WELCOME OPWDD/BDDRO PAGE
Kerri Neifeld serves as the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) following her nomination as Commissioner by Governor Kathy Hochul in early November of 2021. Prior to her nomination, Kerri most recently served as Assistant Secretary for Human Services & Mental Hygiene in the governor’s office.
Before working in the governor’s office, Kerri was Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) where she managed the Division of Shelter Oversight and Compliance. Kerri joined OTDA as Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner while serving as an Excelsior Service Fellow, before being promoted to Assistant Deputy Commissioner.
Prior to joining the Excelsior Service Fellowship Program, Kerri was a Fellow on Women & Public Policy at Rockefeller College’s Center for Women in Government & Civil Society. A passionate advocate for others, Kerri also worked as a Project Manager at the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, a Child Protective Services Caseworker and a Foster Care Caseworker as well as a Youth Care Worker at WAIT House Homeless Youth Shelter. Kerri plans to use her years of public service experience to inform new and innovative ways to support and serve people with developmental disabilities.
Kerri holds a B.A. from Elmira College and an M.S.W. from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare.
Welcome to the Front Door!
The Front Door is the way OPWDD connects you to the services you want and need. Once you enter, a person-centered planning process begins, which helps you learn about and access service options that take your needs and desires into consideration. It will also give you the chance to direct your own service plan or help your family member or loved one as they direct theirs.
The Front Door is based on the understanding that, as a person with developmental disabilities you have the right to:
- Enjoy meaningful relationships,
- Experience personal growth,
- Participate in your community and,
- Live in the home of your choice.
Front Door staff will guide you through the steps involved in finding out if you are eligible for services with OPWDD, identify your needs, goals and preferences and help you work on a plan for getting those services.
How do I begin?
Contact the OPWDD Infoline at 866-946-9733 and ask them to transfer you to your local Front Door Office by telling the operator what county you live in. You can also view the Front Door modules below where you will learn how to access services and what types of services are available.
The first step to receiving assistance is to determine if you are eligible. Once you are determined eligible, you can begin the planning process. There are many supports and service options available, including supports to live in your home independently or with others, employment, day habilitation, and children’s services.
click front door How do I begin?
Helping You to Get the Supports and Services You Need
Planning your services — or the services for your loved one — can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to the OPWDD system.
Once you have been deemed eligible for OPWDD supports and services through the Front Door process, your next step is to find a Care Manager.
The Life Plan that you and the Care Manager create together using a person-centered planning process will reflect your life goals and changing needs.
https://opwdd.ny.gov/access-supports/plan-your-services
CARE MANAGEMENT
OPWDD offers two care management options, Health Home Care Management and Basic Home and Community Based Services Plan Support. People who live in the downstate region of New York State can also enroll in the FIDA-IDD program for care management.
You can find an overview of enrollment and care planning information for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities receiving OPWDD services through our Care Coordination Organization Care Management Profile.
click care coordinator organization
Types of Services
PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT HELP YOU LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE
Through OPWDD, you can access supports and services that can help your family to support you to live in your family home; assistance for you to live on your own in the community of your choice; help if you want to work, take part in volunteer opportunities or other types of community involvement; and assistance accessing services you need to live your life, including connecting you to clinical or therapeutic supports.
https://opwdd.ny.gov/providers/operating-information
https://opwdd.ny.gov/types-services
https://opwdd.ny.gov/providers
Training
OVERVIEW
OPWDD offered trainings will be available in the Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS). The SLMS will allow you to enroll in classes, print certificates and handouts, launch online learning, and view your learning history. Select the ‘Find Trainings’ link below to create an account and login.
https://opwdd.ny.gov/providers/training
family support service
The Family Support Services (FSS) Program helps families who are caring at home for a relative with a developmental disability by providing aid to the caregiver, enhancing family stability and preserving family unity.
Nineteen local Family Support Services Advisory Councils made up of people with developmental disabilities and their family members help plan, coordinate and monitor the delivery of Family Support Services across the state.
In addition, a Statewide Family Support Services Committee made up of one representative from each of the nineteen local Family Support Services Advisory Councils advises OPWDD regarding families’ support needs and the design, implementation and monitoring of Family Support Services. Upcoming meetings of the Statewide Family Support Services Committee are listed on our Public Meetings page or Brooklyn FSS Guide
If you would like to learn more about the local Family Support Services Advisory Councils or the Statewide Family Support Services Committee, or if you would like
if you would like to get involved go to
GET TO KNOW BROOKLYN COUNCILS page
All Reportable Incidents must be reported by telephone to OPWDD’s Incident Management Unit 518-473-7032
Reportable Incidents of Abuse and Neglect include but are not limited to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as other prohibited conduct such as deliberate inappropriate use of restraint, and neglect. Reportable Significant Incidents include but are not limited to medication errors that result in adverse effects, use of seclusion, mistreatment, missing person, and choking events. These definitions are explained in detail in the Part 624 Handbook.
https://opwdd.ny.gov/providers/incident-management
General Information
Dial 7-1-1 to reach New York Relay for people who are hard of hearing or who have a speech disability. Read our Accessibility statement.
Report suspected instances of Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse anonymously by using our online form.
If you need to speak with someone in a different language, please state your language for the operator.
Contact us by phone:
Information Line 866-946-9733
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
44 Holland Ave. Albany NY 12229
Long Island
General Information Long Island
631-434-6100
New York City
General Information Queens
718-217-5890
General Information Brooklyn
718-642-6112
General Information Manhattan
646-766-3466
General Information Bronx
718-430-0885
General Information Staten Island
718-983-5233
Western NY
Phone: 716-517-2057
Email: [email protected]
Counties served: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara & Orleans
Queens
Phone: 718-217-5110
Email: [email protected]
Brooklyn
Phone: 718-642-6310
Email: [email protected]
Bronx & New York
Phone: 718-430-0710
Email:[email protected]
Staten Island
Phone: 718-983-5433
Email: [email protected]
Long Island
Phone: 631-326-4497
Email: [email protected]
Counties served: Nassau & Suffolk