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opwdd Updated Process to Manage Certified Residential Opportunities (CRO)

Updated Process to Manage Certified Residential Opportunities (CRO)

OPWDD is committed to supporting people to live in a home of their choice where they can be part of their community. Part of upholding that commitment is identifying residential opportunities as soon as they become available and matching those opportunities with people who need the support of certified residential services, particularly those with the most immediate needs.

To provide consistency and to enhance efficiency in this process, OPWDD is launching a multiple stage initiative to amend the process. As part of the first stage of this work, we are proud to release an Administrative Directive Memorandum (ADM) describing how the agency will manage Certified Residential Opportunities going forward. This ADM supports the New York State regulation of OPWDD Certified Residential Opportunities which became effective in June 2023 and is focused on reducing the administrative burden historically associated with this process, resulting in a more person-centered experience for people and for providers.

This new ADM is one part of OPWDD’s short-term housing strategy outlined in the 2024 Strategic Plan Annual Report. It describes how OPWDD makes certified housing opportunities available to those who qualify for them by working in partnership with service providers and Care Coordination Organizations to connect people with the least restrictive certified housing appropriate to meet their needs.

The ADM will support the Certified Residential Opportunities process and clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of OPWDD staff, the residential provider agencies and Care Managers and specifically indicates how:

Care Managers must fully explore the least restrictive housing that might be right for each person;
OPWDD determines if the person requesting housing needs the support of a certified home;
Opportunities for certified housing are made available first for those in greatest need;
The person requesting certified housing (and their family or representatives) must be supported to make informed choices and have their personal and cultural needs reflected in their person-centered planning; and
OPWDD assigns a priority level for each person based on things like the care a person needs because of their developmental disability, the availability of support from their family and friends and the risk of harm in their current home.

We recognize the importance of hearing from the public when creating guidance that will impact their lives, which is why this ADM was developed through a public comment process and with the input of a workgroup representing many perspectives. This final version represents changes made in response to that collaborative process

Your voice is essential. Sharing your story helps make a difference—not just for your family, but for all families across New York State.

Let’s build a more inclusive and equitable system together!

We can’t wait to hear from you at OPWDD’s Family Listening Session in 2025!

Please sign up for the Family listening sessions that are taking place in 2025.

To ensure accessibility, the sessions will be offered: In English and the 12 languages required by the New York State Language Access Law

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) wants to hear from families of people with developmental disabilities about their experiences with the developmental disabilities service system in New York. That’s why we are partnering with the Georgetown University Center for Cultural Competence to make sure that the voices of all families within our system are heard.

We want to hear from the families of people who are currently receiving services, have received services in the past, or families of people who are or have been unable to access supports and services.

We ask for your help to get the word out!

Please share the below information with your friends, advocacy groups, listservs and networks to get the word out to families of people with developmental disabilities in New York State.

Note: We will be partnering with Georgetown to host sessions with people receiving services at a later date. Registration information for those sessions will be circulated once it becomes available.

Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) will hold listening sessions (on Zoom and by telephone) for families of people with developmental disabilities. The listening sessions are intended to hear about your experiences in accessing supports and services:

based on your family’s cultural beliefs and practices
in your preferred language
that are appropriate and fair

REGISTER FOR A FAMILY LISTENING SESSION NOW

Your experiences and insights are important. NCCC will listen to you and pass this information along to OPWDD. Your name will not be included in any of your comments. Sharing your thoughts and experiences will help OPWDD and its providers improve supports and services. To ensure accessibility, the sessions will be offered:

In English and the 12 languages required by the New York State Language Access Law.
In American Sign Language (ASL).

We understand the demands on your time. That’s why we’re offering sessions during the weekdays and on Saturdays to accommodate your schedules. We appreciate the time you will devote to participating in a listening session. We will offer participants a $25 electronic gift card (one per family) to honor your time. Space is limited! Register today and share with other families! If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 202-784-0600.

Details about the Family Listening Sessions

The Virtual Family Listening Sessions will take place throughout January and February 2025.
Additional information will be provided to families when they register.

If you have any questions regarding the Family Listening Sessions, please email us at [email protected].

Thank you in advance for sharing with your listservs and networks!

Pre-school aged child with disabilities holding sensory device in classroom

Pre-school students in need of special education services are not always getting the help they need or are getting services late, according to an audit released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. The audit of the State Department of Education (SED) found many local school districts maintain waitlists for services because there are not enough providers, and SED’s oversight of services was hindered because it did not know how many students were enrolled in the preschool special education service program, the services they are receiving in real time, or the number of districts using waitlists.

