Citizen Advocates provides community supports and activities to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Whether it be a gym membership, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, or going grocery shopping, people who participate in our community support and activities can be found throughout every town and village in our area. People of all ages enjoy these unique services and may be seen playing in the park, feeding ducks at the duck pond, or orchestrating a birthday party, all while in the company of a direct support professional.

Community habilitation services

Community habilitation services help people participate in opportunities for personal growth, assisting each person in learning and practicing skills they may want or need. The services are geared towards helping people fulfill their personal dreams through learning skills like how to maintain a home, buying groceries or budgeting and preparing meals. Through this service, people can explore and learn about their community and its resources while participating in local events.

In most cases, community habilitation is offered as a one-on-one service. The hours and schedules are very flexible and based on what each person may want or need. Community habilitation services are available from Citizen Advocates throughout Franklin and Clinton Counties. 

Jamie Chapin Team Lead jamiechapin@citizenadvocates.net Phone:518-651-2813

Fiscal intermediary and self-directed services

The goal of the fiscal intermediary and self-directed services is to give each person the choice to create service flexibility. We want each individual to be able to find the right mix of supports and services to create their own life. That means, with the help of the fiscal intermediary and broker, each person manages their own budget to choose services, hire their own necessary support staff and find the vendors and organizations they’d like to buy services from. Self-directed services allow each individual to build a budget that will pay for things like rent, phone bill, and the purchase of basic goods. The Citizen Advocates’ self-directed services also sponsor a self-advocate and family group.

Jamie Cox Team Lead jamiecox@citizenadvocates.net Phone:518-481-8240

Support broker

The support broker services provide assistance to people who would like to self-direct their Medicaid and/or other funded services. The services help each person to exercise as much control over their life as possible by guiding them and helping them to set up their own self-directed budget. The support broker then provides training and ongoing support to the individual as they work toward achieving whatever budgetary goals they originally set. Additionally, support brokers also work with individuals to form solid support network made up of friends, family members and people in the community who can help the individual in all other areas of their life.

Jamie Cox Team Lead jamiecox@citizenadvocates.net Phone:518-481-8240

Group day habilitation—site based

Day habilitation is offered in a group setting at Citizen Advocate’s state-certified locations. It is designed to offer people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to acquire, retain and improve a variety of identified skills. It is a place where friendships are made and fostered through meaningful activities. Day habilitation offers a range of daily choices both at the day habilitation program and within our local communities.  

Melissa Rundall Team Lead melissarundall@citizenadvocates.net Phone:518-481-8240 Fax:518-481-5289

Respite

Citizen Advocates offers respite services to families who support a person with an intellectual or developmental disability. Our respite services provide temporary relief for caregivers when the service is requested or needed. We believe our specialty in providing respite to children under the age of 10 is a great option for families new to the OPWDD system as they determine what type of services will work best for their loved one. For more information, contact Christy Gratton, Team Lead, at 518-917-2928.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer opportunities may include, but are not limited to: Meals on Wheels, Lion’s mint program, community beautification projects, making homemade dog biscuits for the animal shelter and precious pups, baking cookies at Christmas time for homebound individuals and much more. For more information, call 518-483-1250.

General contact

If you or your family member with a developmental disability would like to create a life at home or in the community, call us and tell us about your dreams and wishes for a full and happy life.

Malone Office Phone:518-483-1251

Saranac Lake Office Phone:518-891-5535