Information for Individuals and Families

Welcome to the Individuals and Families section of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities website. This section of our website will help you understand more about services that are offered for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and their families in New York State as well as where and how to access them.

OMRDD provides access to services for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. It does so through a regional system dividing the state into sections that are overseen by Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs). There are 14 DDSOs across the State, thereby enabling people to connect with services that are locally provided and/or certified. Contacting the DDSO is a person’s first step toward receiving the services he/she may want and need. Funding options, availability of services, and coordination of services can all be discussed at the DDSO.

Services for eligible persons in New York State are provided through a network of public and private providers, all of whom work cooperatively to assure that high quality care that appropriately meets the needs of each individual is provided. Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) are developed for each person receiving services. They are developed through an interpersonal approach utilizing person-centered planning and should afford the individual choices that reflect the personal preferences of the individual being served while meeting his/her needs.

Should you have questions related to your specific needs, please contact the DDSO office that represents your area of service provision. If you are unsure of which DDSO represents your area, you need only to click on the Map and Resource Directory section, go to Map the Agencies, and you will be able to use a point-and-click method to find out.

Links to specific and detailed information for Individuals and Families are listed below. We hope this information will be helpful for you.

What’s in this section:

• Medicare Part D: NYS OMRDD regulations and forms authorize specified individuals to enroll a beneficiary who is unable to enroll himself or herself in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

• The Catalog of Training and Development Programs offers training opportunities to people with developmental disabilities, family members and advocates. An Online Registration Form is now available.

• The Public Hearing Draft of the Five Year Comprehensive Plan for the period 2005-2010 for the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD).

• DDSO Directory - New York State government offices that coordinate and provide services for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities who live in our State.

• OMRDD Services - A listing with brief descriptions of the more frequently requested services offered for New Yorkers with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

• Family Support Services - These are services that are designed to assist families in providing care for their loved ones with developmental disabilities who live full-time in their family home.

• Facts about Developmental Disabilities - A description of some of the more major developmental disabilities is presented.

• Map and Resource Directory - This section provides the ability to locate services, providers, and other information through a point-and-click method linked through a map of New York State.

• Guide for Choosing a Residential Service Provider - A Questions and Answers (Q&A) guide to help you make informed choices when you're deciding on residential care.

• Health Care Choices - This publication provides information about making health care choices in advance for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

• NYS-CARES - Nationally acclaimed program that offers residential services program for eligible individuals in New York State. NYS-CARES I and NYS-CARES II have provided opportunities for out-of-home residential services for people with developmental disabilities.

• Family Care Services - An alternative to traditional residential services in group homes is to live with a family that provides services in their family home. This option for care is described in this section.

• Parent to Parent - This organization offers support for parents of people who have mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

• Self-Advocacy Association of NYS, Inc. - This organization is comprised of individuals who have developmental disabilities. Their mission is to advocate for supports and services, as well as to build public awareness and understanding of developmental disabilities.

• Information about Overnight Summer Camps for Adults with Developmental Disabilities - (For information about Overnight Summer Camps for Children, please contact the Department of Health.)

• Person Centered Planning - Explanation of individualized services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.

• Task Force on Special Dentistry - Dentists from across New York State have come together to address special needs dental care issues. These are explained, and a list of participating dentists who can serve as consultants for you is provided.

• Acronym List - Much of New York State government utilizes acronyms. Those that pertain to the OMRDD system are listed here.

• Provider Associations Listing - These umbrella organizations represent various nonprofit agencies that provide supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities across the State.

• Links to other Government Sites - is a listing of other New York State, federal or local governmental agencies that may provide useful information related to services for individuals and their families.

• What's New

• As part of OMRDD's ongoing efforts to meet changing and emerging needs, the agency is embarking on the new and exciting initiative called Options for People Through Services (OPTS) - a newly structured, consumer-driven organized healthcare delivery approach to providing supports and services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in New York State.