The Knowledge Center has been developed to empower our members with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with the information and tools they need to reach their full potential. To search specific topics, click the search icon at the top of the page.
A new and improved Knowledge Center coming soon!
New to Care Management Services?
Getting Started
Get help enrolling your child or family member for disability services.
How Care Coordination Works
Care Coordination Organizations (CCO) connect you to the disability programs, support, and services you need. LEARN MORE…
Video on Enrollment
Enroll your child or family member for disability services so they can get the help they need to live a full and healthy life.
Download these documents to learn more.
Care Coordination: How it Works | Spanish
Care Management
Care Management coordinates disability supports and services that members and families need.
Building Great Relationships with Your Care Manager
It is important to practice good communications strategies when talking with your Care Manager so that they can clearly understand your needs. LEARN MORE…
Care Management Basics
What to expect from Care Management Services and how your Care Manager will assist with the process. LEARN MORE…
Building Great Relationships with Your Care Manager
Overview of LIFEPlan
As you start the CCO enrollment process, your Care Manager will coordinate many different services and communicate with you regularly to ensure you understand the terms, documents and processes required.
Download these documents to learn more.
OPWDD Individual Rights | Spanish
The Life Plan Document Process | Spanish
Relationship Building Tips for Care Managers | Spanish
Care Management Basics| Spanish
Parental Deeming Explained| Spanish
Waiver Services Overview | Spanish
Assessments
Eligibility is required to access disability services. A variety of assessments are then administered.
Navigating Disability Services with Your Care Manager
Care Managers assist with a person-centered planning process to document how and where someone wants to live. LEARN MORE…
Assessments: What You Need to Know Now Webinar
To access disability services in NYS, OPWDD eligibility is required. Once achieved, a variety of assessments are administered to determine the nature and significance of the developmental disability and receive services.
Download these documents to learn more.
Person Centered Planning Process Infographic | Spanish
Waiver Services Overview | Spanish
Care Management Planning
Self-Direction
Choose services and support that give more control over how you want to live.
Creative Ways to Find Support Staff
Create your own DSP handbook. LEARN MORE…
Self Direction Services
This post is to help our members and their families better understand how to access self-directed services. LEARN MORE…
Self-Direction Webinar
Self-Direction allows you to have increased flexibility to choose the right supports for you, the staff you want to work with and a schedule that works best for you. This gives you more control over how you want to structure your life.
Download these documents to learn more.
Residential Services
Residential information and opportunities. Options can vary from region to region.
Residential Opportunities for people with disabilities
Where can I live? A wide range of residential opportunities are available for adults with IDD. LEARN MORE…
A Home of Her Own
Steps this family took to learn how to buy a home for their daughter with Down’s Syndrome. LEARN MORE…
Housing Round Table Discussion
A wide range of residential opportunities are available for adults with IDD. Families are encouraged to start talking about alternative settings with their children early.
Download these documents to learn more.
Future Planning
Understanding Guardianship
An important part of future planning for individuals with IDD is understanding guardianship. LEARN MORE…
Future Planning Webinar
There is so much for families to consider as we age. Who will care for our family member when we are no longer able to? These resources will help to get you started on planning for these important decisions.
Download these documents to learn more.
Important Resources
Care Management Helps
Have more questions? The Care Management Helps document series may have the answers you need.
Transition Planning
Important factors to consider when transitioning from the education system to adult services.
Transitioning from School to Adult Life
Transitioning from school to adult life can lead to may things such as continuing education, employment, or taking part in meaningful activities. LEARN MORE…
Transition Planning Webinar
For many families, the transition from the education system to the world of adult services is often intimidating and overwhelming. Staring the planning process by age 14 is critical, but there are other important factors to consider.
Download these documents to learn more.
Transition Planning for Parents| Spanish
Socialization
Helping Self Advocates make the best of social connections.
Socializing Safely in a Post Pandemic World
This post how explains to safely resume the many aspects of becoming involved in community gatherings while feeling comfortable with ongoing COVID protocols. LEARN MORE…
Socializing Safely Round Table Discussion
For many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, navigating social relationships can be challenging. We work with our self-advocates to explore these issues and connect them with the tools that can help.
Download these documents to learn more.
Benefits
Understanding the complex process of accessing benefits can be overwhelming.
Disability Benefits as We Age
Navigating the complex process of accessing Social Security benefits can often be daunting for parents and their family members with disabilities. This is even more important as we age. LEARN MORE…
Applying for SSI After Age 18
Understanding the complex process of accessing benefits and entitlements can often be overwhelming for our members and their families. These tools and resources have been developed to help.
Download these documents to learn more.
Aging & Dementia
A webinar presented by The Kennedy Willis Center on the prevalence of dementia in adults with IDD.
Aging & Dementia in Adults with IDD
One of the most serious and life-changing concerns that individuals with Down syndrome face as they grow older is the increased risk of developing dementia. LEARN MORE…
Aging & Dementia in Adults with IDD
This infographic provides facts about Down Syndrome that you may not be aware of.
Download these documents to learn more.