named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
Benefits Advisement for the Visually Impaired
Offers one-on-one counseling to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired access public benefits and community resources.
Community Health Advocates (CHA)
Provides one-stop assistance to help consumers navigate public or private health coverage, access low-cost or free care, resolve billing issues, and understand their healthcare rights.
Employment
Offers job readiness training and connects individuals with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation and employment resources.
Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN)
Empowers individuals to advocate for themselves in accessing services and asserting their rights.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)
Advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, helping with managed long-term care cases and rights protection.
NY Connects
Statewide program that connects older adults and people with disabilities to long-term services and supports.
Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
Assists individuals in enrolling in food assistance programs such as SNAP, school breakfast, and summer meals.
Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS)
Provides housing subsidies to support community living for people with disabilities, in compliance with the Olmstead decision.
Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP)
Helps individuals transition from institutional settings to community-based housing with wraparound support services.
Youth Services
Supports high school and college students with disabilities in transitioning to adult life through education and career planning.
activities · 14 groups
What they do
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 3 activities
- Advocacy and systems change for disability rightsEngages in individual and systems-level advocacy to reduce societal barriers affecting people with disabilities, including education and empowerment support for long-term care residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Independent living skills and self-advocacy trainingProvides independent living skills training focused on understanding benefits, legal rights, and self-advocacy to promote autonomy and community integration.
- Research and policy analysis on disability issuesProduces reports, issue briefs, and policy analyses on disability-related topics to inform advocacy and public understanding.
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Public Benefits Navigation and Enrollment 2 activities
- Benefits counseling and public benefits navigationProvides comprehensive benefit screening, application assistance, and system navigation support for public benefits including SNAP, SSI, SSDI, housing subsidies, and health care; offers one-on-one guidance through dedicated benefits counselors to support independence.
- Nutrition program enrollment assistanceAssists individuals with disabilities in applying for and enrolling in nutrition programs such as SNAP, school breakfast, and summer meals programs.
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Professional Ethics & Dispute Resolution 1 activity
- Complaint investigation and response processProvides a formal process for consumers to file complaints about services or proposed plans of action, investigates written complaints, and provides a written response within 30 days.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Employment services and job readiness trainingOffers job readiness training and connects individuals with disabilities to employment opportunities, vocational rehabilitation resources, and skills development programs.
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Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance 1 activity
- Healthcare access and insurance navigationProvides individual assistance, outreach, and education to help individuals with disabilities navigate the healthcare system, access health coverage (including Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance), resolve billing issues, and understand healthcare forms and rights.
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Housing support and fair housing rights educationAssists individuals with disabilities in accessing housing and housing subsidies, understanding their rights under the Fair Housing Act, and navigating housing systems.
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Vision Rehabilitation Services 1 activity
- Individualized support for blind and visually impaired individualsProvides individualized support to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to navigate public benefits and community resources.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Information and referral servicesProvides information and referrals to help people with disabilities access community resources and live independently.
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Long-Term Care Advocacy & Provider Support 1 activity
- Long-term care ombudsman servicesOperates long-term care ombudsman services to advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including case management and complaint resolution.
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Text Messaging Communication Services 1 activity
- Outreach and communication with service usersSends updates on services, program eligibility alerts, appointment reminders, and organizational announcements to individuals who provide their phone number.
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Comprehensive Care Management Services 1 activity
- Support for transitioning to community-based livingSupports individuals with disabilities in avoiding institutionalization or transitioning from institutions to community-based living environments.
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Foster Youth Transition Support 1 activity
- Transition support for students with disabilitiesProvides transition planning and support for high school and college students with disabilities preparing for adulthood and independent living.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Transportation access supportHelps individuals with disabilities apply for and understand available transportation options to improve mobility and access to services.
