guardians. This assistance includes:

• guidance and information about the reporting and investigative process
• support during criminal cases and proceedings
• victim interview accompaniment
• case status updates

All services are offered free.

Medicaid Health Homes

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:

• Connecting to health care providers,
• Connecting to mental health and substance abuse providers,
• Connecting to needed medications,
• Help with housing,
• Social services (such as food, benefits, and transportation) or,
• Other community programs that can support and assist you.

NYS System of Care Framework

The Systems of Care (SOC) Framework is a coordinated network of services and supports that are organized to meet the physical, mental, social, emotional, education, and developmental needs of children and their families.

Building Systems of Care, by its own designation as “systems” and not “system,” requires cross-system partnerships with the common goal of developing a broad array and continuum of services and supports that are infused with the values of:

• Family Driven & Youth Guided
• Community-Based
• Cultural & Linguistic Competence

Systems of Care refer to the collaborative, coordinated infrastructure within a community to meet the needs of children and families so they can achieve their own definition of success and equitable outcomes.

Systems of Care are implemented at both the systems level (policy, financing, management) and the service/support delivery level.

Reba McEntire PSA on Accessing OPWDD Services

Reba McEntire delivers a PSA encouraging people to access services from the NYS Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to support individuals with developmental disabilities to live the richest life possible.

Why go to College?

This video provides motivational advice from individuals that were the first in their families to attend college and/or had little support to get there.