• AccessCNY
1603 Court St., Syracuse, NY 13208 • 315-455-7591
info@accesscny.org • www.accesscny.org
AccessCNY supports people with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries (ABI) and mental health issues, offering a broad array of services, programs and therapies for children, adults and seniors. Its website offers an easy-to-navigate program finder.
• Advocates Incorporated
290 Elwood Davis Road, Suite 101, Liverpool, NY 13088 • 315-469-9931
info@advocatesincorporated.org • www.advocatesincorporated.org
Advocates operates in 54 counties across New York, offering person-centered, self-directed services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its services include 1:1 mentoring, community habilitation, residential supports, and housing navigation services. Families also benefit from respite reimbursement, training opportunities, assistance with service access, and medical advocacy.
• The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter
Oneida County: 245 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13501 • 315-272-1500
Lewis County: 7550 S. State St., Lowville, NY, 13367 • 315-272-1500
arcpr@thearcolc.org • www.thearcolc.org
Founded in 1954, The Arc Oneida-Lewis is a premier provider of services for people with developmental disabilities. It provides a full spectrum of educational, vocational, employment, residential, family support, guardianship, respite, recreational rehabilitation, day habilitation, clinical, children, adult and senior services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is staffed by over 700 professionals and serves over 1,400 people throughout Oneida and Lewis counties. It offers a variety of rewarding careers, many with no previous experience needed.
• Arc of Onondaga
600 S. Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204 • 315-476-7441
Arc of Onondaga supports people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities in leading meaningful lives, as a part of their community. Programs and services include community residential, day habilitation, recreational, respite reimbursement, vocational opportunities through Employment Options, and clinical services through Horizons Clinic.
• Arc of Oswego County
7 Morrill Place, Fulton, NY 13069 • 315-598-3108
The Arc of Oswego County is a private, nonprofit organization for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Person-centered services for adults include senior day habilitation, community habilitation, and both recreational and site-based respite.
• Aurora of CNY
1065 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203 • 315-422-7263 • TTY/TDD: 315-422-9746 • VP (For the Deaf): 315-679-4168
auroracny@auroraofcny.org • Auroraofcny.org
This organization provides advocacy, support, and services to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing. These services are available to people of all ages in Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.
• Brain Injury Association of NYS
5 Pine West Plaza, Suite 506, Albany, NY 12205 • 518-459-7911 • Family Helpline: 1-800-446-6443
info@bianys.org • https://bianys.org
Visit the website to learn about the organization and its programs.
• Community Options, Inc.
216 W. Manlius St., E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-431-9859
Community Options, Inc., a nationally-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, offers those who have disabilities residential and day rehabilitation, group homes, health care, employment services and independent living options. Community Options develops residential and employment supports for people with severe disabilities, utilizing technology and training.
• David’s Refuge
1035 7th North St., Suite E
Liverpool, NY 13088
315-682-4204
David’s Refuge offers respite, resources and support to parents of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions. The year-round programming includes overnight respite, wellness programming and community events to ensure parents are reminded of the importance of self-care. Anyone interested can learn more or complete the online application on the website.
• Empowering People’s Independence (EPI)
6493 Ridings Road, Suite 115, Syracuse, NY 13206 • 315-477-9777
Empowering People’s Independence (EPI), previously Epilepsy-Pralid, provides comprehensive services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, epilepsy, and neurological and chronic health conditions. EPI’s offerings include self-direction, community habilitation, support groups, education, advocacy and respite. EPI also offers the only week-long overnight camp for children and young adults with epilepsy in New York state.
• Exceptional Family Resources / ARISE
635 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203 • 315-472-3171
contact@efr.org • https://efr.org • www.ariseinc.org
Exceptional Family Resources (EFR) and ARISE have merged to create a unified organization dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental and other disabilities, and partnering with their families. They provide community-based services, self-direction, accessibility supports, advocacy, and recreation programs. Their core services include self-directed services; community habilitation and support services; information and referral assistance; employment and vocational supports; inclusive recreation, adaptive design, ramps, accessibility services; and independent living advocacy.
• GiGi’s Playhouse
5885 E. Circle Drive, Suite 250, Cicero, NY 13039 (Inside Drivers Village, Green Entrance, 2nd floor) • 315-288-PLAY (7529)
syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org • https://gigisplayhouse.org/
GiGi’s Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, offering more than 25 free therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more. The organization offers the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program, through a partnership with Syracuse University and a speech and language pathologist. All programs are based on best-practices for Down syndrome learning styles and customized to ensure individual success. GiGi’s Playhouse serves infants through adults. Headquartered in Illinois, GiGi’s Playhouse currently has 62 locations throughout the United States and Mexico.
• La Liga – The Spanish Action League of Onondaga County
700 Oswego St., Syracuse, NY 13204 • 315-475-6153
Bi-Lingual 24/7 Hotline for Domestic & Sexual Violence Crisis & Support: 315-466-6608
Bi-Lingual 24/7 Hotline for Language Services: 315-466-6608
The agency offers a specialized health and wellness program for individuals and families with disabilities.
• LAUNCH CNY
Nettleton Commons, 313 E. Willow St., Suite 104 • Syracuse, NY 13203 • 315-432-0665
LAUNCH CNY empowers children, youth and adults with diverse abilities to reach their full potential through personalized services. This support for children includes educational consulting to ensure that the best education plan is in place for children with disabilities. Additionally, a summer program for teens with disabilities is available.
• Make-A-Wish Central New York
5005 Campuswood Drive, E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-475-9474
info@cny.wish.org • www.cny.wish.org
Make-A-Wish Central New York is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses throughout its 15-county coverage area, which includes Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. Part of a global wish-granting organization, the chapter was founded in 1985 and has granted nearly 2,500 wishes for children throughout the region.
