Arc Fact Sheets

The Arc has compiled a series of brief, two-page fact sheets for family members, advocates, professionals, media, researchers, policymakers and others that provide an overview of a specific topic related to intellectual disability. A wide variety of topics are covered, from the causes of intellectual disability to various types of syndromes to criminal justice/victimization issues.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a program designed to address the significant needs of children ages 10 up to 21, who are at risk of entering, or returning home from high intensity services, such as inpatient settings or residential services, through the use of a multi-disciplinary team. Children with significant psychiatric needs, who are at risk of institutional level of care, require intensive interventions in order to adequately support the child and family’s complex needs, to avoid high end services or facilitate and support a successful transition back to community. Youth ACT serves as a critical component in the children’s continuum of care.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides a plethora of credible information on all aspects of protecting and improving quality health and wellness initiatives.

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute contains a wide variety of useful information resources for families and educators. The site explores concerns and challenges faced by parents, family members and educators. Learn how to effectively respond to emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. This website also contains many personal story videos.

Th Child Mind Institute is available online or in person (in New York City), offering evaluations, treatment and neuropsychological testing for children, teens and young adults.

Disability Provider Directory

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.

Disciplining Students With Disabilities

There is nothing in IDEA that restricts schools from disciplining children with disabilities. This article is designed to provide a set of practical concepts to improve the chances that positive behaviors will increase and negative behaviors will decrease among children with disabilities who warrant special education and related services under IDEA.

Dual Diagnosis - A Guide for Caregivers

This guidebook gives caregivers the tools they need to understand how mental illness might look in a person with a developmental disability, and information on what to do and where to go for help. It was written in order to help caregivers to partner with health care providers. This guidebook was originally written in 2011 and was revised in 2015. It was created for the New York State Institute for Health Transition Training with grant support from the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.

Evaluation Basics

This web page provides comprehensive information about the evaluation process. Some of the topics include:

• Understanding the Full Evaluation Process
• 6 Steps for Requesting a School Evaluation
• The Evaluation Process: What to Expect
• FAQs about Evaluations for Learning and Attention Issues
• At a Glance: Who's on the Evaluation Team at Your Child's School
• 7 Steps to take Before Requesting a Formal Evaluation
• Is a Functional Assessment the Same thing as a Formal Evaluation? and more...

Family Support Regional Directories of Mental Health Services

The Families Together of NYS (FTNYS) Parent Advisors have created directories of the services available in each region of New York State. These directories provide comprehensive information on mental health services for children and families for each region of New York State.

Use our mapping tool to find your regional FTNYS Parent Advisor. Regional Parent Advisors build relationships with all of the family support services within their region. They serve as liaisons, facilitating communication between the NYS Office of Mental Health and families in the community.

Find a Behavioral Health Provider

Use this mental health online provider directory to find a behavioral health provider in New York State.