Financial assistance is provided to the family in order to offer a temporary break from the constant care required of a family member with a developmental disability who lives full time in the family home.

Financial assistance is provided to families who are in need of respite services and are caring for a family member with a developmental disability, along with high behavioral and/or medical needs. The individual must reside full time in the family home. Special Needs Respite funds can be used in any of the following ways:

1. Providing an additional Respite staff person (2:1 staffing with both staff funded by FSS reimbursement funds)
2. Employing an FSS Respite provider at an increased rate. *Please note that the reimbursement rate cannot exceed the DOH reimbursable rate
3. Employing a nurse

Financial assistance is provided to families who are in need of respite services or funding for certain goods/services that are necessary to support the individual with the developmental disability. Because these funds are limited and very precious to so many families, it is expected that such funds requested through this grant cannot be provided through any other resource (Public Assistance, HEAP, etc.), and that the Care Manager has exhausted these possibilities. Eligible individuals must reside full time in the family home.

This program provides short-term behavioral consultation and in-home behavioral supports to families who have children or adults with developmental disabilities who reside at home, and who exhibit serious challenging behaviors. The program supports individuals who live in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Washington Counties. CCDS is also serving individuals who reside in Schoharie County on a limited basis.

This program serves individuals and families who live throughout New York State, providing needed support, advocacy, information, and referrals.

This program offers an opportunity for parents to discuss topics and resources related to self-care in a supportive, confidential environment with other parents of individuals with developmental disabilities, while receiving respite. Families attending the Self-Care Group will receive food and materials. Respite is also offered for children (with or without disabilities) whose parents attend the group to encourage maximum attendance at such groups, and a break to the parent/family member as the primary caregiver.

CCDS’ Outreach Program aims to increase relationship building, networking, and collaborative efforts with individuals, institutions, and leaders of the Hispanic Community to increase awareness of the supports of the FSS grant and of the greater Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) system. Priority is given to families of Hispanic background to ensure the needs of this under-served population are being met. CCDS contracts with Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties (CCFM) for this outreach service.