Refine your Testimony- June 4th edition

The OPWDD Strategic Forums are now scheduled for June and July. Our messages must be brief and clear. During the formal Strategic Forum meetings, we get only 3 minutes to talk.

The focus in this C4SD training session is NOT what to advocate for-- though we do have plenty of ideas about that. Instead, our objective is to help you craft a message that penetrates to the minds and the hearts of policy-makers.

Pre-registration required for the C4SD training session. Use this link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pxIP-PDaRO-QtKfm6VnMSw

And, pre-registration is also required for the OPWDD Strategic Forums.
opwdd.ny.gov/strategic-planning

Join us for a free-wheeling hour of community conversation.
Get your SD questions answered. Contribute your expertise. Suggest goals for C4SD and for the system as a whole.
Pre-register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IWuz1E88RZS2LfnweJ1L1A

Sign up here to register for our Evening April Office Hours!
This special office hours will be a chance for you to record your Self-Direction challenges and the wonderful outcomes you have achieved, for later viewing by OPWDD staff.
We have noticed that many of the people involved in policy-making are not familiar with the challenges faced by people in Self-Direction— and have not heard about the good lives that result from SD. This is an opportunity to correct that.

When: Apr 29, 2026 7 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/p4FQ3eYHSKmH0N9wtpuWMg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sign up here to register for our Mid-day April Office Hours!
This special office hours will be a chance for you to record your Self-Direction challenges and the wonderful outcomes you have achieved, for later viewing by OPWDD staff.
We have noticed that many of the people involved in policy-making are not familiar with the challenges faced by people in Self-Direction— and have not heard about the good lives that result from SD. This is an opportunity to correct that.

When: Apr 22, 2026 NOON Eastern Time (US and Canada)
(Our apologies, it mistakenly said 7 PM. We will have one at 7 PM on the 29th!)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hlJwOMKKQvie8UH1CiuHlA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sign up here to register for our March Office Hours!

When: Mar 25, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NFC8Sq-pSPOZmarhosebZQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Feb 25, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MHd79d6dSwOrMo3R1Pwisg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Our 2026 Live C4SD Office Hours Series kicks off on Wednesday January 28th at noon, and we’d love to have you join us for another round of these great Q&A’s!

Past attendees have come away with some great strategies to help open up all the possibilities that self-direction brings, from setting up your Life Plan for community class success to lesser known ways to maximize your self-direction budget.

Don’t Miss Your Next Chance To Get Your Self-Direction Questions Answered!

Some of the most knowledgeable and experienced Self-Direction advocates will be on the Zoom to help you find solutions to your most challenging Self-Direction questions and concerns.

And even if you don’t have a question now, this promises to be a great opportunity to learn from our team of experts, and to connect with an incredible community of Self-Direction families, all working together to help you navigate this complex system of care.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dSyQirC8SbCNLfWCPpGtCw#/registration

More Details to come.

More Details to come.

We’ve decided to schedule our next virtual C4SD Office Hours for December 3rd at Noon. You can click here or below to register!

This promises to be another great opportunity to learn from our team of experts, and to connect with an incredible community of self-direction families, all working together to improve and to help one another navigate this very complex system of care.

In the meantime, you’ll find many helpful answers to questions we’ve discussed during past C4SD Office Hours on our Office Hours FAQ Web Page.

And if you haven’t already, you should join the Coalition 4 Self Direction (C4SD) Facebook Group. There you’ll find great info, C4SD updates, and a chance to connect with an amazing group of knowledgeable and personable self-advocates and family members, all discussing how to make the most of Self-Direction!

The CAS and CANS-NY assessments are intended to improve service delivery and care planning for people receiving OPWDD services. But are they truly meeting that goal?

This Town Hall will be a conversation about the concerns of family members, providers, self-advocates, and OPWDD. Your participation is critical to ensure these assessments reflect the real needs of our community.

Register Here to Get Your Zoom Link

(If you’ve registered but haven’t received the link, please re-register.)

