People with Developmental Disabilities, Office for

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Agency Web Site: https://opwdd.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The mission of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is to help individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities live richer lives. OPWDD’s vision is to ensure that individuals enjoy meaningful relationships with family, friends, and others; experience personal health and growth; live in homes of their choice; and fully participate in their communities.

Organization and Staffing

OPWDD has a Central Office in Albany, which oversees State and Local programs. OPWDD has six State Operations offices, which are responsible for State-delivered programs and services. OPWDD also staffs five Regional Offices that oversee the provision of community-based services delivered by not-for-profit providers. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 18,942 FTEs for OPWDD, reflecting no change from FY 2023.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2024 Executive Budget recommends approximately $7.4 billion in All Funds appropriations, including $4.9 billion for Aid to Localities, $2.4 billion for State Operations and $119.5 million for Capital Projects, which represents an increase of $188.8 million from FY 2023. The year-to-year increase is primarily due to additional Medicaid costs, the 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA), and the continued investment in new service opportunities.

OPWDD will utilize this funding to support a comprehensive system of care that serves nearly 131,000 New Yorkers and their families. These resources will continue to support OPWDD's person-centered model, which delivers services through a network of State-operated and not-for-profit (NFP)-operated settings.

The Budget honors the State’s pledge to support individuals with developmental disabilities in the most appropriate community-based settings. Specifically, the Executive Budget will:

  • Establish a Statewide Ombudsman Program. The Executive Budget includes $2 million to establish an ombudsman program, which will provide client advocate services for individuals eligible for OPWDD services. The program will provide an independent advocate for individuals who are not able to speak for themselves and provide training and support to those who can make their own decisions to help them achieve greater independence. This program will be available across the entire OPWDD service system.

  • Expand Intensive Treatment Opportunity (ITO) Capacity. The Executive Budget includes $11.7 million in capital funding to develop additional ITO units at the former Finger Lakes Developmental Center campus. Once operational, these units will have the capacity to serve 39 individuals who require this level of support. ITOs are inpatient treatment settings that are certified as Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs). Currently, there are ITO units operated at Sunmount in Tupper Lake and Valley Ridge in Norwich.

  • Conduct an Independent Study on the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR). The Executive Budget includes an investment for a two-year independent study focused on how IBR’s functions align with OPWDD’s strategic goals and the feasibility of revitalizing the facility.

  • Continue Investments in New Service Opportunities. The Executive Budget continues to invest State resources to support OPWDD priority program reforms that ensure individuals receive the support they need. This includes individuals who are entering the system for the first time and seeking access to services, and individuals already receiving services, but whose needs have changed.

  • Commit an Additional $15 Million to Develop Housing. The FY 2024 Executive Budget continues to expand independent living opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since FY 2016, the State has invested $110 million in capital resources to develop safe and accessible residential opportunities, and the Executive Budget raises this investmetnt to a total of $125 million. These funds are distinct from, and in addition to, resources that are available from the five year, $25 billion affordable and supporive housing plan, which is also helping support the development of residential opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Evaluate an OPWDD Transition to Managed Care. The State continues to assess the potential effectiveness and sustainability of the proposed delivery system to ensure individuals continue receiving appropriate services in the most cost-effective manner. The State is evaluating how managed care could assist OPWDD in improving services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Work is being done to analyze existing research, data and implementation trends, and stakeholder feedback to assess whether other service delivery models, including managed care, should be pursued to advance the stated goals and objectives of the OPWDD Strategic Plan.

  • Provide Flexibilities for Delegated Nursing Tasks. The Executive Budget includes legislation that would allow greater flexibility for the performance of certain nursing tasks by unlicensed employees of providers certified by OPWDD in non-certified community-based settings. This would allow more individuals to transition into more independent settings, decreasing the reliance on certified residential settings.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

https://www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/archive/fy24/ex/book/briefingbook.pdf

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Program Highlights

  • Residential Services. Residential programs are licensed by OPWDD to provide varying levels of housing and related services, and are operated by OPWDD or nonprofit agencies. Residential services include, but are not limited to: adaptive skill development; assistance with activities of daily living; community inclusion and relationship building; training and support for independence in travel; adult educational supports; and development of social, leisure, self-advocacy, informed choice and appropriate behavioral skills.

  • Day Programs. Day programs include: day habilitation, community habilitation and employment type services, each focused on giving participants the personal, social and vocational supports needed to live in their community. Programming varies depending upon each person’s unique needs and interests. These services aim to assist individuals to acquire, retain or improve their self-help, socialization and adaptive skills; including communication, travel and other areas of adult education.

  • Clinic Services. Clinic Services include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, speech and language pathology, medical/dental services, and health care services. These services assist individuals with developmental disabilities in maintaining the effectiveness of the treatment, enabling the individual to remain in his/her current residential setting and enhancing the individual’s quality of life.

