Family Support Services assist families who are caring for a relative with a developmental disability by providing referral and information to families searching for options, support and assistance in their advocacy efforts. Family Support Providers can offer the following services; capacity to work with and on behalf of families to file for Medicaid, enhance the decision making capacity of the individual and their family by providing information about available resources and opportunities. Family Support Services helps families and individuals with applying for eligibility for OPWDD, HCBS waiver and enrollment for Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC).
Here is a list of Agencies in our area that provide Family Support Services (this list may not be all inclusive; see disclaimer)
Abilities First Inc. contact is Donavan Ashe, at (845) 485-9803
Anderson Center for Autism contact is Lisa Susczynski at (845) 889-9616
Arc of Dutchess contact Kaylah McKenzie at 845-635-8084 x 21148 or KMcKenzie@arcdutchess.org.
Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley – contact is Jason Gehlert at (845) 226-1630
Greystone Programs Inc. – contact is Caren O’Brien-Edwards at (845) 452-5772 ext 106
Maranatha Human Services – contact is Mathias Oni-Eselech (845) 452-1424 ext 18
NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities – local District Office (845) 471-9226 ext 155
Taconic Resources for Independence – Educational Advocacy – contact is Karen Lynch at (845) 452-3913 ext 112