Self-Directed Support Model

Operates an applied clinical research program focused on evidence-based practices for individuals with profound autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, utilizing ABA principles to improve communication, food selectivity, and behavior regulation. The program is staffed by a Director of Applied Research, five PhD-level clinicians, and over 10 Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

Delivers outpatient behavioral health services including individual and group counseling, psychiatric care, play therapy, and peer support for children, adolescents, and adults. Operates 24/7 mobile crisis teams (STAR Mobile Crisis and Behavioral Health Navigator) providing crisis assessment and intervention across multiple counties, along with a Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center.

Provides comprehensive Early Intervention services for infants and young children (birth to age 3) with developmental delays, including multidisciplinary evaluations, service coordination, and individualized treatment plans. Also offers early childhood education and licensed daycare programs for children ages 3 to 5 in Utica, Rome, and Westmoreland, integrating therapeutic supports such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

Provides inclusive special education services through six New Discoveries Learning Centers and the TradeWinds Education Center, a state-approved private school for children ages 3 to 22 with severe behavioral and developmental disabilities. Serves 573 students across multiple locations with individualized programs, therapy services, and family-informed care.

Provides family peer advocacy services to help families navigate special education and mental health systems, including rights education and support during planning meetings. Also delivers personalized care management and behavioral health navigation to coordinate medical, mental health, housing, food, and public benefits services.

Provides in-home respite services delivered by specially trained staff to support caregivers of individuals requiring supervision. Also offers self-direction services that allow individuals to manage their own service plans and budgets, including housing choices and personal care.

Operates 24 Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs) and other certified (ICF) and non-certified residential settings across Central New York, providing individualized support to promote independence, life skills development, community involvement, and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each residence serves 4 to 12 individuals in Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, and Lewis Counties.

Provides substance use disorder services for adults using a harm reduction model, including counseling, therapy, care navigation, and peer support from specialists with lived recovery experience.

Offers structured daily living support including personal care, grooming, cooking, household management, and community engagement to build independence. Provides specialized programming such as the Pieces of HeART initiative for artistic expression, The Image Center for social and organizational skill development, and one-on-one mentoring for youth focused on social and mental health growth.

Offers pre-employment transition services, vocational assessment, job training, resume writing, interview preparation, and ongoing job supports for individuals with disabilities aged 14 to 23. Supports hundreds of active job placements and internships through the Upstate Employment Associate program and provides on-site and community-based vocational experiences within educational programs.

Provides one-to-one and group community habilitation services to individuals with developmental disabilities to develop skills for independent living, including travel training, money management, activities of daily living, social and leisure skills, community inclusion, and self-advocacy. These services are delivered in-home or in the community and are approved under OPWDD's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.

Provides in-home, one-to-one respite care for individuals with developmental disabilities to support family caregivers by offering temporary relief while ensuring continuity of care.

Provides comprehensive administrative and support services for individuals utilizing Self-Directed Services under OPWDD, including development and management of personalized plans and budgets, recruitment and management of self-hired staff, background checks, payroll, Medicaid and state billing, expenditure tracking, and person-centered planning updates.

Offers career exploration, job development, resume building, interview preparation, and soft skills training to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities obtain competitively paid jobs in the community. Includes on-site job coaching and support for securing reasonable accommodations in employment settings.

Provides day habilitation services to individuals, serving 176 participants in 2022-2023 and 182 in 2020-2021.

Provides fiscal intermediary services to individuals enrolled in the self-direction program, serving 383 to 406 individuals between 2023 and 2024-2025.

Provides residential services to individuals, serving between 330 and 365 individuals annually from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025.

Acquires, mortgages, and leases real property and equipment to nonprofit organizations that provide rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.