FREE Cooling Assistance Benefit Opened on April 15 HEAP has opened its Cooling Assistance Benefit Program, which offers a free air conditioner or fan to eligible households, if they qualify based on the following: You must meet one or more…
Continue Reading "HEAP OFFERING AIR CONDITIONERS OR FANS TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY"May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time focused on raising awareness about the importance of mental health and the impact it has on people of all ages and backgrounds. Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable…
Continue Reading "MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH"It’s not too late to connect with your regional Social Care Network (SCN)! The NYS DOH 1115 New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver Amendment (AKA “The 1115”) is a $7.5 billion investment designed to improve health outcomes, advance health…
Continue Reading "1115 NEW YORK HEALTH EQUITY REFORM (NYHER) WAIVER"Learn How to be a Better Ally in Honor of Autism Acceptance Month As an organization dedicated to serving people with disabilities, it is crucial to remember that our work is never truly complete. We must continually strive to learn,…
Continue Reading "PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE THROUGH ALLYSHIP"1115 Workforce Program – Career Pathways Training Career Pathways Training is an education and training program authorized under the 1115 NYHER Waiver. There are three approved categories of workers authorized to participate in the program – nursing, professional technical, or…
Continue Reading "1115 Workforce Program – Career Pathways Training"1115 New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver Updates The NYS DOH 1115 New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver launched with nine regional Social Care Networks (SCNs) on January 1, 2025. It’s not too late to connect with your…
Continue Reading "1115 New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver Updates"The My Choice Supplemental Needs Community Trust The My Choice Community Trust mission is to protect and provide resources to assist people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in living their most healthy and meaningful lives, by safeguarding their assets…
Continue Reading "Coming Soon – The My Choice Supplemental Needs Community Trust"Newly Amended CRO Process Effective December 19, 2024, OPWDD released an Administrative Memorandum (ADM) detailing the newly amended Certified Residential Opportunity (CRO) process. This ADM clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of OPWDD staff, residential provider agencies, and Care Managers.…
Continue Reading "OPWDD Certified Residential Opportunities Updates"Care Managers and Providers Working Together Liann M. Dennis, Quality Compliance Investigations Specialist of People’s Arc of Suffolk, shared a wonderful example of Person-Centered Engagement between their organization and ACANY. ACANY Care Manager Helen Mostacero supports a member named Gio…
Continue Reading "Member Success Story"Providing Resources for People with IDD In 2023, Section § 33.28 of the New York State Mental Hygiene Law was enacted to establish the IDD Ombudsman to provide independent, conflict-free Ombudsman services to assist people with developmental disabilities. OPWDD recently…
Continue Reading "OPWDD Announces New Ombuds Program"