• Multiple Sclerosis Resources of CNY, Inc.
6743 Kinne St. (P.O. Box 237), E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-438-4790
msrofcny@msrofcny.org • www.msrofcny.org
Founded in 1998, this organization provides local services to individuals with MS in CNY, Upstate and the Southern Tier areas of NY, to help them meet their daily needs. Services include transportation to neurology appointments, loan of durable medical equipment, educational programs, referrals, a lending library, scholarship grants for aqua therapy, local support groups, a newsletter, The “MS Chronicles,” published six times a year, and more.
• NY CONNECTS
Cayuga County: 160 Genesee St., Auburn, NY 13021 • 315-253-1226
Madison County: Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc., 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota, NY, 13032 • 315-697-5700
Onondaga County: Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services, John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 5th Floor, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-435-1400
Oswego County: 70 Bunner St., PO Box 3080, Oswego, NY 13126 • 315-349-8697
NY Connects provides one-stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance on long-term services and supports for people of all ages or with any type of disability. NY Connects is administered through a variety of community agencies and local departments of Social Services.
• Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
Front Door Services, 607-240-4900
https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-
Front Door staff will guide individuals through the steps involved in finding eligible services with OPWDD.
• Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long-Term Care Services / Adult Protective Services
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 5th Floor, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-435-2815
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a state-mandated service provided by every county with the goal of keeping vulnerable adults (persons 18 years of age and older) safely residing in the community. It involves intake, investigation, and assessment of referrals of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of qualifying vulnerable adults. APS workers develop services plans with eligible clients to remedy physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or to address unmet needs of adults that meet all New York State criteria, which are: have a mental or physical impairment; are at risk of harm, whether by their own or others’ actions, or have an unmet need; and have no one able and willing to responsibly assist.
• Onondaga County Health Department — Early Intervention Program
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 421 Montgomery St., 9th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-435-3230
https://onondaga.gov/health/
The Early Intervention Program is a family-centered program for infants and young children aged birth to 3, with developmental delays or who have a diagnosed condition with a high probability of developmental delay. To refer a child to the Early Intervention Program, call the Special Children Services intake coordinator at 315-435-3230.
• Onondaga County Health Department — Preschool Special Education Program
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 421 Montgomery St., 9th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-435-3230
https://onondaga.gov/health/
The Preschool Special Education Program provides appropriate public education for eligible preschool children aged 3-5 with special needs. Eligibility is determined by multi-disciplinary evaluations by their School District’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). Services are at no cost to parents, and may include speech therapy, physical or occupational therapy, and other specialized therapies as well as special education itinerant or classroom services. Those interested should contact their school district to make a referral for their child.
• Oswego County Health Department / Children with Special Needs Programs
315-349-3500
https://health.oswegocountyny.
The Oswego County Health Department offers multiple services for children from birth to age 21:
Preschool Special Education (Ages 3–5)
Provides services for children with disabilities or developmental delays affecting learning. The purpose is to maximize a child’s developmental and educational potential before kindergarten. Entry point: your local school district.
Early Intervention Program (Birth–Age 3)
Supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Services may include: developmental evaluations; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; teacher services; vision services; audiology; and service coordination. Services are provided in settings where children naturally live, learn, and play.
Child Find
Tracks and monitors children from birth to age three who may be at risk for developmental delays. Ensures children are screened and connected to services when needed.
Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (Ages 0–21)
Provides information, referrals, advocacy, and assistance for families navigating health and developmental services. Support may include: advocacy with health care providers; assistance in obtaining insurance; navigating the preschool special education process; and finding medical providers and community resources. There is no charge for any of these services.
• Oswego County Opportunities’ Developmental Disabilities Services
315-598-4717
IRAs – Individualized Residential Alternatives – Permanent housing for individuals with a developmental disability in a variety of residential settings including larger (8-9 bed homes) smaller (4-5 bed homes) and supervised and supportive apartments.
Non-Certified Shared Living Situations offers permanent housing for individuals with a developmental disability, with limited supports provided by the agency
Day Habilitation Services – Day programming for individuals with a developmental disability where they can learn about various establishments and activities in their community and how to access and participate when going into their community. OCO offers a group setting located in Fulton, NY or a 1:1 setting based on the needs of the individual.
Community Habilitation Services – Programming for individuals with a developmental disability offered in a 1:1 or small groups based out of the individual’s home where they learn a variety of daily living skills both in the home and in their community to increase their independence.
• Oswego Industries
7 Morrill Place, Fulton, NY 13069 • 315-598-3108
info@oswegoind.org • www.oswegoindustriesinc.org
For over 50 years, Oswego Industries has provided services and support for adults with disabilities while partnering with local businesses to deliver production and workforce solutions. Its mission is to be a partner in the development of comprehensive community services designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Person-centered services for adults include supported employment, day habilitation, and community habilitation for adults.
• Person to Person: Citizen Advocacy Office
7000 E. Genesee St., D Building, Fayetteville, NY 13066
Onondaga County: 315-315-836-7567
Cortland County: 315-480-6142
Oswego County: 315-529-3699
The mission of Person to Person: Citizen Advocacy (PPCA) is to reduce the risk of social isolation for adults with developmental disabilities. PPCA programs respond to these needs by fostering the growth of meaningful relationships rooted in community support and one-on-one connections. Matches are made between a protégé (a person with a developmental disability) and an advocate (community volunteer) in which both share their gifts, talents, and friendship. In addition, PPCA offers a variety of private events for its members throughout the year that range in size.
• Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, Inc./Syracuse Community Connections
401 South Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204 • 315-474-6823
info@swccsyr.org • https://smnfswcc.org
Syracuse Community Connections offers Mainstream, a respite program providing services to youth and young adults with developmental challenges, while promoting social, recreational and personal development opportunities.