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| Sep 16, 2026 | It’s National Disability Voting Rights Week: Make Your Plan to Vo... | This National Disability Voting Rights Week, make sure you have the information you need to exercise your right to vote!
The most important message during National Disability Voting Rights Week is that your vote counts. Every voter needs a ... |
| Aug 18, 2026 | It's Almost Time! The Great New York State Fair Opens August 26th... | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Get Ready, Everyone! August is here, and that means the spectacular Great New York State Fair is just around the corner. We hope you’ll join us in Syracuse from Wednesday, August 26th, through September 7th, for... |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Get Offline, Get Outside: Governor Hochul Invites New Yorkers to Experience the Outdoors at 2026 ‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ Celebrations on Saturday, June 13 | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” celebrations. Events will be held on Saturday, June 13 at more than 20 locations across New York State as part of the Governor's initiative to “Get Offli... |
| Jun 11, 2026 | 'Get Outdoors & Get Together Day' Celebrations on June 13 | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” celebrations. Events will be held on Saturday, June 13 at more than 20 locations across New York State as part of the Governor's initiative to “Get Offli... |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Governor Hochul Announces 30 Awards Statewide Totaling $25 Million to Expand Health Clinics and Improve Access to Healthcare Services for People With Developmental Disabilities | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 30 awards with a $25 million investment to help address health equity for people with developmental disabilities who often find it difficult to find comprehensive healthcare that meets their needs. This... |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Autism Acceptance Month & Neurodiversity Acceptance Month | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This year’s kick-off of both Autism Acceptance Month and Neurodiversity Acceptance Month is an extra special one for us at OPWDD! Today I joined self-advocate, Autism Spectrum Advisory Board member, and OPWDD Pe... |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Honoring People’s Autonomy Through Supported Decision-Making | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I was honored to join AIM Services in Saratoga to celebrate the official launch of facilitated Supported Decision-Making in New York State. At its core, Supported Decision-Making honors people’s ability to contr... |
| Mar 6, 2026 | REMINDER: Statewide Family Support Services (FSS) Public Meeting... | The next public meeting of the Statewide Family Support Services Committee will be held Wednesday, March 11, from 11 AM until 3 PM. You can join the meeting in person at the following locations:
Albany: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 7
Bu... |
| Jan 30, 2026 | OPWDD Releases Updated Data on Developmental Disabilities Service... | Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As part of my commitment to enhancing the agency’s transparency and being more responsive to stakeholder feedback, I am excited to share updated, interactive, Medicaid data dashboards as part of this year’s annu... |
| Oct 27, 2025 | Aaron’s Successful Journey Through Pathway to Employment | Aaron, a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of Akwesasne, has built a meaningful career through dedication and support. While he had previously worked in competitive employment on the reservation, the placement was not the right fit. With... |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Learn More About OPWDD’s Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) and... | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
OPWDD is pleased to invite people and families to attend one of our upcoming information sessions on OPWDD’s Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS-NY) assessm... |
| Jun 12, 2025 | People First News, June 2025 | Willow Baer was officially confirmed as Commissioner of OPWDD after a full vote of the New York Senate on May 21 after being nominated for the position by Governor Kathy Hochul. If you missed the Commissioner's message after her confirmatio... |
| Jun 6, 2025 | “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” Set for Saturday, June 14 | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York’s “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” celebrations will be held on Saturday, June 14 this year with events happening at more than 20 locations across New York State as part of the Govern... |
| May 2, 2025 | Governor Hochul Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Willowbr... | Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Willowbrook Consent Decree. Hosted by Governor Hochul’s Chief Disability Officer, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the College of Staten Island and the... |
| May 2, 2025 | The 50th Anniversary of the Willowbrook Consent Decree | Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Willowbrook Consent Decree. Hosted by Governor Hochul’s Chief Disability Officer, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the College of Staten Island and the... |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Care Coordination Program Evaluation Report Now Available | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am happy to share that the 800-page Care Coordination Program Evaluation report and Executive Summary is now available for review and can be found on OPWDD’s website, along with a plain language version, which... |
| Mar 3, 2025 | Dare for DDAM | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This year, for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), OPWDD is daring New Yorkers to celebrate inclusion throughout our communities.