“Providing timely, quality early education services to preschool children with special needs can make a world of difference in their development, and delays can have long term consequences for their academic futures,” DiNapoli said. “Too many children are not getting the services and therapies they are entitled to within required timeframes, and some are not getting the services at all. The State Education Department and school districts must do a better job serving these students. I am pleased that SED agreed with our findings and has taken several steps to improve service delivery for students entitled to these essential special education services.”

We have one final opportunity this Congress to advance the recognition and support of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) through the bipartisan “Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act” (H.R. 2941/S. 1332). Thanks to your efforts and the work of thousands of advocates across the country, this critical legislation passed unanimously in the Senate earlier this year. More recently, it also passed unanimously in the House Education and Workforce Committee. We are very close to full passage of the legislation, but we need your help to move it forward for a vote in the full House of Representatives.DSPs are the backbone of community-based supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), but the lack of data collection on this critical workforce has made it more difficult for policymakers to address the dire workforce shortages in home and community-based services (HCBS).This legislation changes that. By urging the creation of a standard occupational classification for DSPs, H.R. 2941/S. 1332 will give federal and state leaders the tools they need to craft effective policies that support DSPs and ensure individuals with I/DD receive high-quality care.This is a crucial moment that we cannot let slip away. The bipartisan support this legislation has received demonstrates the shared understanding of the vital role DSPs play in our communities. Now, it’s time to ensure that every Representative knows how critical this bill is for the future of HCBS.Take Action Now!
Your Representative needs to hear from you today. Use our simple advocacy tool to send a message urging your Member of Congress to support H.R. 2941/S. 1332 on the House floor. Every message counts in showing the broad support for this issue and ensuring this bill moves forward.

Contact Your Representative Now

Together, we have the power to secure meaningful recognition and support for the DSP workforce. Thank you for advocating for the needs of individuals with I/DD and the professionals who make their inclusion possible.

Do you receive NYS public benefits? SNAP, Temporary Assistance or Cash Assistance, homeless shelter, utility/rental assistance, or SSI? We’d like to know what works for you. Please take a few minutes to take the survey; your identity will remain anonymous: https://on.nyc.gov/4eDvTI2

Reduced-Fare OMNY cards are here!

Introducing the Reduced-Fare OMNY Card – your ticket to convenient, affordable transportation across New York City! Read on to learn more about switching over to OMNY and register for our webinar on all things Reduced-Fare OMNY on December 20.

If you currently have a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, you can expect to automatically receive a new Reduced-Fare OMNY Card in the mail in December or January.

Once you have received your new card, you can add value and tap to pay half price anytime at:

Subway turnstiles
Local, limited, or Select buses
Off-peak express buses
Staten Island Railway
Hudson Rail Link
Roosevelt Island Tram

Your new Reduced-Fare OMNY card has the same benefits as a MetroCard: You get the same free subway-to-bus and bus-to-bus transfers as before, and you can refill it at OMNY card vending machines in subway stations.

There are also new benefits:

Earn free rides when you ride a lot: Tap the same card for 12 rides within seven days and any additional rides within the seven days are automatically free. That means you won’t spend more than $17 in a week. (Note: taps on express buses and AirTrain JFK don’t count toward free rides.)
Add value to your card online or set your card to refill automatically with a free, optional OMNY account. Your account also lets you see how close you are to earning free weekly rides. Visit omny.info to set up an account and link your card.

Your Reduced-Fare MetroCard will work until the expiration date printed on the back. We recommend you continue swiping to use up any remaining value on your MetroCard, and then start tapping with your OMNY card. Check out this video to learn more about the Reduced-Fare OMNY card.

If you are not enrolled in the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program or have previously used a temporary Reduced-Fare MetroCard, we encourage you to sign up today! You can apply in person at our Customer Service Center at 3 Stone St in Lower Manhattan or by mail. Visit our website to learn more about how to apply.

If you have questions about your card, call OMNY customer service at 877-789-6669 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

The Central Business District Tolling Program received final approval from the federal government.On November 22, the federal government provided all necessary approvals for the Congestion Relief Zone toll to begin on January 5, 2025. Visit our website to read the NEPA Re-evaluation and the Value Pricing Pilot Program agreement.

Some drivers may be eligible for discounts and exemptions from the Congestion Relief Zone toll.Congestion Relief Zone tolling will begin on January 5, 2025. Most vehicles will pay $9 in the peak and $2.25 overnight. Check now to see if you are eligible for any discount and exemption plans. A valid, current E-ZPass New York account is required to apply for a discount or exemption plan.

If you already applied and received a notification that you were approved, you don’t need to re-apply. To check if the discount or exemption plan you applied for has been added to your account, call E-ZPass customer service at 800-333-8655.

Read on for a brief overview of these plans:

Individual Disability Exemption Plan

The Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) application portal is now open. This plan is available for individuals who have disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using transit. IDEP can be applied to a vehicle registered to the applicant, or to a vehicle registered to a person the applicant designates, such as a family member or a caregiver, if they use that vehicle to drive the applicant in the Congestion Relief Zone.

