OPWDD Guides, Resources, & Contacts

OPWDD stands for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. OPWDD funds many services for people with developmental disabilities in New York State. There are district offices known as Developmental Disabilities Regional Offices (DDRO) for each county. 

Benefit Development Resource Guide: This is designed to provide information about developing the benefits and entitlements necessary to fund services provided by OPWDD and other voluntary service providers. It is not intended to be read from cover to cover, though those new to the topics discussed may wish to do so. The guide is primarily intended to be used as a reference during the process of assisting people to develop the benefits necessary to fund their care.

COVID-19: Service providers, family members, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can find the most recent New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) COVID-19 Guidance online. The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has released additional guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine consent process. They also created a video and a plain language document to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and service providers understand the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process. 

Dental Services Directory: Find dentists throughout New York State who specialize in providing dental services to people with developmental disabilities by using OPWDD's Dental Services Directory.

Emergency Phone Number: During evenings and weekends, people are asked to contact the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) emergency number. This phone number should only be contacted for emergency situations. For non-emergencies, please contact the Front Door Office in your county of residence. Call 855.696.7933. 

Identification Cards: A new state law now makes identification cards available to people who have a medically diagnosed developmental disability. These new I/DD ID cards are meant to be presented to law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel to aid in the communication process. You can request an I/DD ID Card on OPWDD's website. 

ISS Coordinators: ISS is a housing subsidy for people with developmental disabilities which is calculated based on a person's income and Housing and Community Renewal Payment Standards. It offers more independent housing opportunities for people with I/DD through the use of integrated housing options and housing related subsidies. Each OPWDD regional office has an ISS coordinator families and service providers can speak with for more information. 

Training: Different professional trainings available to professionals working with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Residential Support Categories: The Residential Support Categories provide guidance for determining a person's need for residential support. They describe how a person’s circumstances, and/or the circumstances of his or her family or caregivers, are considered when there is a need for residential support. The categories define when an individual or family’s situation is considered to be an emergency need, a substantial need or a current need. These categories are applied when an individual who needs residential support, or the family/caregiver, is ready to actively seek this opportunity. Categories are determined when referral information, provided by a care manager or other referral source, is received and reviewed by the Residential Support team at one of OPWDD’s regional offices.