In honor of DDAM, New York State will light its landmark ... |
| Jan 23, 2025 | OPWDD Announces $850 Million Dollar Investment in New York’s Deve... | The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities today announced the release of updated reimbursement rates for non-profit residential and day service providers licensed by the New York State Office for People With Devel... |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Empowering People with Disabilities Breaking Barriers and Building a More Inclusive World | Share
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People with disabilities contribute immensely to society, yet they often face barriers that hinder their full participation in various aspects of life. Organizations like the Office for People With Developmenta... |
| Jan 22, 2025 | Register Now – OPWDD Self-Direction Study Town Hall and Focus Gro... | The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is working with Guidehouse, a consulting firm with experience in national and state healthcare, developmental disabilities, and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), to look ... |
| Dec 4, 2024 | Coming Soon in 2025: Virtual Listening Sessions for Families on D... | The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) wants to hear from families of people with developmental disabilities about their experiences with the developmental disabilities service system in New York. That’s why we are pa... |
| Dec 3, 2024 | Self-Direction Survey Now Available: Your Feedback is Needed by J... | The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is working with Guidehouse, a consulting firm with experience in state healthcare and developmental disabilities services, to look at OPWDD’s self-direction policies and processe... |
| Oct 17, 2024 | Paul Christensen Finds Support and Inclusion at Savers Thrift Sto... | Paul Christensen works at Savers Thrift Store in Commack on Long Island where he has become a key contributor to his team. His determination and hard work – and his employer’s willingness to consider the accommodations he needs to succeed –... |
| Oct 3, 2024 | OPWDD Announces CMS Approval of its HCBS Waiver | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is pleased to announce that the 1915(c) Comprehensive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Renewal has been approved by the federal Center... |
| Sep 16, 2024 | It’s National Disability Voting Rights Week! Let’s Make A Plan to... | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is National Disability Voting Rights Week and it’s time for all of us to REV UP the Vote. What does REV UP mean? It stands for “Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!” Our goal this year, and every year, is... |
| Aug 30, 2024 | People First News, August 2024 | Launched during Disability Pride Month on the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Accessing Life is a new podcast led by people with lived experience with developmental disabilities. Chester Finn and BJ Stasio, both OPW... |
| May 31, 2024 | “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” is Saturday, June 8 | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” will be held on Saturday, June 8, with events at more than 20 select locations across New York State to bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgro... |
| May 17, 2024 | NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and Farming... | Partnership Offers Microcredentials Through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals for Current and Aspiring Direct Support Professionals at SUNY Campuses Statewide
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disa... |
| May 12, 2024 | Happy Mother's Day | Skip to main content
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On Mother's Day, OPWDD would like to recognize all the mothers and mother figures who love, care for and tirelessly advocate for the important people in their lives all year round. No matter what ... |
| Mar 20, 2024 | SPANISH TRANSLATION: LA GOBERNADORA HOCHUL ANUNCIA $32 MILLONES P... | La gobernadora Kathy Hochul anunció hoy una inversión de $32 millones para ampliar el programa de microcredenciales Direct Support Professional ofrecido por la Universidad Estatal de Nueva York (SUNY) en asociación con la Oficina para Perso... |
| Mar 20, 2024 | Comprehensive Statewide Workforce Recruitment Campaign Addresses ... | ALBANY, N.Y. – Nearly 200 nonprofit service-providing agencies statewide have joined forces with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to launch an extensive, statewide marketing effort to highlight the important rol... |
| Mar 4, 2024 | Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), and I urge all New Yorkers to focus this month on empowering people with developmental disabilities to pursue their goals.
This year’s Nationa... |
| Mar 4, 2024 | NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Launches Se... | March 4, 2024 –The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has launched a new series of videos designed to empower people with developmental disabilities and fight the societal stigmas that can stand in the ... |
| Feb 26, 2024 | NYSTART/CSIDD Flyer | New York Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment Resources and Treatment (NYSTART)/ Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD) offers crisis prevention and response services to people who have both... |
| Feb 26, 2024 | Grow Your Career at OPWDD Brochure | Learn more about a career at OPWDD by viewing our Grow Your Career at OPWDD Brochure in multiple languages.
To learn about career opportunities at OPWDD, visit our Careers page.
You just read: Grow Your Career at OPWDD Brochure
News Provide... |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Self-Direction Brochure | View the Self-Direction Brochure in multiple languages below.
For more information, view the Self-Direction page.
