For individuals and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), navigating services can feel overwhelming. Care coordination through OPWDD helps connect individuals and families to the supports they need for long-term stability, independence and quality of life.
Citizen Advocates works alongside care coordination organizations to ensure individuals receive comprehensive, Medicaid-funded services designed specifically for people with developmental disabilities.
OPWDD care coordination provides a more comprehensive approach to service planning and oversight.
Through an approved care coordination organization, individuals and families can access:
These services are designed to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive coordinated, person-centered care.
Care coordination services are provided through Health Home Care Management organizations that specialize in developmental disability services, such as CareDesign New York.
These organizations partner with families to:
If you or your family member are new to OPWDD services, the first step is to contact the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) “Front Door” process.
OPWDD staff will:
Once eligibility is established, you will receive information about available care coordination organizations and be asked to select one.
After selecting a care coordination provider, your family member will begin receiving ongoing support services.
Most services are funded through Medicaid and typically require no out-of-pocket cost to families.
Through OPWDD care coordination, individuals may access:
The goal is to support independence, safety and meaningful participation in the community.
For more information about OPWDD care coordination and available providers:
We provide employment and pre-employment services to people with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities. We assist people with obtaining and maintaining employment at a community based job, as well as teaching pre-employment skills.
These are warm and friendly settings where individuals can work on daily living skills in a group setting, independent living skills, outreach and community engagement.
At Citizen Advocates, we work as a team to provide the best individual, person-centered services to the people we serve. Care coordination assists clients with identifying and accessing the services that will assist them in addressing the problems they are experiencing, or that will help them to achieve a higher quality life or level of functioning.
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