The staff of the Catskill Center for Independence subscribe to the belief that individuals with disabilities have the same basic rights as all individuals. We believe that individuals with disabilities have the right to make their own choices, have their own dreams, take their own risks, and accept their own successes and failures.
Individuals with disabilities have the basic human rights to self-determination, to participate in and contribute to life in their communities as fully as they choose. All individuals with a disability have the right to decide what independence and success means to them.
The Center provides individuals with information about the latest technology available in assistive and adaptive equipment. We provide referrals to adaptive equipment providers.
The Center also houses durable medical equipment that can be loaned to individuals in need, free of charge. Some of the items available are walkers, wheelchairs, canes, commodes, and many other items.
The Center provides advice, technical information and/or assistance in the removal of physical and programmatic barriers from public or privately owned residences, government buildings, local businesses, and other private and public owned facilities. Center representatives visit your location, assess your accessibility needs, and provide written information on ways to improve your accessibility.
The staff do not make alterations, modifications, etc. We can however assist you in locating builders or contractors and can assist you in obtaining written estimates for the work you need done.
We do not finance or pay for any alterations. We can assist you in exploring a variety of possible funding options that may or may not be available to you.
The Center provides assistance in the application process to the various agencies that provide economic benefits such as SSI/SSDI, food stamps, Medicaid, HEAP, etc.
In addition, the Center will provide information and assistance on work incentive programs such as PASS (Plan for Achieving Self Support), IWRE (Individual Work Related Expenses), etc.
The Center will also provide information and technical assistance about how your benefits will be affected when you enter or re-enter the workforce.
The Center offers a variety of employment related services to assist people with disabilities in the preparation and attainment of employment.
Services include resume writing, job skills training, job search skills, interview skills, and training on the impact working has on benefits such as SSDI, SSI, etc.
As an Employment Network the Center works with SSDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients who have received a “Ticket to Work” from the Social Security Administration and want to go to work.
In addition to employment services already discussed, the Center will assist the Ticket holder with:
The Center provides instruction and assistance in the development of independent living skills in such areas as personal care, employability skills, financial management and budgeting, coping skills, self-determination and self-advocacy skills etc. Included in this area is the education and training necessary for living in the community and participating in community activities.
The Center provides the opportunity for individuals with a disability to share information, experiences, strategies, etc. with another individual who has experienced similar types of problems, barriers, and obstacles.
The Center will speak to groups of all types about issues related to independent living, Center services and programs, and any other disability related issue.
We do not charge for speaker services.
Standing up for your rights! The disability rights movement is the movement to secure equal opportunities and equal rights for people with disabilities. The specific goals and demands of the movement are: accessibility and safety in transportation, architecture, and the physical environment; equal opportunities in independent living, employment, education, and housing; and freedom from abuse, neglect, and violations of individuals’ rights. Effective civil rights legislation is sought in order to secure these opportunities and rights. People with disabilities are the best experts on their needs, and therefore they must take the initiative, individually and collectively, in designing and promoting better solutions and must organize themselves for political power. Besides de-professionalization and self-representation, the independent living movement’s ideology comprises de-medicalization of disability, de-institutionalization and cross-disability (i.e. inclusion in the independent living movement regardless of diagnoses).
The Center provides individuals with assistance in accessing benefits, services and programs to which they may be entitled. CCFI may act as a liaison between the individual with a disability and the agency or program they are trying to access. We are always working to effect changes in laws, policies, regulations, etc. in disability related issues. The Center advocates with government, employers, educators, and others for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Using the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as our backbone, CCFI offers individual and collective advocacy on issues that impact a person’s right to live an independent, productive life.
CCFI advocates for change at three levels:
Locally: With its primary service areas in Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, and Schoharie Counties, CCFI works closely with citizens, community officials, health care providers, service groups and interested citizens to make a more inclusive community.
Statewide: As part of NYAIL (New York Association of Independent Living) and NYSILC (New York State Independent Living Council), CCFI joins the other 40 NY Centers on Independent Living in advocating to make change and connect with lawmakers.
Nationwide: As one of over 400 Centers on Independent Living throughout the country advocating for systems change and the rights of all Americans with disabilities to live productive lives.
Contact the Center at 607.432.8000 for more information.
The Center provides information and technical assistance about the ADA to individuals or groups.
The Center assists individuals with disabilities in learning about their rights under the ADA.
The Center also provides ADA information to employers, landlords, business owners, etc.
View our Transition Services flyer here!
Transition Services are services that assist individuals with disabilities in moving from one phase of their life into another. The Center provides transitional services to two distinct groups of individuals with disabilities:
For students transitioning from high school to higher education, employment, or other activities of adult living in the community, the Center can provide transitioning students and their families with:
For individuals with disabilities currently living in an institutional setting who would like to live in a less restrictive environment within the community and those individuals with disabilities in imminent danger of being placed into an institution against their wishes, the Center can provide services that assist the individual to transition back into their community such as:
Click a service section to expand.