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New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Febru... |
| Feb 1, 2024 | Front Door Information Session Videos Now on OPWDD Website | The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce that new Front Door Information Session videos are now available for viewing on the OPWDD website.
The Front Door Information Session outlines the process of how a... |
| Jan 31, 2024 | REMINDER: Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Meeting is Tue... | The next public meeting of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board will be held in person at the Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 1 in Albany and virtually via WebEx on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 12 pm- 2 pm.
Meeting information i... |
| Jan 10, 2024 | Watch the Commissioner’s Medical Grand Rounds About Access to Hea... | Skip to main content
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I recently had the opportunity to join New York State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald, for the DOH Commissioner’s Medical Grand Rounds: An Int... |
| Jul 18, 2023 | In-Person & Virtual Forums on OPWDD's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This summer OPWDD has several stakeholder engagement opportunities underway to honor our commitment to work in partnership with you to move our system forward.
Today, I am inviting everyone to participate in an ... |
| Mar 7, 2023 | Coordinated Technical Assistance Effort to Build Statewide Direct | The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) today announced a new partnership with the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation to help reverse the impact of the workforce crisis on nonprofit service provide... |
| Feb 24, 2023 | Partnership Expands Certification for Support Professionals | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities has entered into a $5 million agreement with the State University of New York to expand a program that will enable direct suppor... |
| Dec 13, 2022 | OPWDD Releases Second Round of Support for Integrated Supportive... | OPWDD’s Integrated Supportive Housing (ISH) program supports the development of new community-based housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities who want to live with greater independence.
Today, OPWDD released its secon... |
| Dec 13, 2022 | FOFILLS Update: Public Comment Period extended through January 31... | OPWDD is pleased to announce the extension of the public comment period on the recently released draft Request for Applications for the OPWDD program: Funding Opportunity for Independent Living Letters of Support (FOFILLS).
On November 29, ... |
| Dec 13, 2022 | Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Pla... | In compliance with 42 CFR §441.301(6)(B)(iii), the New York State Department of Health (DOH), on behalf of New York State, is pleased to seek submission of comments on its Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Statewide Transi... |
| Oct 25, 2022 | Announcement of a new winter funding round for OPWDD Integrated S... | Due to the successful partnership between OPWDD and NYC Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) in the development of affordable housing for people receiving services through OPWDD’s Integrated Supportive Housing (ISH) program, Commissioner Neife... |
| Jun 16, 2022 | 2023-2027 Draft Strategic Plan In-Person Forums | Dear Colleagues,
I hope all of you are aware that on May 27, 2022, OPWDD released its 2023-2027 Draft Strategic Plan for review and comment.
Our first regional in-person forum will be held in Plattsburgh, NY on June 22, 2022.
I am excited t... |
| Jun 16, 2022 | OPWDD Partnership with Georgetown University | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities has entered a three-year, $10 million partnership with Georgetown University's National Center for Cultural Competence to advanc... |
| Jun 7, 2022 | Funding Housing for People with Developmental Disabilities | Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of an Integrated Supportive Housing Application available to qualifying service providers and housing developers. The 2022 funding opportunity, to be administered by the New York State Offic... |
| Jun 7, 2022 | Spanish Translation: La Gobernadora Hochul Anuncia $15 Millones E... | La Gobernadora Kathy Hochul anunció hoy el lanzamiento de una Solicitud de Vivienda de Apoyo Integrado disponible para proveedores de servicios y desarrolladores de viviendas que califiquen. La oportunidad de financiación del 2022, será adm... |
| May 27, 2022 | NYS OPWDD Announces Release of Five-Year Draft Strategic Plan | Albany, N.Y. – May 27, 2022 -- The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has released the agency’s 2023-2027 Draft Strategic Plan for public review and comment.
“This draft Strategic Plan represents a new ... |
| May 5, 2022 | Opportunity to Learn About OPWDD Self-Direction Efforts and Provi... | Upcoming Self-Direction Webinar- May 12, 2022
OPWDD is pleased to announce it will be holding a webinar on self-direction on Thursday, May 12, 2022. The presentation will provide a general overview of key actions that OPWDD has recently tak... |
| Apr 8, 2022 | April is Autism Acceptance Month | Dear Friends and Colleagues,
April is National Autism Awareness Month. For the last few years, many in the autism community have encouraged the broader population to move beyond awareness to acceptance and appreciation of autism. In my opin... |
