Resources that may be able to assist families of a person with a developmental disability during a behavioral crisis

If you are working with a person with a developmental disability who is having a behavioral crisis there are several resources available in the city that may be able to assist. Unfortunately, many of the emergency services that once existed at state-run Developmental Centers have closed in recent years due to cuts in government funding. Additionally, in-patient hospital options no longer exist in New York City. The following information is a compilation taken directly from information in DDRO guides and from the websites of organizations that provide the interventions. Most of the services are borough specific so one should attempt to contact the organizations and services in the borough in which the individual needing assistance resides.

This list of services is compiled as a resource. AHRC New York City is not familiar with all the programs on this list and does not have control over service changes or availability.

Behavioral Crisis Resources in New York City

AHRC New York City

We offer a wide range of mental health services including our Bronx In-Home Crisis Team.

This service is available to Bronx residents, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

In cases of challenging behaviors, the Bronx In-Home Crisis Team provides short-term in-home behavior management to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in the Bronx, who live at home with their family.

If there is a need for additional services in the community, referrals are made on a part-time basis. If follow-up or ongoing services are needed, the team makes referrals to the appropriate mental health facilities.

The team also provides Post-Crisis assistance for families if the problematic behaviors recur or if new difficulties arise.

Funded under a Family Support grant from OPWDD the Bronx In-Home Crisis Team team consists of two full time experienced psychologists:

Delores Lulgjuray, PhD
Christine Somyk, MA

Please contact Delores Lulgjuray via our phone service at 718-367- 3701.

Innovative Resources for Independence

Contact: Claudius Campos 646-372-5487, ccampos@in-res.org

  • Linkage and referral to ongoing services/supports
  • Response to active crisis situations
  • Behavioral Consultation
  • Parent / Caregiver Training and Advocacy
  • Proactive Crisis Supports during problematic times
  • Medical Appointment Assistance
  • Environmental modification recommendations
  • 24/7 CRISIS Hotline 646-542-4643

Lifespire

Contact: Jay Kleinman 718-454-6940

Short-term case management, referral and linkage provided to individuals with or without MSC.  This service is generally Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Innovative Resources for Independence

Contact: Claudius Campos 646-372-5487, ccampos@in-res.org

  • Linkage and referral to ongoing services/supports
  • Response to active crisis situations
  • Behavioral Consultation
  • Parent / Caregiver Training and Advocacy
  • Proactive Crisis Supports during problematic times
  • Medical Appointment Assistance
  • Environmental modification recommendations
  • 24/7 CRISIS Hotline: 646-542-4643

YAI Network

Contacts:
Victor Ordde 212-273-6100 ext. 2879 (English)
Maria Leonardo 212-273-6229 (Spanish)

Eligibility criteria: OPWDD eligibility (up-to-date psychological indicating ID/DD diagnosis, including adaptive scores, age-of-onset documentation,) and the individual needs to live at home with family in Manhattan or Queens.

Short-term case management: A case manager is assigned for each family and stays involved as long as their case is open with Crisis.  When the individual does not have MSC, the case manager will assist with securing immediately-needed services and connecting with long-term case management/service coordination.  In all cases, case manager can provide advocacy, referrals, etc.  Case manager can also assist in obtaining OPWDD eligibility, if the individual has not yet been deemed eligible.  No waitlist for this service. Case management for crisis is not available to individuals who receive MSC services.

In-home behavior management: A 6-month, in-home intervention where a clinician visits the home for weekly 2-hour visits with the parent/caregiver.  The clinician does an in-depth assessment (6-8 weeks) of the presenting behavioral issue, observes the individual at home and at school/day program, then conducts a 6-week parent training, which is based on a curriculum developed by YAI.  The clinician and parent develop a behavior plan for the individual, and the clinician monitors the parent’s implementation of the plan.  The parent is given materials and tools to help implement the plan, and the clinician provides recommendations in addition to the plan at the time of case closing.  The clinician works with the parent/family, but does not work directly with the individual.

Crisis counseling: Short-term (generally 6-8 weeks), solution-focused crisis counseling, either in-home or in the office, depending on the individual.  This service can be offered to either parents/caregivers or individuals themselves.

Emergency Respite funds: Funds available for payment for respite services provided by a worker identified and engaged by the family to provide respite care for the individual.

