Frequently Asked Questions

Candidates for Adult Day Services must be authorized for services by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waiver.

Depending on individual need, the program is either half day or full day between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.

Yes, schedules for Adult Day Services are based on individual need. People can attend half days and/or less than 5 days per week.

Yes, having a job does not mean someone can’t attend Adult Day Services. However, a person cannot work and receive Adult Day Services at the same time.

There is no cost for people who quality for the services.

Lunch is not provided. Participants are responsible for bringing lunch.

Our programs do include some clinical services including nursing and behavioral support and intervention when needed.

Yes.

Staffing ratios vary based on the needs of people in each Adult Day Services program. On average, we provide approximately one trained and qualified staff member for every three participants.

Participants in Community Based Day Services are out in the community daily and for large portions of the day. People who attend Neighborhood Centers also get out to the community frequently based on their needs and desires – some as often as 3 -4 times per week.

There is no cost to the consumer or their family. Services are paid for through ACCES-VR, OPWDD, OMH and school districts.

Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities is the government agency that exists to assure that people with disabilities have the support, training and opportunities they need to work in jobs integrated within their communities.

Eligibility is set by ACCES-VR, OPWDD, OMH, and school districts. In summary, eligibility requirements are as follows:

• You must have a medically diagnosed physical (including visual or hearing impairment, or traumatic brain injury), developmental, or emotional/psychiatric disability; substance abuse, learning disability. your condition(s) creates significant impediments to your ability to work;
• that there is a reasonable expectation that ACCES-VR services will enable you to work; and
• ACCES-VR services are required to enable you to become employed.

Staff will assist consumers with their transportation needs related to their employment. Abilities First does not provide transportation for participants in the School to Work program. Generally, transportation is available through their school district.

Primarily in Dutchess County but also throughout the Mid Hudson Valley. Participants must reside in Dutchess County.

As with most employment situations, wages are set by the employer and, therefore, vary.

In the Day Habilitation program the staffing ratio is 1 to 5; in the workshop it’s 1 to 20.

Typically 170 participants work on site each day.

Yes.

Currently, Arlington, Wappingers Falls, Rhinebeck, Poughkeepsie, Beacon, New Paltz, Red Hook, Hyde Park.

The student’s school district will typically provide transportation during school hours.

There is no cost to the student to attend the program.

The hiring process is just like hiring any type of employee with the addition of government-funded supports to help both the employer and the employee have a successful experience.

Yes. Employers receive a tax credit. Government funded on the job training and “work tryouts” whereby the employee’s salary is reimbursed to the employer for the first month, is also available.

Employees must be covered under the employer’s employment insurance. Abilities First staff (job coaches) is covered under Abilities First’s employment insurance.

Depending on the needs of the individual, IES will provide on the job training.

Once the individual is established in their individual employment position, the employer is responsible for supervision and will have long-term supports as needed from IES. For our Enclaves (IES page), job coaches work directly supervise employees in the Enclave.

Generally, no. Employment Services staff will assist individuals with their transportation needs related to their employment.

There is no application process. Please call for further information.

Must be authorized for services under New York State Office for People with Developmental
Disabilities (OPWDD). For some residential services, people must also be enrolled in the
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver.

Our goal is to provide residential and housing services that people want, including the location
and peers. We work with residential candidates and their families to find the best possible location and style of living to meet personal desires and needs.

All of our group residences have single bedrooms which people are encouraged to decorate and personalize according to their interests.

Referrals for residential services come through the NYS OPWDD Front Door, which is a process
administered by the state to determine priority needs for residential placement. Anyone seeking Integrated Supportive Housing may contact Abilities First directly.

At present all of our residential and housing opportunities are located in Dutchess County,
including Poughkeepsie, Lagrange, Rhinebeck, Millbrook and East Fishkill.

Our programs do include some clinical services including nursing and behavioral support and
intervention when needed. We also coordinate linkage to outside clinical resources in our
community, such as primary and specialty healthcare.

At Abilities First, we believe that a rich social life is essential to overall health and happiness.
We employ a person-driven services model that is unique to Abilities First. As part of this
model, we explore, document and match people in our programs on common interest. Then we
coordinate social opportunities that bring people together around common interests. Opportunities range widely from informal (e.g., card games, coffee clubs) to formal (holiday parties, picnics, sporting events). To ensure we get it right, we follow up with people after events and social opportunities to see how it went and how we can enhance next time.

This program is open to men and women, ages 18 and older, with a dual diagnosis of both an Intellectual or Developmental Disability AND a Substance Use Disorder.

Referrals are accepted from Medicaid Service Coordinators or other case managers, service providers, residential programs, Department of Corrections, hospitals and other treatment facilities. Family members can refer a loved one if they have access to the necessary documentation. Once a referral packet is received it is reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Team. If recommended by the Team, an appointment is scheduled for the admissions assessment. The prospective patient is seen by a substance abuse counselor and a nurse over the course of one to three sessions to determine whether the program will meet the patient’s needs. After reviewing the complete admissions assessment, the Multidisciplinary Team makes the admission decision.

