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|  Division of Mental HygieneMental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Services and Information
MissionIn the years since the conditions at the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island were made public, great strides have been made in NYC to improve services and conditions for persons with developmental disabilities and to establish comprehensive, community-based service systems. The mission of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Division of Mental Hygiene (Division or DMH) with regard to mental retardation and developmental disability services, is to provide person-centered planning and the development of individualized, comprehensive, community-integrated services. Roles and FunctionsThe Division of Mental Hygiene (Division or DMH) is responsible for a wide range of functions in the area of services to the estimated 160,000 residents of New York City who have developmental disabilities. These disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and a variety of neurological impairments such as Tourette Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis and Narcolepsy. The DOHMH's DMH is the City's official local government unit working with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). State Mental Hygiene Law and the City Charter give the Division responsibility for developing the Local Government Plan and overseeing programs in contract with the DOHMH. Planning The New York State Mental Hygiene law requires the local government unit to "direct and administer a comprehensive local planning process for its area, consistent with established statewide goals and objectives." In New York City, this process involves the collection and processing of data to assess the needs of the developmental disabilities population and determine the services required to meet those needs. The local plan is developed on an annual basis, at a borough level with the participation of consumers, advocates, providers and City and State agencies. Program Development Program development opportunities are determined through the system analysis, needs assessment, and priorities developed in collaboration with Federation MR/DD Councils, NYS OMRDD, and other advocates in preparation of the annual Local Government Plan. Plans are implemented through requests for proposals, collaborative proposal review, and spending plan development. Contract Administration The Division contracts with 50 voluntary agencies for 115 programs, serving approximately 38,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. In addition, the Division funds six specialty diagnostic and treatment clinics for children with developmental disabilities, operated in four boroughs by the Health and Hospitals Corporation. These programs serve people of all ages and cover a broad range of service types including clinical diagnosis and treatment, home care, continuing adult special education, work readiness, and transitional employment. The Service SystemUntil the mid 1970's, the prevailing method of providing care for people with developmental disabilities was life-long placement in large institutions. Parents of newborns with developmental disabilities were advised to place their children in the care of professionals. Since the mid 1970's, as a result of the settlement of the class action lawsuit related to the treatment conditions at Willowbrook State School, there has been a transition to the community-based system of serviceswhich exists today. The Division has played an active role in the development of this system and continues its involvement as one of the system's key participants. Two governmental offices in New York City, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (NYS OMRDD), have chief responsibility for the planning, development, funding, and monitoring of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Other governmental agencies are involved as well; They include the New York State Education Department (SED) and its Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), the New York City Human Resources Administration, the New York City Department of Education, and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Additionally, the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC), whose members are appointed by the Governor, plans and administers Federal funds for a substantial number of innovative pilot projects. The NYS OMRDD has responsibility, under State law, for the comprehensively planned care, treatment, and rehabilitation of New York State's citizens with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. OMRDD certifies, regulates, operates, and contracts for a variety of programs for persons with developmental disabilities. These programs include a full range of residential, day, and family support services. The DOHMH, through its Division of Mental Hygiene, is responsible for the planning, development, and funding of a range of day and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, in New York City. The services are provided primarily by voluntary agencies in contract with the Division and include work readiness, transitional employment, specialty clinics, socialization/recreation programs for children and adults, and counseling and information/referral programs. In New York City, the range and scope of voluntary service providers vary greatly. Many providers serve only individuals with developmental disabilities while some serve a number of different populations. Some agencies are comprehensive service providers, offering a full line of residential, day, and family support services while others offer just one or two types of service, e.g. residential or day services only. Some agencies serve individuals with a range of developmental disabilities, while others serve individuals with a particular developmental disability such as autism or epilepsy. Treatment ServicesWork Readiness Work readiness is an intensive pre-employment program for individuals with developmental disabilities who are not ready for Supported Employment. The goal is to prepare Consumers for employment. Transitional Employment Transitional employment offers individuals whose primary interest is employment and who have the ability to move into the workplace with intensive but time-limited assistance lasting about 12 to 18 months Specialty Clinic The specialty clinic offers a full range of primary care services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Related services include: psychological testing; psychosocial evaluation; sibling counseling & support groups; nutritional counseling; and home care. Socialization/Recreation Programs (Children and Adults) Socialization and recreation programs offer a planned program of social, recreational, and leisure activities for individuals with developmental disabilities that include opportunities to interact with and participate as part of a community. Home Care Home care services offer families who have family members living at home with developmental disabilities support on addressing behavioral and activities of daily living issues and concerns. Adult Classroom Education Adult classroom education programs provide in-class room activities for individuals with developmental disabilities in various academic areas. Counseling and Information/Referral programs Counseling and information/referral programs offer services to parents, siblings, and care-givers, as well as to individuals with developmental disabilities. These services may be helpful for individuals and families who are looking to gain insight, resolve problems, develop alternate approaches to services, and to address other issues of concern. Publications and Programs
Community ParticipationThe Division works collaboratively with the mental health system stakeholders, including, but not limited to, consumers, providers, advocates, and family members. Increasingly, the Division has been providing and promoting opportunities for consumer and family participation in the planning and evaluation of its initiatives and activities. New York City Federation for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services Active citizen participation in the planning process is key to user- friendly services. In order to plan effectively for consumer-focused mental retardation and developmental disability services, it is important to gather information and get input from consumers of services, family members, advocates, community residents, and interested professionals. As part of the Division's overall citizen participation structure, the New York City Federation for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services has councils in each of the City's five boroughs that help inform the Division and the public about the costs, availability, and efficacy of treatment services for mental retardation and developmental disabilities. These advisory bodies work with the Division to identify community needs, determine planning priorities, establish necessary inter-program linkages, and advocate for effective prevention and treatment efforts. The public is invited to participate in the borough where they live or work. To find out more about the borough councils call the NYC Information Line at 311. Contact InformationMRDD Provider Directories
Key Contacts In City and State Government
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