New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

The first step is to connect with a Care Coordination Organization that will help with the eligibility process. This is currently the only way OPWDD will accept eligibility information.

The 3 CCOs that serve Dutchess County are, an overview of the whole state’s CCO locations can be found here Care Coordination Organization Information

TRICOUNTY CARE CCO:  www.tricountycare.org

844-504-8400

829 E. 15^th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230

email intake@tricountycare.org

LIFEPlan CCO:  http://lifeplanccony.com

1-855-LIFEPLN (1-855-543 3756);

258 Genessee St., Suite 601; Utica, NY 13502

CARE DESIGN:  www.caredesignny.org

518-235-1888

8 Southwoods Blvd., Suite 110, Albany, Ny 12211

Locally you may contact Jean Dabenigno-Kelly at jdabenigno-kelly@caredesignny.org or at 845-253-1201 x 6426

OPWDD Front Door is the entry point for services provided by the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Find out more about the Front Door Process here https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started

The local Front Door Office number is 518-388-0398, and Dutchess County falls into “Region 3 of OPWDD”

Front Door information sessions are available on the internet: find a session here: OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions

Here is a checklist for OPWDD eligibility to help keep you organized Front Door Welcome Flyer

The CCOs will help gather the documents needed for eligibility.

• Here is a link to help see what maybe asked for Front Door Access to Services Guide
• If someone is older and retrieving such documents seems “impossible”, reach out to the Front Door local office or a CCO to gain information on what can be done to help support the eligibility process.

What services can OPWDD provide for you and/or your family member?

• Comm hab; where a worker comes to your home and provides support around daily living skills, socialization, etc.
• Respite; where a worker comes to your home, or when the individual is brought to specified location to receive supports while the primary caretaker/parent/guardian receives a break (respite).
• Vocational support; where an individual receives support while learning vocational skills
• CSIDD (Crisis Services for Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities); where clinical professionals assist individuals, families, and/or other providers support in helping an individual with complex needs. They can help create support plans to aide an individual during a trying time.
• Day Hab; an adult day program service, where an individual can engage in site based skill building, or community based skill building in areas such as learning, social skills, minimal vocational skills, and other daily living skills.
• Recreation clubs through a few providers.

There are 2 primary ways OPWDD funds services for you or your loved one.

1. Medicaid funds most services provided by OPWDD. They pay for the services through “The Waiver” which is the Home and Community Based Services Waiver. (page 10 Front Door Access to Services Guide) Services are provided by OPWDD Certified agencies (state operated or voluntary agencies).
2. Families and individuals may also chose to utilize Self Direction to guide and fund their services. (Page 18 Front Door Access to Services Guide, or Self-Direction). “Self-Direction empowers you and your family to choose the supports and services that best fit your needs.” Services can be provided by friends and family who reside out of the home and have received specified trainings. Professionals can also provide the service(s). Families and/or individuals must attend a self-direction information session, please check with your Regional OPWDD office for these dates and times. Or email region.3.self.direction@opwdd.ny.gov

NYS OPWDD has a Request an I/DD ID Card for people who have a medically diagnosed developmental disability. These I/DD ID cards are meant to be presented to law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel to aid in the communication process.  If you prefer to use a printable form and mail in your request for an IDD/ID card, download and fill out OPWDD’s form Printable I/DD ID Card Form.  The IDD/ID cards are for NYS residents ONLY.

If you or someone you know did or currently does qualify for NYS OPWDD services, and they do not receive any services for a one-year period, this may be determined to be a ‘break-in OPWDD services”. This break in service may mean that if a service is needed after that one-year time period that eligibility may need to be re-established through the OPWDD Front Door. It is important to maintain eligibility once made eligible, as the re-determination period can be time-consuming. If you are concerned about this and need further information please contact OPWDD Region 3 Offices (encompassing the Hudson Valley, Taconic and Capital District) by following this link to the appropriate services provision Contact Us | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (ny.gov)

For any generalized questions related to OPWDD, including complaints, please call 1-866-946-9733 or email info@opwdd.ny.gov . Language services are available.

And as always, if this is overwhelming and you’d like help in breaking down what is next for you, please reach out to us here at Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY at 845-486-3434 or email dhopkins@dutchessny.gov.