May 18, 2025  – The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has named eight nonprofit service providers that will deliver Home-Enabling Supports (HES) to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) enrolled in Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. These services are designed to increase independence for people living in non-certified home settings with less reliance on paid support staff.

The announcement is part of OPWDD’s broader effort to expand access to in-home assistive technologies (AT), such as remote support tools, health assessment and coordination services, and personalized assistive devices. The selected providers will begin offering services by early summer 2025.

“Being able to live the life you want and control your own destiny is a cornerstone of OPWDD’s supports and services for more than 130,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities,” said Willow Baer, Acting Commissioner of OPWDD. “Today’s technology not only helps empower people to reach their goals while fostering independence and choice, but also encourages less reliance on physically present support staff.”

The providers were selected through a competitive request for services process issued by OPWDD in December 2024. Each will serve a specific region within the state. Awardees include:

• Region 1: ARC Chemung-Schuyler
• Region 2: Exceptional Family Resources
• Region 3: Braverhood, Human Care Services
• Region 4: ADAPT Community Network, Center for Family Support, Person Centered Care Services
• Region 5: AHRC Nassau, Center for Family Support

The program will be Medicaid-funded, with reimbursements capped at $5,000 per individual annually. Providers must be enrolled in Medicaid, meet operating requirements under the state’s Mental Hygiene Law, and be certified by OPWDD’s Division of Quality Improvement.

Linda Laul, CEO of ADAPT Community Network, expressed enthusiasm about the selection, stating, “This new service presents an incredible opportunity to leverage technology to enhance people’s independence at home. We see this as the beginning of a bright future for people with I/DD.”

The technology and services provided must align with an individual’s Life Plan and be aimed at reducing the need for more intensive Medicaid services. Remote supports will be available to individuals aged 15 and older, while assistive devices and health coordination tools will be accessible to participants of all ages.

To support implementation, OPWDD plans to launch targeted training for staff and service recipients and form a Community of Practice to promote consistency and collaboration among providers. This initiative follows the October 2023 expansion of OPWDD’s AT benefit to include Home-Enabling Supports as a new subcomponent.

“This initiative will add to the ways OPWDD and provider agencies are seeking to serve more persons with disabilities who seek to live independently,” said Salvatore Garozzo, CEO of The Arc Chemung-Schuyler.

With more than 130,000 people receiving services through OPWDD, this latest development marks a meaningful step forward in promoting autonomy, accessibility, and individualized care for people with disabilities across New York State.