To qualify, you must be enrolled in the NYC Parking Permit for People with Disabilities or the MTA’s Access-A-Ride Program, or you must complete an assessment at one of our centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Learn more about this process, including how to apply.

Low-Income Discount Plan

Drivers enrolled in the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP) receive a 50% discount on the Congestion Relief Zone peak toll. The discount begins after the first 10 trips in a calendar month and applies to all peak period trips after that. To qualify for LIDP, vehicle owners must have reported a federal adjusted gross income for the previous calendar year of no more than $50,000, or be enrolled in a qualifying government assistance program (SNAP, WIC, or TANF). You don’t need to be a resident of New York to apply for LIDP, but you will need an E-ZPass NY account. Learn more, including how to apply.

Other exemption plans

Exemptions are also available for organizations that transport people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, commuter buses, and specialized government-owned vehicles. Details on those plans are available on our website.

Learn more about the Congestion Relief Zone at a webinar.Join the MTA for a public webinar in December to learn more about the Congestion Relief Zone. We’re hosting eight, 60-minute public webinars and will explain how the toll works, program benefits, available discounts and exemptions, and how to prepare before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. We encourage you to submit questions beforehand.

Registration is now open for all sessions. Visit our website for more information about registration, and webinar dates and times.

Thank you, and stay tuned for more news on Congestion Relief Zone tolling.

Sign up for Congestion Relief Zone tolling webinars

Learn about the tolling program before it goes into effect on January 5

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars during the first three weeks of December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling.

The 60-minute webinars will explain how the Congestion Relief Zone works, how the program benefits the region, discounts and exemptions, and what people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will also feature a Q&A. There will be one public webinar with a focus on the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) and another on the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP).

Participants must register online prior to the start of the session(s) they wish to attend. Use these links to register for a session:

Pricing and the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP). This webinar will be on Monday, December 23 at 6pm. Sign up for the webinar now and submit any questions.

The MTA Accessibility team will be hosting another webinar focused on Congestion Pricing and the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP). This webinar will be on Monday, December 23 at 6pm. Sign up for the webinar now and submit any questions.

Participants are invited to submit questions in advance of the webinars through the registration link. View answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Congestion Relief Zone tolling.

Starting on January 5, 2025, vehicles will be tolled to enter the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street excluding the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street. The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. Learn more about toll rates.

Make sure your current license plate is linked to your E-ZPass account to get the lower toll rate and any applicable crossing credits, discounts and exemptions when entering the Congestion Relief Zone. Learn more about discounts and exemptions.

For more information on the program, visit our Congestion Relief Zone tolling website.

Accessibility and language assistance services

Congestion Pricing will improve quality of life by reducing vehicular traffic, improving air quality, and making New York a safer and more livable place. Fewer vehicles on the road means faster bus and paratransit trips. Plus, the billions of dollars in funding generated by Congestion Pricing will bring critical transit improvements including new subway cars and electric buses, reliability improvements, and more than 20 accessible subway stations. Learn more about the benefits of Congestion Pricing.

This webinar builds off the numerous webinars that the MTA has hosted, including an IDEP-specific webinar on December 4. More information about Congestion Pricing, including a recording of the general information webinar, can be found on the Congestion Pricing webpage. More information about discounts and exemptions can be found on the Discounts and Exemptions webpage, which will soon be updated with the recording of the IDEP-specific webinar from December 4.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

MTA Accessibility

MTA Releases Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan

$68.4 Billion Plan is the Largest State of Good Repair Investment in MTA History, With More Than 90% Dedicated to Rebuilding and Improving the System

Priorities include Order of 2,000 Railcars, More than 60 Newly Accessible Stations, and Modern Fare Gates at 150 Stations

Infrastructure Investments to Upgrade Outdated Power Systems, Rebuild 100-Year-Old Shops, and Rehabilitate Structures like the Grand Central Artery

Funding for Interborough Express Construction

View 2025-2029 Capital Plan

View Video of News Conference

View Photos of News Conference

View Maps of Planned Investments in New York City & Throughout the Region

View Introductory Video to Capital Plan,

‘The Future Rides With Us’

full information

click mta capital 2025 2029

MTA To Hold Public Open Houses on the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan

First Open House at Grand Central Terminal on Oct. 21

Read the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan

View Introductory Video to Capital Plan, ‘The Future Rides With Us’

The CBDTP webinars will have live captioning (CART) and ASL interpretation. A recorded webinar in other languages will be available online. If you need another accommodation or language interpretation, please let us know when you register.

