named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Club ISS
Free Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) facilitated by ISS staff that connect participants around common interests to promote skill-building, peer learning, and social engagement.
Family Liaison Program
Supports families and circles of support in navigating Self-Direction, overcoming barriers, and accessing opportunities for community integration and personal growth.
Self-Direction Program
Enables individuals with developmental disabilities to customize their support services, including staffing, housing, and daily activities, through individualized budgets and planning with brokers and coordinators.
Staff Support Liaison
Provides direct assistance to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the field, enhancing service delivery and staff retention through on-the-ground support.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Consumer-Directed Personal Care Administration 1 activity
- Acts as fiscal intermediary and employer of record in the Self-Direction modelProvides fiscal management services including verifying, processing, and reconciling participant expenses such as mileage and incidentals; ensures accurate and timely payment of employee salaries with proper tax withholdings. Also serves as employer of record for self-hired staff, supporting recruitment and compliance with employment laws.
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Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Facilitates Shared Interest Groups through Club ISS programOperates a free program called Club ISS that organizes Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) to foster skill-building, collaboration, peer connections, and knowledge expansion among participants. These structured groups support personal growth and community integration around common interests.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Hosts Outstanding DSP Awards programRecognizes Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who have made significant, positive impacts on participants or families during challenging times. The awards program celebrates excellence and dedication within the direct support workforce.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces and distributes newsletters and communication materialsCreates and shares regular publications including DSP Digest and "The Pulse: The Heart of Self-Direction in Every Beat" newsletter, along with brochures, press releases, and digital content. These communications serve Brokers and stakeholders by sharing best practices, organizational updates, and promoting self-direction principles.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produces and screens documentary film on Self-DirectionCreated the documentary "Self-Direction – Make Your Own Path" to document 18 years of experience supporting self-directing individuals and families, and screened it at public events including the Big Eddy Film Festival and Black Bear Film Festival in 2022.
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Self-Directed Disability Support Services 1 activity
- Provides home and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOffers personalized support services to individuals with developmental disabilities through the Self-Direction model, enabling them to exercise control over their lives. Services are delivered via Self-Direction Coordinators and Brokers who assist participants in navigating procedural complexities and achieving independent, fulfilling lives.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducts research on sustainability of Self-Direction modelsPartners with academic institutions such as the University of Minnesota to study long-term sustainability of Self-Direction, particularly as support networks age. This research contributes to understanding and improving self-directed care systems.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$126.96M
Contributions & grants$3100%
Program service revenue$126.65M100%
Investment income$188K0%
Other revenue$119K
expenses
Total expenses$123.97M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$89.17M
Grants paid out$29.60M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$34.34M
Cash$10.85M
Investments$0
Liabilities$10.70M
Net assets$23.65M
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +11.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAN KULCHINSKY | EXECUTIVE DI | 35 | $294K |
| LAURIE CIRILLO | ASST. EXEC-D | 35 | $195K |
| SHERYL LIVINGSTON | ASST. EXEC-D | 35 | $180K |
| MARK FEDUN | CONTROLLER | 35 | $152K |
board members · 6
- DR MARVIN SHABUS — PRESIDENT/TR
- FOUAD KERENDIAN — DIRECTOR
- JAY ANTHONY — DIRECTOR
- KAREN KERENDIAN — DIRECTOR
- MATT LENNON — VICE PRESIDE
- SHELLY KLEIN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- NY Self Determination Coalition Network — Partner organization providing information about self-determination in New York.
- Sustainability Project for Self-Direction Partner — Collaborates on initiatives related to the sustainability of self-direction programs.
- UKG Partner — IT department provides support for UKG (formerly Ultipro or Harmonix) system used by employees.
- University of Minnesota Partner — Collaborated on a research project about the sustainability of Self-Direction when support networks are aging.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Family Navigation Support for System Accessmethodology: family_navigation_supportBy employing Family Liaisons to guide individuals and families through complex service systems, we improve access to supports and community integration because expert navigation reduces barriers, increases understanding, and enables earlier and more effective engagement.
- Person-Centered Storytelling to Reinforce Empowermentmethodology: person-centered_storytellingBy sharing lived experiences through documentary film and narrative formats, we strengthen a person-centered culture among participants, families, and staff because authentic storytelling builds empathy, validates individual agency, and models successful self-direction.
- Self-Direction Model for Personalized Supportmethodology: self_directionBy empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to make personalized decisions about their support services and daily activities, we produce greater autonomy, engagement, and meaningful life outcomes because control over one’s own supports fosters dignity, self-efficacy, and tailored service utilization.