OPWDD Code of Conduct
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is responsible for coordinating services for more than 128,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurological impairments. It provides services directly and through a network of approximately 750 nonprofit service providing agencies, with about 80 percent of services provided by the private nonprofits and 20 percent provided by state-run services.
Museum Access Consortium (MAC)
Museum Access Consortium consists of representatives from various museums throughout the New York Metropolitan area and members and representatives of the disability community. Members of MAC exchange information, ideas and resources and create a network of mutual support. MAC has developed a replicable training series for the staff of cultural institutions to improve access for people with disabilities.
Lavelle Fund for the Blind
The Lavelle Fund supports programs that help people who are blind and visually impaired lead independent, productive lives, together with eye care programs working to prevent and treat vision loss. Programs in the Catholic tradition of serving the disadvantaged are of special interest.
Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council
The Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council is a group of family members, individuals with disabilities, and professionals who are concerned about and advocate for people with developmental disabilities living in Brooklyn. The Council and its committees meet monthly to identify unmet needs, secure funding and review proposals for services to Brooklyn residents with developmental disabilities. The mission of the Council is to advise, inform, problem solve, pioneer, and provide a forum for discussion.
Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council
The Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council (SIDDC) assists in the planning, promotion and development of services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members. An association of self-advocates, family members, service providers, professionals and other interested individuals. The SIDDC works together in an effort to ensure the quality of life for Staten Islanders with special needs by sharing relevant information and advocacy.
Calendar of Events | Standing Committees
Includenyc
INCLUDEnyc helps create bright futures for the city’s at-risk children and youth by empowering their parents. INCLUDEnyc parent advocates provide personal, knowledgeable, and compassionate direct assistance to thousands of families each year, through workshops, events, and outreach. INCLUDEnyc trainings and materials are available in Spanish and English, with growing availability in Chinese. We empower parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for their children. And we advise and collaborate with educators, mental health professionals, and all levels of government to bring a family perspective to the systems that are designed to help children.
Parent to Parent of New York State
Parent to Parent of New York State builds a supportive network of families to reduce isolation and empower those who care for people with developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs to navigate and influence service systems and make informed decisions. New York City Office of Parent to Parent of NYS is a place where families of individuals with special needs, and the professionals who support them, can meet and share information. It is a place for us to find each other, a place for us to be made strong.
UCP of NYC Family Connect
UCP of NYC Family Connect Centers offer free workshops for professionals and family members/caregivers of people with disabilities. We also offer referral and support. These workshops are a great space for family members to do networking and meet other parents. Our services are open to the entire community and translation to Spanish is always available.
Block Institute
Block Institute of Brooklyn, New York is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. Block Institute has extensive experience providing individualized services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Clinical Services | Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC)
Community Assistance Resources and Extended Services, Inc (C.A.R.E.S.)
The mission of Community Assistance Resources and Extended Services is to assist individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families to obtain, identify, and maintain resources by:
– Developing and implementing new programs and initiatives to improve the lives and independence of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their families.
– Training community members to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to assist individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities.
– Helping families within undeserved multilingual communities obtain access to information, resources and services.
– Conducting ongoing research and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to enhance program results.
Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS)
The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. The goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board supports self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages them to speak for themselves individually and collectively.
New York State Institute On Disability
In Staten Island, if you are trying to get your evaluations done and do not have Medicaid, you can get them for free at the NY State Institute on Disability. Their phone number is 718-494-6457.
Brooklyn Family Support Service Advisory Council
Each DDRO has a Family Support Services Advisory Council to represent the interests of family members and people with developmental disabilities. The councils work in partnership with the DDROs to make decisions supporting families and loved ones! Brooklyn Family Support Service Advisory Council meets on every third Tuesday of the month with the exception of August and September.
Cerebral Palsy Resources
Cerebral Palsy Guide is a national support organization dedicated to educating individuals and families about cerebral palsy. While raising awareness about this movement disorder, our team is also committed to providing informational support for children with CP and their parents and caregivers.
Cerebral Palsy Guidance was created to provide answers and assistance to parents of children with cerebral palsy. The goal is to reach as many members of the cerebral palsy community as possible, building up a network of support, as well as providing necessary assistance.
City Access New York Covid-19 Resources
Safety & Reopening Plans contain all of our current COVID-19 Safety & Reopening plans, guidance and protocols.
City Access @home Resource Page for Families, Staff and Participants is an initiative that allows our staff to be able to continue to provide Day Habilitation services remotely.