Assistive Competitive Employment Services (ACES) is a program offered by the Catskill Center for Independence designed to assist Schoharie County residents who may have a mental health diagnosis to obtain competitive employment.
ACES offers a wide array of services provided by an Employment Specialist that job seekers can choose from:
Education/Training
Assistance with obtaining education/training is provided by the Employment Specialist when it is related to a person’s employment goals.
ACES Employment Specialists Help People Learn How Their Benefits Will be Affected by Work
Each person who participates is offered the opportunity to learn how their benefits, such as housing subsidies, disability benefits, food aid, etc., would be affected by employment. Benefits advisement is only provided from a person who has had in-depth training with on-going updates.
Job Supports are Individualized and Ongoing
Western NY Independent Living (WNYIL) & PPL: Strengthening CDPAP for You
Western NY Independent Living (with CCFI) is excited to be an approved facilitator for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).
We will be partnering with the new statewide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), to make sure you continue receiving the best care from your trusted personal assistants.
What This Means for You
Need help with your Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) transition?
WNY Independent Living is an official CDPAP Facilitator ready to assist you with the process!
Email: wnyil-cdpap@wnyil.org
Call: 607-432-8000 or 800-348-8399
Here are the steps to transition:
Consumers:
Personal Assistants:
The Federal Government “waives” certain Medicaid rules enabling New York to select a portion of the population on Medicaid to receive specialized services not available to all Medicaid recipients.
Eligibility Requirements for the TBI Waiver Program
The Waiver Applicant:
SERVICES AVAILABLE
Numerous services are available through the TBI Waiver Program. The Catskill Center for Independence provides the services below:
Service Coordination: A coordinator is chosen by the waiver participant and/or guardian to work with them in identifying and coordinating supports and services and developing a written service plan.
Environmental Modification: Provides adaptations to residences to promote independence and to ensure safety.
Community Integration Counseling: counseling is provided to participant and family members to assist with issues related to community integration.
Other services available through the program are listed below:
For additional information please visit the NYS Department of Health.
The Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Medicaid Waiver is a program created to offer New-Yorkers with disabilities and senior citizens a way to live in the community. The NHTD program offers a wide range of special services that will help people in their daily lives. These services include re-teaching basic skills, building ramps to allow access to homes, and safety monitoring.
View our Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver flyer here!
Who is eligible for the NHTD program?
The program is for people who choose to live in the community instead of a nursing home and who meet these requirements:
How does the NHTD Program work?
There are nine agencies located across New York State that can help anyone interested in the NHTD program. Each of these nine Regional Resource Development Center (RRDC) agencies has a Regional Resource Development Specialist (RRDS) who can explain the program. The RRDS helps people get started and assists them in selecting a Service Coordination agency. A Service Coordinator from that agency then works with each person to apply for the NHTD program and to develop a Service Plan. The Service Plan is designed to help the person live safely in the community.
For more information visit the NYS Department of Health.
The IPA/Navigator will meet with individuals (and family members) privately at several locations throughout Schoharie & Delaware Counties to provide Navigator services and assist with enrollment.
The Center provides enrollment information and assistance to Schoharie & Delaware County Residents in one of the health plans offered by the New York State Benefit Exchange Program, also known as the Marketplace. An IPA/Navigator is available to answer questions, provide information, help residents compare their health plan options, and enroll in the Marketplace. The Marketplace requires each individual to provide specific information when they register to enroll. We have an information checklist available to assist you in gathering this information for your appointment.
If you would like to additional information or to schedule an appointment to enroll in the Marketplace, please contact:
Our main line for both offices: 607.432.8000
Schoharie County:
Debra Martin, IPA Navigator, 607-778-0849
Maria Savino, Employment Navigator, 607-766-8294
It is anticipated it will take approximately 60 minutes to complete enrollment into the Marketplace so you must call for an appointment.
This program, funded by NYS Department of Health is designed to work with you, family or friends you want involved in the process, and the staff at the nursing home.
Shelly VanDerwerken, the Center’s Transition Specialist will provide you with comprehensive, unbiased information about home and community based services you may need in order to return to your home.
Once equipped with this information, it is up to YOU to decide if you wish to continue working towards a discharge back into the community.
The program is strictly voluntary and you can change your mind at any time.
What will happen if I ask to speak with someone about returning to the community?
Then she will look into:
The Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP) provides rental subsidies for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries. RTHP, previously known as Nursing Home to Independent Living (NHIL), is a Medicaid Redesign Team initiative funded by the Department of Health and administered by the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL). RTHP ensures seniors and people with disabilities can afford accessible, safe, sanitary, and sustainable housing in the community. Each participant will be assigned a Housing Specialist (HS) and an Independent Living Specialist (ILS).
More information can be found here: Link https://ilny.us/programs/rapid-transition-housing
A program that works for both tenants and landlords!
The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) is a rental subsidy program funded by the New York State Department of Health Medicaid Redesign Team and administered by the New York Association on Independent Living. Eligible participants must meet the following program requirements:
Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. The housing is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects, such as senior housing.
