Individual and Family Support Services

Day Habilitation | Medicaid Service Coordination | Family Support Services | Community Recreation | Corporate Guardianship | Respite Care Reimbursement

Day Habilitation

Arc of Onondaga’s Day Habilitation Services have been serving individuals with developmental disabilities since 1994. Since then, the Day Habilitation Service has grown from 20 to over 130 participants. Because of this growth, the Day Habilitation service has found it necessary to develop training models most appropriate to the changing needs of the population. Today, Day Habilitation Services are supporting individuals with higher needs and who need more intense training in order to make their community experience and the experience of the community more positive.
There are three Day Habilitation Service sites operated by Arc throughout Onondaga County. The focus of the Day Habilitation Service is to provide individuals with developmental disabilities opportunities to learn skills to achieve a higher level of independence, a stronger awareness and responsibility to community inclusion and to feel productive in their lives as unique individuals. This service teaches the consumer more about their needs and how to accomplish their goals within the community. The services focus on development of personal living, choice making, vocational exploration, and community survival and socialization skills. Activities and skill training takes place in the community and on site at each day habilitation location.
For more information or to make a referral to the Day Habilitation Program, contact Director of Individualized Services, Michelle Gillespie at 315.473.5020 or mgillespie@arcon.org.

Medicaid Service Coordination

Arc of Onondaga began providing Medicaid Service Coordination in March 2000. Medicaid Service Coordination offers individuals and their families the opportunity to have a professional assist them with finding services that best meet the needs based on the 3IP Philosophy and five governing principles. This Philosophy promotes individual choice, inclusion in what is of value to the individual and what facilitates the highest level of independence and productivity possible. It allows families and consumers to have an individualized support plan put together that reflects a person's strengths, capacities, needs, and valued outcomes. The Service Coordinator assists individuals to attain the highest quality of life and live as independently as possible. Service Coordination activities fall into three general categories: (1) individualized service planning, (2) advocating, (3) record keeping.
For more information on the referral process and eligibility requirements contact the Michelle Gillespie, Director of Individualized Services, at 315.473.5020 or mgillespie@arcon.org.

Family Support Services

The following three services are designed to assist people with developmental disabilities and their family members. People are eligible to participate in these programs if they live with their family members or independently.

Community Recreation

The recreation program provides a variety of activities for individuals with developmental disabilities. These programs are designed to introduce participants to the many recreational and leisure opportunities available within our community. Additionally, the program helps promote independence and community inclusion, as well as assisting in the development of social skills.

Medicaid Waiver Respite
Community Recreation is designed to provide short term respite for family members of people with developmental disability. The program is a Medicaid waiver respite program. Adults 18 years of age and older who have a developmental disability and live in a non-certified setting (such as with a family member) in Onondaga County may qualify.

Activities are scheduled daily. Transportation to and from many of the activities is provided. Some activities leave from and return to the CNYDDSO.

Teen Scene Recreation
The Teen Scene Recreation Program also provides recreational activities in the community for teenagers between the ages 13 to 18. Teens who have a developmental disability and live in a non-certified setting (such as with a family member) in Onondaga County may qualify.

Transportation is provided to and from all activities. Teens can choose up to three activities per month from the quarterly newsletter. Activities are scheduled on weekends.

Bowling League
The Arc of Onondaga Bowling League is an excellent recreational activity open to any adult over 18 with a developmental disability. Participants bowl in the league for the season, and a banquet and party is held at the end of the season. Trophies and certificates are awarded to all bowlers. Participants must provide their own transportation and staff or parental supervision if necessary. The bowling league season runs for 16 weeks from October until March.

For more information on Arc of Onondaga Community Recreation, please contact Judi Dreher at 315.473.2935 or jdreher@arcon.org.

Corporate Guardianship

Arc of Onondaga’s Guardianship Program helps family members meet the future needs of a loved one with developmental disabilities. Arc offers education and information to families and may agree to act as guardian or standby guardian on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities who have no other involved person to meet this need.

For more information on Corporate Guardianship, please contact Debra Gallagher, Associate Executive Director at 315.476.7441, extension 131 or dgallagher@arcon.org .

Respite Care Reimbursement

A family or guardian can arrange for respite care for the individuals so they can get a much needed break from the constant care and concern of having a family member with a disability. Families choose the respite provider, direct the service and receive reimbursement for the cost.

For more information on Respite Care Reimbursement through Arc of Onondaga contact Felicia McKenzie, Support Services Manager, at 315.473.5027 or fmckenzie@arcon.org.