  • All Other Services. These include a variety of different service options for individuals and families, such as Self-Direction, respite, care coordination, and family counseling.
ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2023
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2024
Change From
FY 2023
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2024
State Operations 2,299,683,000 2,357,125,000 57,442,000 2,673,000
Aid To Localities 4,821,118,000 4,945,653,000 124,535,000 3,171,637,000
Capital Projects 112,600,000 119,450,000 6,850,000 543,791,000
Total 7,233,401,000 7,422,228,000 188,827,000 3,718,101,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2023
Estimated FTEs
03/31/23
FY 2024
Estimated FTEs
03/31/24
FTE Change
Central Coordination and Support
General Fund 1,178 1,178 0
Community Services
General Fund 15,198 15,198 0
Capital Projects Funds - Other 385 385 0
Institutional Services
General Fund 2,087 2,087 0
Research in Developmental Disabilities
General Fund 94 94 0
Total 18,942 18,942 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Enterprise Funds 2,657,000 2,657,000 0
General Fund 2,295,154,000 2,352,596,000 57,442,000
Internal Service Funds 348,000 348,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 751,000 751,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 773,000 773,000 0
Total 2,299,683,000 2,357,125,000 57,442,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Central Coordination and Support
General Fund 141,132,000 140,062,000 (1,070,000)
Internal Service Funds 348,000 348,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 751,000 751,000 0
Community Services
General Fund 1,655,014,000 1,707,307,000 52,293,000
Institutional Services
Enterprise Funds 2,657,000 2,657,000 0
General Fund 470,133,000 475,582,000 5,449,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 502,000 502,000 0
Research in Developmental Disabilities
General Fund 28,875,000 29,645,000 770,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 271,000 271,000 0
Total 2,299,683,000 2,357,125,000 57,442,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 83,569,000 1,092,000 82,915,000 1,098,000
Community Services 1,510,654,000 48,126,000 1,368,863,000 52,646,000
Institutional Services 359,100,000 2,533,000 343,704,000 2,996,000
Research in Developmental Disabilities 26,492,000 212,000 26,151,000 223,000
Total 1,979,815,000 51,963,000 1,821,633,000 56,963,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)
Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 489,000 0 165,000 (6,000)
Community Services 1,792,000 0 139,999,000 (4,520,000)
Institutional Services 1,061,000 0 14,335,000 (463,000)
Research in Developmental Disabilities 0 0 341,000 (11,000)
Total 3,342,000 0 154,840,000 (5,000,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 56,493,000 (2,162,000) 2,072,000 65,000
Community Services 196,653,000 4,167,000 77,040,000 2,410,000
Institutional Services 116,482,000 2,916,000 69,865,000 2,186,000
Research in Developmental Disabilities 3,153,000 558,000 1,333,000 42,000
Total 372,781,000 5,479,000 150,310,000 4,703,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 2,268,000 71,000 48,195,000 (2,422,000)
Community Services 5,656,000 177,000 89,295,000 808,000
Institutional Services 1,694,000 53,000 32,757,000 296,000
Research in Developmental Disabilities 6,000 0 1,651,000 511,000
Total 9,624,000 301,000 171,898,000 (807,000)
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 3,958,000 124,000
Community Services 24,662,000 772,000
Institutional Services 12,166,000 381,000
Research in Developmental Disabilities 163,000 5,000
Total 40,949,000 1,282,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 1,099,000 0 0 0
Institutional Services 3,159,000 0 383,000 0
Research in Developmental Disabilities 271,000 0 0 0
Total 4,529,000 0 383,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Central Coordination and Support 1,099,000 0
Institutional Services 2,776,000 0
Research in Developmental Disabilities 271,000 0
Total 4,146,000 0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
General Fund 4,821,118,000 4,945,653,000 124,535,000
Total 4,821,118,000 4,945,653,000 124,535,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Community Services
General Fund 4,821,118,000 4,945,653,000 124,535,000
Total 4,821,118,000 4,945,653,000 124,535,000

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change Reappropriations
FY 2024
Community and Institutional Services Program
Capital Projects Fund 41,600,000 41,600,000 0 70,687,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 15,000,000 20,850,000 5,850,000 80,469,000
Design and Construction Supervision
Capital Projects Fund 6,000,000 6,000,000 0 30,374,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 7,000,000 7,000,000 0 19,222,000
Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Capital Projects Fund 43,000,000 44,000,000 1,000,000 34,532,000
Institutional Services Program
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 2,010,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 0 0 0 98,043,000
Non-Bondable Projects
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 954,000
State-Operated Community Services Program
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 5,115,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 0 0 0 90,397,000
Voluntary-Operated Community Facilities
Capital Projects Fund 0 0 0 22,598,000
MH Capital Improvements - Authority Bonds 0 0 0 89,390,000
Total 112,600,000 119,450,000 6,850,000 543,791,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 02/01/2023