Family Support

Child doing school work

Having a family member with a developmental disability can be overwhelming at times. YAI Network is here to help families learn how to balance stress, navigate the system, advocate for your loved one and access services.

Support

Families' Supplemental Needs Trust

You know you need to plan for the financial future of your loved one, but there is a lot involved.  The process can feel highly technical and even overwhelming.  We at the YAI Network understand this.  Allow us to guide you through the process of setting up a community trust to ensure continued security and stability for your family member.

Read more about Supplemental Needs Trusts.

Vacancies for Family Services

Learn more about YAI's Family Services.

Manhattan Family Reimbursement provides limited funds to families for services and goods that are not reimbursed through other existing programs or funding streams. For more information, please contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Manhattan Based Recreation programs (including Manhattan Evening Adjustment Program and the Alumni Club): Recreation programs for people with developmental disabilities who are older than 18 and live in New York City. The groups meet Tuesdays through Saturdays. Activities include weeknight group activities and Saturday trips. All levels welcome. No transportation provided. For more information, please contact 212-645-1616 ext. 667.
Manhattan Overnight Respite: 24-hour professional and caring supervision from Friday afternoon until Monday morning for people 5 years of age and older in a lovely Chelsea townhouse. Must be ambulatory. For more information, please contact Vanessa White Germany at 212-255-2673.
Manhattan Holiday Respite: Accepting referrals for the school holiday respite for children ages 6-18.  For more information, please contact Tanicqua Pryor at 212-273-6503.
You and I: A Social Training and Recreation Program: Social training program for adults with mild developmental disabilities who live in Manhattan with their families. For more information, please contact Bobra Fyne at 212-273-6202.
Project Intervene: Six-week toilet training program for parents of children with disabilities who live in Manhattan. For more information, please contact Rocio Ruiz at 212-273-6164.
Project Grow: Seven-week training for parents of children with developmental disabilities. A new group is starting for Bronx parents on October 1; however, this program is available to parents whose children live at home in Manhattan, the Bronx or Staten Island. Day and evening groups in English and Spanish are available. Mandarin groups starting in June and Cantonese groups start after that. For more information, please contact Nicole Kirby at 212-273-6200 for more information.
Project Grown-Up: Seven-week training for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Program available to parents whose children live with them in Manhattan. Day and evening groups in English; Spanish is also available. For more information, please contact Nicole Kirby at 212-273-6200.
Queens Family Training Program: Six-week parent training for parents of children with developmental disabilities in English and Spanish through the Queens Crisis Intervention program. For more information, please contact Jackie Nuňez at 718-793-2182 ext. 231.
Family Support Group for Caregivers of Children with Autism: Parent/caregiver support group for parents of people (all ages) with autism. To pre-register and get more information, please contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Manhattan Autism Social Skills Groups: Currently accepting applications for Social Skills Groups for people with autism spectrum disorders who reside with their families in Manhattan. For more information, please contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Extend-a-Family: Overnight respite provided in the home of host family. Ready availability for young children who are non-ambulatory. For more information, please contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311 ext. 6313.
Brooklyn In-Home Respite: In-home respite provided in the home to provide a break for caregivers. For more information, please contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311 ext. 6313.
Brooklyn Saturday Drop Off: Saturday recreation program for people who are age 16 and older. For more information, please contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311 ext. 6313.
Queens Saturday Recreation Programs: Saturday recreation program for people who are age 16 and older. For more information, please contact Pamela Accardo at 212-645-1616 ext. 618.
Queens Thank Goodness it’s the Weekend: Evening social two Fridays a month for people who are age 16 and older. For more information, please contact Pamela Accardo at 212-645-1616 ext. 618.
Parents with Special Needs: Accepting referrals for training for parents with developmental disabilities who live with their children in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. For more information, please contact Nafiza Rasheed at 718-793-2182 ext. 203.
Queens After School Program: After school respite for children ages  6-15. For more information, please contact Nefie White 718-793-8695 ext. 218.
Queens In-Home Respite:  In-home respite for children ages 3 and older who have developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact Nefie White 718-793-8695 ext. 218.
Queens Non-Medicaid Residential Habilitation: A service plan with areas of focus such as training in behavior, personal care and skills development. Participants must have a diagnosis of autism or have behavioral issues. This is a residential habilitation service for those not eligible for medicaid. For more information, please contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
FREE Psychologicals and Psychosocials in Queens and Brooklyn: Evaluations for those who are not Medicaid eligible and are applying for OMRDD services. For more information, please contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.