The NY Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) opens the door to services for children with developmental disabilities, including therapies, respite and home care. Here is how to apply in New York City, and how Community Home Care helps along the way.
1. Check if your child may qualify
OPWDD serves people with a developmental disability that began before age 22 and substantially limits daily life, such as autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neurological impairment, Prader-Willi syndrome or familial dysautonomia.
2. Gather the documents
- A psychological evaluation from the last 3 years, with IQ testing (and an adaptive behavior report in some cases)
- A full autism evaluation, if the diagnosis is autism
- A social history from the last year
- A medical report from the last year
Our team helps families pull these together.
3. Enroll with a Care Coordination Organization (CCO)
In NYC, a CCO submits the OPWDD application for you. Once your child is eligible, the CCO care manager builds a Life Plan and connects services.
4. Start home care while you wait
Your child doesn’t have to wait for OPWDD to get help. Many children receive home care through their Medicaid health plan (HMO) first.
What OPWDD can offer
- Speech, physical and occupational therapy
- Respite for parents
- Community and day habilitation
- Family support services, including parent training and after-school programs
- Home and vehicle modifications and adaptive equipment
- Job readiness for teens 14 and older
A relative can be your child’s paid aide
Parents can’t be the paid aide, but a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling or family friend can take free HHA training and care for your child through Community Home Care.
Get help today
Call (718) 435-8555 or see our Pediatric Home Care page.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for OPWDD?
People with a developmental disability that began before age 22, such as autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy or epilepsy, that substantially limits daily functioning.
What documents do I need for OPWDD?
Usually a psychological evaluation from the last 3 years with IQ testing, a social history from the last year, and a medical report from the last year. A full autism evaluation is needed for autism.
Can my child get home care while the OPWDD application is pending?
Often yes. Many children get home care through their Medicaid health plan (HMO) while they wait.
Can a parent be paid as the child’s aide?
No. But another relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle or adult sibling, can take free HHA training and become the paid aide.