No. We accept adults ages 18 and older.

While we do not provide transportation directly, arrangements can be made for Medicaid transportation to and from the program.

Patients should bring a bag lunch, and there is a refrigerator and microwave for warming up soup or leftovers, etc. In case of an emergency where a patient arrives without lunch, one will be provided for that day.

At this time we only accept straight Medicaid. We are in the process of negotiating contracts with several Managed Medicaid providers.

No.

The program consists of:

• group and individual counseling,
• educational groups,
• socialization and recreational activities,
• specialty groups such as art therapy, nursing educational groups, smoking cessation, life skills training and community-based activities,
• one outside 12-Step meeting per week.

The clinic is open Monday through Saturday, and the program day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Patients typically attend four to six days per week to start, but each patient is an individual and the schedule will be determined at the time of admission.

The program is two years long.

The clinic is certified by the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to provide outpatient rehabilitation services.

Patients may not smoke on the property or bring tobacco products into the clinic because of a law passed by the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

A Care Coordination Organization (also known as a CCO) is an organization/corporation that provides Care Coordination as its sole purpose. This service has taken the place of Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) that was offered by individual non-profit service providers. Now Care Coordination can only be offered by a state-authorized CCO that is owned by groups, or coalitions, of individual non-profit service providers.

There are two main differences between MSC and Care Coordination. First, MSC involved only the coordination of services for developmental disability, whereas Care Coordination also involves the coordination of medical and health services too. Second, MSCs were employees of non-profit service providers like Abilities First. Care Coordinators under the CCO model are employees of a CCO that also has a role in a Managed Care system.

LIFEPlan CCO is the Care Coordination Organization with which Abilities First has chosen to align. This means that all MSC services under Abilities First were transferred to LIFEPlan CCO as Care Coordination. LIFEPlan CCO spans all of New York State except for Western New York and New York City and provides Care Coordination to approximately 18,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Care Coordinators are charged with the responsibility to coordinate services, supports and medical health services that are in your family member’s best interest for their health, growth and satisfaction. There may be other kinds of advocacy that you find are not part of the Care Coordination service. For this reason, Abilities First has chosen to retain professional Family Support and Advocacy services. For questions or help please contact Gina Carminucci at (845) 485-9803 x385.

To receive Home and Community Services, children and adults must be authorized for services through the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Some Home and Community Services also require enrollment in the Medicaid Waiver.

For all staff members in these programs, we conduct personal and criminal background checks, as well as screening through the NYS Justice Center for Protection of People with Special Needs. We also evaluate driving history for safety and provide all staff members with extensive training prior to working with people in Home and Community Services.

When transportation is needed as part of Community Habilitation, we do provide it.

Transportation is not provided for other Home & Community Services.

We encourage people receiving services and their families to participate in selection of staff and arranging services schedules. In cases where people receiving services and their families are not interested, we will arrange for staffing and schedules with input.

For people who qualify, there is no cost for these services.

There is no cost to parents for any of our Early Childhood programs as long as the child qualifies for services and those services are authorized by their home school district.

Transportation is provided by the county to and from all center-based programs. If you choose to transport your child, reimbursement is available from the county. For evaluations or related services, parents must make transportation arrangements.

All teachers are NYS Certified Special Education Teachers. All therapists carry the required NYS license for their discipline. The Director of these programs is a NYS Certified School Administrator. All nursing staff are properly licensed as either a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.

We offer two kinds of center-based special education classrooms: 8:1:3 and 12:1:4. 8:1:3 means 8 students, one teacher and three additional teacher assistants/aides. 12:1:4 means 12 students, one teacher and four additional teacher assistant/aides.

In the Hyde Park Universal PreK program, each classroom has 18 students, two teachers and one teacher assistant/aide. These classrooms are structured to include 14/15 regular education students and 4/5 special education students.

In the Poughkeepsie program, there are 18 students per classroom, two teachers and one teacher assistant/aide. These classrooms are structured to include 8 regular education students and 8 special education students.

The CPSE is responsible for gathering the team of stakeholders for each child including parents and professionals to determine what special services the child needs and where the child will receive those services. All placements in Abilities First preschool programs are made based on referral from the child’s home public school district CPSE. All changes in placement and/or changes in services for children are also made by the CPSE.

You may consult your child’s Pediatrician for advice. To initiate formal evaluation, you must register your child in your home school district and request an evaluation. You will be provided with a list of organizations authorized to conduct Special Education Preschool Evaluation, including Abilities First. The results of this evaluation will tell who the kind of services for which your child qualifies.

Yes, all of our Preschool Special Education Programs run year round with the exception of typical school breaks. The Universal PreK program in Hyde Park does not operate in the summer; however the Special Education component of that program does.