Feel free to contact the following elected officials to share your thoughts:

Gov Hochul: 518-474-8390

Lt Gov Delgado: 518-402-2292

State Senator Jackson: 518-455-2041

Assembly member Taylor: 518-455-5491

U.S. Representative Espaillat: 212-497-5959

City council member De La Rosa: 212-788-7053

What you can do:

1 call Schumer’s office at 202-224-6542

2 call your congressman, state legislators, and city councilmembers every day

PATH – Proposed Fare Reduction for Qualifying Disabled Riders

“I applaud both Governor Hochul and Governor Murphy for taking the initiative to offer a reduced PATH fare for people with disabilities,” said New York state Chief Disability Officer Kimberly Hill. “This lower cost will enable New York’s disability community more access to reliable and convenient transportation.”

“Access to transportation is an issue that many New Yorkers with disabilities have struggled with for years,” said New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Willow Baer. “The reduced fare for the PATH system proposed by Governor Hochul will provide affordable access to reliable and accessible transportation for New Yorkers with disabilities who commute between New York and New Jersey.”

Ask Your Assemblymembers & Senators to Reach Out to Governor Hochul!

It’s the time of year when Governor Kathy Hochul and the team at the Division of Budget are compiling the Executive Budget proposal for the State’s next fiscal year and time for our advocacy to ask that our budget requests be included in the Executive Budget proposal.

Members of the Senate and Assembly can be very helpful with this advocacy. Your outreach to your Senators and Assemblymembers is essential. Please take the time to reach out and ask them to send this letter to Governor Kathy Hochul.

The letter contains the New York Disability Advocates budget requests:

– A 7.8% Increase in Provider Rates

– Empaneling a Blue-Ribbon Commission on wage disparities to recommend future actions to increase direct care staffs’ salaries

– Capital Funding to improve energy efficiency in our day and residential programs to help providers contribute to the Governor’s climate goals

To find your members of the Senate and Assembly, go to Assembly Member Search | New York State Assembly and Find My Senator | NYSenate.gov

Thank you very much for your support of our statewide advocacy!

Each year, the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is required to submit a report to the Administration for Community Living, the federal agency that oversees all state councils on developmental disabilities. This report, called the Program Performance Report, describes our progress in achieving our goals and objectives in our 5-year State Plan and documents the outcomes, results, and impacts of our work.

Please help us complete our report by responding to this short survey on our communications and policy work. The survey should take you 5 minutes or less to complete, and your answers will remain anonymous.

The survey will be open until November 20th, 2024. We appreciate your feedback.

For more information about the CDD and the 5-year State Plan, visit cdd.ny.gov

CLICK FOR SURVEY

What’s new this week?

.AFC WEBINARS. IT’S ALMOST TIME TO APPLY FOR KINDERGARTEN. Families of children with disabilities born in 2020 will participate in two processes this year: the Kindergarten Admissions process and the Kindergarten IEP process. All through December and January, join AFC’s educational experts to learn more about how to get special education services for students with disabilities as they move from preschool to kindergarten. Learn more and register >>
.PARENT SPEAK OUT. THE ARISE COALITION WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. The ARISE Coalition is hosting a Parent Speak Out where parents and caregivers can share their experiences with special education in NYC public schools and make recommendations for change. Learn more and register
.ACTION ALERT. DEMAND FAIR FUNDING FOR NY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. For the first time in 17 years, NY state leaders are reexamining the formula used to decide how much education funding school districts get from the State. More than 115 organizations are calling for changes to help meet the needs of today’s students and prepare them for the future. Learn more and take action >>
.ACTION ALERT. TELL GOV. HOCHUL TO KEEP HER PROMISE TO YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. In New York State, children often have to wait weeks or even months for their mandated Early Intervention services to begin because there aren’t providers available. Tell Governor Hochul and state legislators to keep their promise to increase the payment rate for EI services >>
.EVENT. NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR LISTENING TOUR. Starting next week, Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos will be conducting a citywide “listening tour” to hear from parents, educators, students, and local leaders on key educational issues. Learn more and register for one of the borough-based events >>

Free Shuttle Buses To Serve Two Routes to The Rockaways

Free Rockaway Subway Shuttle Extended To Serve All Stations on Peninsula

Heavily Discounted LIRR Fares at Far Rockaway Station — $2.75 each way

Estimated $400 Million Investment in Rockaways Service Reliability

for information click Rockaway A and S Train Line Resiliency Project

What we’re doing

From January 17, 2025 to May 2025, there will be major service changes on the line and Rockaway Park Shuttle:

trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run to/from Broad Channel.

Other service changes may also affect your trip. Check planned service changes or service status, or use the MTA app for more information. You can also sign up for email and text alerts.

Sign up to receive a regular newsletter with construction updates, service changes, and more.

https://new.mta.info/project/rockaway-line-resiliency-and-rehabilitation