The Office for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) helps people with developmental disabilities and their families in receiving needed services.

It is the mission of the Office for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities to help people with developmental disabilities and their families in receiving access to high-quality services and supports that are tailored to meet the individual requirements of each person served.

A primary goal of OPWDD is to provide services and supports in settings that are suitable for each individual’s requirements. OPWDD has a special emphasis on supports that encourage inclusion and integration, as well as full access to the broader community, for all people with developmental disabilities.

Services

The following are some of the services available from the Office for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD):

Employment

If you want to work in the community but need assistance in acquiring new skills or on-the-job training, the Office of Public Works and Development (OPWDD) offers a variety of employment programs that may be able to fulfill your requirements. Supported Employment Services (SEMP) works with individuals seeking employment opportunities.

Day Services

Employment is not the right option for everyone, so for those who do not want to work but want to become more independent and participate more fully in their society, the Office for People with Disabilities (OPWDD) offers day programs and habilitation programs.

Housing

OPWDD can assist you in obtaining the necessary assistance to enable you to remain in your family home or in another house in your community on your own or with others, allowing you to be as self-sufficient as you possibly can.

Self-Direction

If you would prefer to select your own services, allowing you to live the life you desire, you can opt to self-direct your services. Self-direction services. will allow you to have greater freedom to pick the supports that are suitable for you, the staff members with whom you wish to collaborate, and the timetable that is most convenient for you.

Respite

Providers of respite services give short reprieve from the rigors of caregiving, which can aid in reducing overall family stress levels. Respite care can be offered in or out of the house, during the day, in the evenings, or over the course of an entire night.

Assistive technology

Helping you live more independently and safely at home and in the community is the goal of assistive technology. This can include assistive communication devices and equipment for augmentative communication, adaptive devices for the disabled, and adaptations to automobiles.

Environmental modifications

Environmental modifications (E-Mods) are physical changes that may be made to a home to improve or preserve your capacity to live independently at home. Ramps, elevators, hand railings, and restroom changes are examples of environmental alterations that can be made (such as roll-in showers).

E-Mods can also include modifications to the home that address your sensory deficits, such as Braille identification systems and strobe light smoke detectors and alarm devices, as well as modifications that promote a safer environment for people with challenging behaviors, such as window protection, wall reinforcement, open-door signal devices, and durable wall finishes, among other things.

Crisis prevention and response

People who have developmental impairments and complex behavioral requirements, as well as their families and those who give assistance, can benefit from Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD), which provides crisis preventive and response services. Services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

In addition, the OPWDD provides programs to assist with independent and community life, as well as family support services.

Applying to The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

AC Cares is ready to assist you through the application process to begin reaping the benefits and services of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). AC Cares is here to guide you with support, information, and a clear path toward execution through the steps in the application process. We will first determine your eligibility, then evaluate your needs, and finally, help you to learn about the myriad of services available, and navigate the maze to identify those services which will most improve and impact your family positively.

Determination of Eligibility

The eligibility review process is to determine if you or your child have a developmental disability and are eligible for OPWDD services. There are 3 steps through the review process, and the experienced staff at AC Cares is here to help to ensure that your application is complete and handled in a timely and positive fashion. There are several documents necessary for the application process, including:

A psychological evaluation report including an intellectual assessment including an IQ score
Medical or specialty reports for conditions other than intellectual disabilities
A psychosocial evaluation report or other documentation showing that the disability occured before age 22

Finally, the diagnostic examination is the single most important factor in deciding eligibility for the program. In order to assess the extent and significance of your developmental problem, a diagnostic evaluation is performed. The diagnostic evaluation will be conducted by an eligible assessment provider.

Evaluate your needs

Once your eligibility for OPWDD services has been verified, you will be able to begin the process of being assessed. During the evaluation, you will learn about your present strengths and needs, as well as about any natural or community resources you may have or be able to access. This information is needed to prepare for the services you will require as well as to construct your person-centered plan for treatment and recovery.

Learn about services

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is devoted to delivering a wide selection of support and service choices to satisfy your needs. Supports and services provided by the OPWDD include:

Assistance in maintaining independent living in the community through rent subsidies, community habilitation, and other services
Services to assist your family in supporting you in the family home, such as respite care and family support programs.
Assistance with job training and support, volunteer opportunities, and other forms of community activities that you select, as well as financial assistance

In order to assist you in obtaining the supports and services that best meet your needs, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is devoted to assisting you in obtaining the supports and services that best meet your needs.

Services

Applying to The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

If you are looking for more information, please fill out the form below