Guiding You In The Right Direction

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an intellectual/developmental disability, you're about to start on a journey that might seem overwhelming at first.  But you are not alone.  There are many great programs and resources to help you along the way, as well as countless wonderful people who are on the same journey.   Let's look at the important first steps you should take to get off on the right foot...

When it comes to Health and Wellness your body is a lot like a car. When you take a car in for tune-ups and oil changes on time, it’ll run better and last longer. The same is true for your body. Wellness checkups and physical exams are like tune-ups. They let your primary care provider (PCP) test your body’s parts and help catch health problems and potential issues early. Let us guide you in the right direction ...

When it comes to Health and Wellness your body is a lot like a car. When you take a car in for tune-ups and oil changes on time, it’ll run better and last longer. The same is true for your body. Wellness checkups and physical exams are like tune-ups. They let your primary care provider (PCP) test your body’s parts and help catch health problems and potential issues early. Let us guide you in the right direction …

In New Yok State, supports and services needed by individuals with an Intellectual or Development Disability (IDD) are now facilitated through a process called "Care Coordination."  Learn more about Care Coordination, who's involved and how it works...

When it comes to Health and Wellness your body is a lot like a car. When you take a car in for tune-ups and oil changes on time, it’ll run better and last longer. The same is true for your body. Wellness checkups and physical exams are like tune-ups. They let your primary care provider (PCP) test your body’s parts and help catch health problems and potential issues early. Let us guide you in the right direction ...

In an effort to improve service quality and outcomes, while also controlling costs, New York State has been exploring options to improve upon the support systems that have been built for people with I/DD over several decades.  One option, which has been a primary focus of this effort, is the development of an (I/DD) provider led managed care model for the delivery of care and services to New York State residents with I/DD.  The State refers to these proposed specialized managed care entities as “SIPs-PL”, or Specialized I/DD Plans - Provider Led.

Getting involved in their child’s education is among the most important things a parent of a child with IDD can do to make sure that their child gets the support he or she needs throughout their school career. Although the process can be confusing and intimidating, parents should know what is available and how to advocate for their child, so they can take the necessary steps to ensure their child receives appropriate services.  

Self-Direction is all about choice, flexibility and responsibility. Self-Direction gives individuals with IDD, and those who support them, the opportunity to choose the supports and services that will best meet their needs and allow them to live the way they want to live. This allows individuals and their caregivers to have greater control over the services they receive, how they receive them and who provides them.

Financial and legal considerations are among the most important issues faced by those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who care for them.  But they are also among the most complicated ones.  Here we'll shed some light on some of the common financial and legal topics.  Of course your Care Manager a your CCO can also help to provide information and direction on these issues as well.

New York State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities offers a wide range of services and supports to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in a home of their choosing, find employment and other meaningful activities, build relationships in the community, and support overall good health.  Learn more about them here.