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Website Accessibility Implementation 1 activity
- Web accessibility and multilingual website accessImplements the Recite Me web accessibility and language toolbar to provide website content translation into over 100 languages and improve digital access for users with disabilities and language barriers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.85M
Contributions & grants$9.84M83%
Program service revenue$1.92M16%
Investment income$95K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$11.74M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$9.67M
Grants paid out$29K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$11.62M
Cash$2.10M
Investments$0
Liabilities$6.44M
Net assets$5.18M
Liquid reserves2.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +14.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON MCLENNON WIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $350K |
| PAULA GOOLCHARAN | DIRECTOR OF LTCOP | 35 | $128K |
| ARTHUR SCHWARTZ | ASSOC GENERAL COUNSEL | 35 | $120K |
board members · 13
- ALEXANDRA DAY — DIRECTOR
- BERNARD CARABELLO — DIRECTOR
- DAVID HEARD — DIRECTOR
- DOUG SCHREIBER — DIRECTOR
- DUSTIN JONES — DIRECTOR
- ETHAN H ADDES ESQ — SECRETARY
- FREDDA ROSEN — DIRECTOR
- JOHN O'NEILL PHD CRC — VICE PRESIDENT
- MARTIN EICHEL — TREASURER
- MARY ELLEN HOWE — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL W O'DELL MD — DIRECTOR
- SUNITA DUTTA ESQ — PRESIDENT
- YULIA STESHENKO CFP — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- ACCES-VR Government — External agency to which consumers may direct complaints regarding services.
- ARISE (Action for Reform in Special Education) Coalition Partner — Coalition partner working on reform in special education
- BILS Partner — Shares office space or collaborates with BILS at the Bronx location.
- CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE DISABLED IN NEW YORK INC Network — Community Health Advocates program is operated by CIDNY
- Coalition to Protect the Rights of New York’s Dually Eligible Partner — Partner in advocacy for dually eligible individuals' rights
- Commission on the Public Health System Partner — Collaborates on public health system issues
- Communities Together for Health Equity Partner — Partner in advancing health equity
- Disability Rights New York Partner — External advocacy organization to which consumers may direct complaints regarding services.
- Dual Eligible Individuals State Advocates Workgroup Partner — State-level workgroup partner focused on dual eligibles
- Empire State Economic Security Campaign Partner — Partner in economic security advocacy efforts
- Health Care For All New York Partner — Advocacy coalition partner for universal health care in New York
- Health Law Task Force Partner — Collaborates on health law and policy initiatives
- Hunger Action Network of New York State Partner — Partner in addressing hunger and food insecurity in New York State
- Inclusive Communication Services Partner — Partner providing inclusive communication services, including ASL
- Long Term Care Community Coalition Partner — Coalition partner advocating for long-term care reform
- Medicaid Matters New York Partner — Partner focused on Medicaid policy and access in New York
- Medicare Savings Program Coalition Partner — Coalition partner working to expand Medicare savings programs
- Metro NY Health Care for All Campaign Partner — Regional campaign partner advocating for universal health care access
- NY Connects Partner — Collaborates with NY Connects to connect individuals with disabilities to long-term support services and resources.
- NY Connects Partner — Referral partner for benefits counseling and support services
- NY Pass the Child Victims Act Partner — Advocacy partner supporting passage of the Child Victims Act
- NYC Food Stamp Task Force Partner — Task force partner working to improve access to food stamps in NYC
- National Cancer Legal Services Network Partner — National network partner providing legal support for cancer patients
- National Council on Independent Living Network — Member of national network advancing independent living
- New York Association for Independent Living Network — Statewide network member promoting independent living services
- New York Immigrant Coalition Partner — Partner advocating for immigrant rights and access to services
- New York State Education Department Government — External office to which consumers may direct complaints regarding services.
- New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage Partner — Partner initiative focused on accessible health coverage
- Not specified Partner — Works with individuals across all five boroughs of New York City
- People’s Budget Coalition Partner — Coalition partner advocating for equitable public budgeting
+ 4 more
strategies · 2
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.
- Integrated Support Services Modelmethodology: integrated_support_servicesBy providing coordinated services across health, housing, employment, and advocacy, the organization increases independence because addressing multiple interconnected needs holistically removes systemic barriers to full participation.
- Self-Determination Through Lived Experiencemethodology: self-determinationBy employing people with disabilities in professional roles, services are shaped by lived experience, ensuring authenticity and effectiveness, because self-determination leads to more relevant, trusted, and empowering support.