barbw@libertyarc.org

The caring Family Support Services staff aid households in Chemung and Schuyler County that have a family member who is developmentally disabled and living at home. The program promotes the physical and social well-being, education, and financial stability of individuals who have developmental disabilities by assisting them and their families in obtaining support and linkage to existing community resources and services.

The Economic Opportunity Program manages the Family Support Services Program with funding provided by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The program office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30a.m. to 3:30pm and is located in the Ernie Davis Family Center, next door to the Ernie Davis Community Center at Baldwin and Fifth Street.

Service Access:

The Family Advocate acts as a “Bridger” for individuals who may be eligible to receive Developmental Disability Services. The Family Advocate also assists individuals in pursuing OPWDD eligibility status by coordinating the paperwork process for an Eligibility Determination, assisting in Self-Advocacy and Person-Centered Planning, and follow-up with linkages to identified services and supports.

Family Reimbursement:

The Family Advocate helps facilitate funding for disability-related costs, services, and supplies. These requests are processed for approval at quarterly meetings with the Family Reimbursement Review Committee comprised of community and parent members.

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

If you think you are being scammed report this to the Consumer Protection Department.

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

AVRE’s ACCESS-Tech lab provides an opportunity for seniors to find the technology that best suits their needs. Everything from devices to help read mail and view pictures to smart phones and tablets that allow access to information via the internet.

The RISE Advocacy Services provides victims of domestic violence with legal information, advocacy, support, and accompaniment to law enforcement, family or criminal court, and social service system. Assists victims with applying for compensation from NYS Crime Victims Board, provided victim meets guidelines. Does not have to be shelter resident to receive services.

For individuals with a traumatic brain injury and their families and friends, AIM provides advocacy and support, including support groups, individualized services, peer support, counseling, frequent activities, and information and referral to community resources.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General promotes equal justice under the law and protects the civil rights of all New Yorkers from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, source of income, or disability. We investigate and prosecute discrimination when we observe a pattern or practice of violations.