The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan are pleased to present the Special Education School Fair! Representatives from preschools through high schools and resource organizations serving the New York City special needs community will be on site to provide information and answers to your questions about the application process, class profiles, tuition costs, and more. School materials will be available. Registration required.

For more info + to register, visit mmjccm.org.

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

More Details to come.

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

Wednesday, October 22nd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a screening of short films that share his story about independent life using self direction. We will also be sharing some other success stories about other SNACK 21+ friends.

Enjoy a warm and welcoming evening with appetizers, wine, beer, soft drinks, home made desserts, and great company, as we come together to support and celebrate creativity and achievements.

To RSVP, Please email oriana@snacknyc.com

A donation is not required but greatly appreciated. Click the link below to donate.

Donate here: https://www.snacknyc.com/donate

Get your Self-Direction questions answered at the C4SD Office Hours.
Due to the enthusiastic response from our attendees, we will be hosting one every 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the month for the rest of the year!

Or, sometimes the 4th Wednesday, like this month

For our October Office Hours: Registration link

Are you looking to access supports through OPWDD but unsure how to get started with the Family Support Services (FSS) reimbursement process?
Join us for a step-by-step workshop designed to help families and professionals understand how to complete the FSS application and access essential services.

 What You’ll Learn:
- How to complete the OPWDD FSS Reimbursement Application
- How to obtain services such as respite care, recreation, and vacation respite
- What kinds of expenses can be reimbursed — up to $3,000 per year
- How FSS differs from Self-Direction and Medicaid Waiver services
- Tips for families who are awaiting waiver approval

About FSS:
Family Support Services through OPWDD offer reimbursement for goods and services not typically covered by the Self-Direction budget. These supports are especially helpful for families caring for a loved one with developmental disabilities, including those who are still waiting for Medicaid waiver approval. The FSS process is separate from other OPWDD services and is managed by individual agencies, which can make it challenging to navigate—this workshop will help simplify it.

Featured Speakers:
Pearl Rubin, Director Of Family Support Services, Ohel Family Services
Sharon Hanover -  Director, Adler Center For Special Needs, Mid-Island JCC

Click here to learn more

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) will be hosting CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Sessions this fall for individuals and families. These sessions will provide valuable updates and answer questions about the assessment process.

Based on feedback from previous discussions, OPWDD has expanded the schedule to include additional in-person sessions across the state, as well as two statewide webinars. Each person wishing to attend must submit a separate request form. Due to limited seating at in-person locations, attendance is confirmed by email once requests are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are encouraged to join one of the webinars instead—both formats will share the same information.

Registration is required. Please use this link to request attendance:

CAS and CANS-NY Assessment Informational Session Registration

Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6. More details to come.

Get your Self-Direction questions answered at the C4SD Office Hours.
Due to the enthusiastic response from our attendees, we will be hosting one every 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the month for the rest of the year!

For our September Office Hours  Click Here To Register Now! 

The meeting will be held in person in Albany at the Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 1.

You may also join at one of our OPWDD Regional Office Locations listed below. When you arrive, please sign-in at the security desk:  

• Buffalo: 1021 Broadway, Room 433, Buffalo, NY 14212

• NYC: 25 Beaver St. OPWDD, 3rd Floor, Room 3K11, New York, NY 10004, Please bring state issued photo ID and sign-in at the security desk

• Long Island: 415A Oser Ave. Hauppauge, NY 11788

• Syracuse: Syracuse: 187 Northern Concourse, Syracuse, NY 13212 | Classroom 2

The Family Support Services (FSS) Committee Meeting has transitioned to a new webcasting platform.

• To view the live meeting, please visit: http://totalwebcasting.com/live/nysopwdd

• To participate in public comment, you may either attend the meeting in person or sign up to participate virtually on Total Webcasting. Those who sign up for virtual public comment will receive an email with instructions on how to join the meeting and provide their comments virtually on the morning of September 8.