Transition Services Available:

• • Medicaid - Medicaid, through Medicaid Waiver, pays for most of the services (for both children and adults) from OPWDD and OMH. The Medicaid Waivers allow families with children with a variety of disabilities to apply for Medicaid and the parents’ income is NOT used to determine eligibility. For more information about the Medicaid Waiver please see http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/0548.pdf . Applications for Medicaid are made at your local county department of social services. Information on how to apply for Medicaid can be found at http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/ or by calling your county department of social services. If your son/daughter receives SSI, they will automatically be eligible for Medicaid. It is essential to have Medicaid prior to applying for adult services with OPWDD. OPWDD funds all day programs and residential programs through the Medicaid Waiver. 
    
    
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) - SSI provides funding for many adult programs as well as income and health insurance (Medicaid) to adults with disabilities who are unable to support themselves. Individuals with disabilities may apply the month they turn 18, but it is important to understand the process before age 18 (see information sheet for pointers). You may reach the SSI office at 1-800-772-1213 or on-line at www.socialsecurity.gov . 
    
    
  • Service Coordination / Case Management - You might ask yourself, “How do I apply for all these services? How do I know what is available? And who is going to help us once my son/daughter graduates?” The answer is a service coordinator/case manager. Unfortunately, this service is only available if your son/daughter has been found eligible by either OMRDD or OMH. It is important to apply for this service as soon as your child has been made eligible by either OMRDD or OMH. 
    
    
• Day Programs - When your son/daughter leaves school, will he/she be competitively employed on a full-time basis? If not, what will he/she do during daytime hours? There are various day programs that address vocational skills, daily living skills, and recreation. It is important to familiarize yourself with these options as you prepare for adulthood (see information sheet). Day programs are not guaranteed; families must actively seek these services and apply for them prior to graduation. These services are only available if your son/daughter is eligible for OMRDD.
  
  
• Residential - Is your son/daughter going to live at home as an adult? If not, will he/she be able to live independently? You may want to explore various residential services. There are programs for all levels of need, from ones that provide 24 hour intensive supervision to ones that provide occasional support. Waiting lists are extensive (approximately 5-10 years) and being on a waiting list does not guarantee placement. It is recommended that you apply in advance of the need for services (see information sheet).

Transportation for individuals with disabilities: 

• CDTA STAR is Special Transit Available by Request; a Para-transit service offering transportation alternatives to people whom at certain times cannot use, or have substantial limits using, the CDTA fixed-route bus system because of a disability or impairment.
  
  
• Sunnyview Driver Training Center, Schenectady, NY -  Outpatient services available for all disabilities. Driver Assessment, Training, Retraining, and On-the-Road Evaluation for the disabled and senior driver.
  
  
• Medicaid transportation to medical appointments - Medicaid provides transportation as the transporter of last resort.
  
  County Departments of Social Services (DSS) are responsible for administering Medicaid nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) for approved health care services. NEMT is a ride, or reimbursement for a ride, provided so that a Medicaid recipient with no other transportation resources can receive medical services from a health care provider/facility. If a Medicaid-eligible recipient is in need of medical services, but cannot get to those services, transportation must be provided for the recipient. 
  
  How do I schedule transportation to an appointment? 
  Call (518) 459-8747 at least 3 business days in advance to arrange transportation.  First time callers must provide their Medicaid client identification number, county they are receiving Medicaid from, name, social security number, address, phone number, an emergency contact name and phone number, and their primary doctor’s name and phone number.  It is also important that callers also be prepared to provide the name, address, and phone number of the doctor they are seeing and the scheduled time of each appointment.  Please be prepared to answer questions regarding your mobility so that ACCESS can arrange appropriate transportation for you. 

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Questions? Please contact your social worker for additional information on these topics or Contact the Transition Services Department at Wildwood Programs.