The primary goal of all Abilities First Early Childhood Programs is to prepare children for success when the begin Kindergarten and in the years beyond. Any child that is prepared, enters regular education classrooms in their home school district Kindergarten program. Children who are not quite ready for this step, may be referred to a Kindergarten program that specialized in education for children with disabilities.

There is no cost to parents for any of our School Programs as long as those services are authorized by their home school district. Parents may be required to provide lunch.

Transportation to and from school is provided by the student’s home school district. Abilities First provides transportation to and from field trips and other outings that take place during the school day.

All teachers are NYS Certified Special Education Teachers. All therapists carry the required NYS license for their discipline. The Principals of schools are NYS Certified School Administrators. All nursing staff are properly licensed as either a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse. Teacher Assistants require certification from NYS, and Teacher Aides do not require certification.

We offer three kinds of special education classrooms: 6:1:3 (6 students, one teacher and 3 additional teacher assistants/aides); 8:1:3 (8 students, one teacher and 3 additional teacher assistants/aides); 12:1:4 (12 students, one teacher and 4 additional teacher assistants/aides). Placement in these various classrooms depends on supervision and support needs of each student.

The CSE is responsible for gathering the team of stakeholders for each child including parents and professionals to determine what special services the child needs and where the child will receive those services. All placements in Abilities First school programs are made based on referral from the child’s home public school district CSE. All changes in placement and/or changes in services for children are also made by the CSE with guidance from Abilities First School staff.

Ideally, all children should be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment, which is the general education classroom. Students with disabilities should only be moved from the general education classroom as it is determined that their educational needs require it. If and when it is determined that a student’s needs require a highly specialized school program for intellectual and developmental disabilities, the school district might recommend placement in an Abilities First School.

Yes, many children with mild to severe forms of Autism have attended our school programs with great success. We offer a combination of educational and therapeutic techniques that are specialized for students with Autism. Contact us for more information.

New York State uses specific disabilities categories and among those categories our program is authorized to serve the following: Intellectual Disability, Speech Language Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Autism and Other Health Impairment. These classifications, however, do not necessarily represent diagnoses. As long as a student has been placed in one of these disability categories they can attend an Abilities First School. Many of the students who do attend our school have diagnosed disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Autism and many others.

Yes, our school programs operate year round including the summer. There are several extended school breaks throughout the year such as Spring Break and school recess before and after the summer session. During these breaks we offer a Day Camp for students who qualify. Contact us for more information.

The primary goal of all Abilities First School Programs is to prepare children for success after they graduate. Depending on their personal goals and readiness upon graduation, students can pursue college, vocational training, employment and/or adult services.

Yes, we place great emphasis on the importance of transition planning. Transition planning means planning that takes place with students beginning at the age of 14 that is designed to facilitate a smooth transition to life after school. Transition planning and related activities include vocational exploration, internships and other work related activities.

A Care Coordination Organization (also known as a CCO) is an organization/corporation that provides Care Coordination as its sole purpose. This service has taken the place of Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) that was offered by individual non-profit service providers. Now Care Coordination can only be offered by a state-authorized CCO that is owned by groups, or coalitions, of individual non-profit service providers.

There are two main differences between MSC and Care Coordination. First, MSC involved only the coordination of services for developmental disability, whereas Care Coordination also involves the coordination of medical and health services too. Second, MSCs were employees of non-profit service providers like Abilities First. Care Coordinators under the CCO model are employees of a CCO that also has a role in a Managed Care system.

LIFEPlan CCO is the Care Coordination Organization with which Abilities First has chosen to align. This means that all MSC services under Abilities First were transferred to LIFEPlan CCO as Care Coordination. LIFEPlan CCO spans all of New York State except for Western New York and New York City and provides Care Coordination to approximately 18,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Care Coordinators are charged with the responsibility to coordinate services, supports and medical health services that are in your family member’s best interest for their health, growth and satisfaction. There may be other kinds of advocacy that you find are not part of the Care Coordination service. For this reason, Abilities First has chosen to retain professional Family Support and Advocacy services. For questions or help please contact Gina Carminucci at (845) 485-9803 x ___.

To receive Home and Community Services, children and adults must be authorized for services through the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Some Home and Community Services also require enrollment in the Medicaid Waiver.

For all staff members in these programs, we conduct personal and criminal background checks, as well as screening through the NYS Justice Center for Protection of People with Special Needs. We also evaluate driving history for safety and provide all staff members with extensive training prior to working with people in Home and Community Services.

When transportation is needed as part of Community Habilitation, we do provide it. Transportation is not provided for other Home & Community Services.

We encourage people receiving services and their families to participate in selection of staff and arranging services schedules. In cases where people receiving services and their families are not interested, we will arrange for staffing and schedules with input.

For people who qualify, there is no cost for these services.