A Housing Specialist (HS) from a local Independent Living Center is assigned to each participant in the program. The HS will assist individuals in many ways, from enrollment in the program to follow-up after the move. The HS will work with participants to locate housing in the community of their choice, complete an inspection of the rental unit to ensure health and safety standards are met, maintain monthly contact with the participant, and re-inspect the unit annually. The HS acts as a liaison between landlords and participants to ensure success of the program.
Participants will be required to pay 30% of their monthly income, less allowances, towards rent. The OHS program will subsidized the remainder, up to the local Fair Market Rent set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In conjunction with rental subsidies, funding for Community Transition Services (CTS) is also available. It includes security deposits, moving expenses, utility start-up payments, household establishment purchases, etc.
Participants are required to sign an annual lease with their landlord and apply for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section8) when it becomes available in their area.
NY Connects assists people with disabilities, their family members and friends, and other professional to find information that will help individuals remain healthy and independent in their own homes. Each person is unique; staff will meet with you on the phone or in person to help you determine your long term care needs, and will provide information and assistance accessing those services. NY Connects provides one stop access to comprehensive information about resources available in your own community.
Long term services may include:
personal care assistance including help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation;
education and counseling including finding community resources that can teach independent living skills or can help to find employment;
behavioral services including mental health and substance use services; and
health and wellness programs to prevent secondary conditions and manage existing chronic conditions.
We provide NY Connects services to individuals residing in Delaware, Otsego, & Schoharie Counties.
are tasked with delivering Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) services to the Medicaid population. Networks will bring together health care systems, community-based organizations, behavioral health providers, and other social service providers to expand access to critical unmet needs.
Criteria to Receive Enhanced Services:
Enhanced Service Populations:
CCFI offers Screening, Navigation, and housing services. These services are offered in Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, and Schoharie Counties.
Care Compass Collaborative (Delaware, Otsego, Chenango Counties) https://carecompasscollaborative.org/social-care-network/#social-care-network
Healthy Alliance (Schoharie County) https://www.healthyalliance.org/1115-waiver/
NYS of Helath: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/sdh/scn/
Independent Living (IL) is a non-medical, non-residential, self-help, program model of advocacy and support services, for people with all disabilities of all ages. Agencies subscribing to this model, are governed by a majority of people with disabilities; use a nondirective peer approach to providing services in a supportive and informal environment; provide freedom to consumers to pursue their own dreams; expect and assist consumers to fully experience, accept and learn from the results of their own actions; emphasize community-change advocacy to increase the full integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life; and promote a positive view of disability at all times.
Independent Living Services
Services that may be provided by CILs under NYS law which are consistent with the Independent Living Program Model. For an ACCES-VR approved list of services with definitions, refer to the CIL Standards, Performance Report and Data Collection Guide, Part 2: Direct Services and Statistical Report, section IV. Individual Services.
It is not required that a CIL provide all of the services on the approved list of services or only the services listed, but any program of service supported with funds other than those provided by ACCES-VR must be captured using one of the approved independent living service categories most closely and consistently representing the approved service definitions. Also, a CIL is required to provide, at a minimum, the following core services: legal/advocacy, systems advocacy, housing assistance, information and referral, independent living skills development and life skills, peer counseling, and benefits assistance.
Core Services
Peer Counseling is provided between two or more individuals with disabilities, to share ideas and experiences about living with a disability, in order to gain greater awareness and control over one’s own life.
Independent Living Skills Training teaches everyday life skills and is often provided by people with disabilities. Training may include budgeting, meal preparation, arranging transportation, or personal assistance services, job seeking, and self-advocacy.
Information and Referral Services aim to provide individuals with resources and options that may be necessary in making informed choices about living, learning, and working independently.
Individual and Systems Advocacy addresses access to equal opportunities in exercising social, economic, educational, and legal rights. Independent Living Centers work with individuals, community organizations, state/national networks; to promote full inclusion of people with disabilities, and to improve the implementation of existing laws: federal, State, and local.
We have a variety of equipment that we loan to the community free of charge. These include commodes, wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, shower benches. We also accept donated items to give back to our community.
Learn more here: https://ilny.us/programs/rapid-transition-housing
Through Children’s Eyes is a program designed to educate today’s youth about people with disabilities, the impact of inaccessible environments and proactive ways of dealing with these issues for a more accessible future. The program, initially developed and implemented by Ken Sider, Riverside Elementary School Teacher in Oneonta, NY and Don Wyckoff, Architectural Barrier Specialist at the Catskill Center for Independence, is a comprehensive ongoing disability awareness program. Through Children’s Eyes connects existing New York State curriculum to an experiential component designed to engender empathy as opposed to sympathy regarding people with disabilities. One of its goals is to turn passive awareness of a problem into action plans that result in positive perceptual and behavioral changes among students, as well as staff. In so doing, the result has led and will continue to lead to better informed citizens prepared to acknowledge and stand up for the rights of people with disabilities, making our communities and our future more accessible.
This program has been replicated at other schools in New York State and beyond. Contact us to learn more about how it can be replicated in your school or for additional information about the program.