YAI does not provide “initial stabilization in acute crisis”

Services are provided Monday through Friday, though hours may be flexible.

Lifespire

Contact: Jay Kleinman 718-454-6940

In-home Behavior Management:  An ABSS goes into the home weekly for 1-2 hours to teach the parent behavior management strategies designed to reduce the frequency of challenging behaviors.  A behavior plan is generated and then modified as required.  Services average anywhere from 3-6 months, but that can vary depending on the needs.  Available in Spanish.  Sessions are arranged at the family’s convenience and can be weekday or weekend.

Lifespire

Contact: Jay Kleinman 718-454-6940

Crisis Intervention: Short-term case management, referral and linkage provided to individuals with or without MSC.  This service is generally M-F, 9-5.

In-Home Behavior Management: An ABSS goes into the home weekly for 1-2 hours to teach the parent behavior management strategies designed to reduce the frequency of challenging behaviors.  A behavior plan is generated and then modified as required.  Services average anywhere from 3-6 months, but that can vary depending on the needs.  Available in Russian.  Sessions are arranged at the family’s convenience and can be weekday or weekend.

In-Home and Travel Training (non-waiver): A habilitation specialist directly teaches the individual independent living and/or travel skills.  Sessions are usually weekly, but in some instances can be more frequent.

Innovative Resources for Independence

Contact: Claudius Campos 646-372-5487, ccampos@in-res.org

Crisis Intervention works with individuals as well as those who support them who have psychiatric, behavioral or situational conditions, which places them or others at risk.

This service is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, this program is designed to fill in the gaps of the traditional service delivery system. A crisis is an individualized need that varies from family to family. Situations can be as serious as the illness or death of a caregiver, support during medical appointments, or with behavioral challenges. The Crisis Intervention Team is comprised of Crisis Field Representatives that will help or assist families with a developmentally disabled family member living at home in Brooklyn, Queens the Bronx and in Nassau County. The Crisis Field Representative will meet with the family in their home to develop a plan that addresses the crisis.

The members of the crisis team work together with agencies, family, and individuals to help bring needed resources to the problem situation.

The goal of this short term service is to determine the supports needed to help individuals who are having a crisis, replace the old pattern of crisis behavior with socially appropriate actions and to alert and connect the necessary provider or natural support sources to the problem situation.

CRISIS Services Provided:

  • Linkage and referral to ongoing services/supports
  • Response to active crisis situations
  • Behavioral Consultation
  • Parent / Caregiver Training and Advocacy
  • Proactive Crisis Supports during problematic times
  • Medical Appointment Assistance
  • Environmental modification recommendations 24/7
  • CRISIS Hotline: 646-542-4643

Kew Gardens Multi Service Center – YAI

Contacts:
Jackie Nuňez 718-793-2182, ext. 231 (Spanish).

Eligibility Criteria: OPWDD eligibility (up-to-date psychological indicating ID/DD diagnosis, including adaptive scores, age-of-onset documentation) and the individual needs to live at home with family in Manhattan or Queens.

Short-Term Case Management: A case manager is assigned for each family and stays involved as long as their case is open with Crisis.  When the individual does not have MSC, the case manager will assist with securing immediately-needed services and connecting with long-term case management/service coordination.  In all cases, case manager can provide advocacy, referrals, etc.  Case manager can also assist in obtaining OPWDD eligibility, if the individual has not yet been deemed eligible.  No waitlist for this service. Case management for crisis is not available to individuals who receive MSC services.

In-Home Behavior Management: A 6-month, in-home intervention where a clinician visits the home for weekly 2-hour visits with the parent/caregiver.  The clinician does an in-depth assessment (6-8 weeks) of the presenting behavioral issue, observes the individual at home and at school/day program, then conducts a 6-week parent training, which is based on a curriculum that YAI developed.  The clinician and parent develop a behavior plan for the individual, and the clinician monitors the parent’s implementation of the plan.  The parent is given materials and tools to help implement the plan, and the clinician provides recommendations in addition to the plan at the time of case closing.  The clinician works with the parent/family, but does not work directly with the individual.

Crisis counseling: Short-term (generally 6-8 weeks), solution-focused crisis counseling, either in-home or in the office, depending on the individual.  This service can be offered to either parents/caregivers or individuals themselves.

YAI does not provide “initial stabilization in acute crisis”
Services are provided Monday through Friday, though hours may be flexible.

Eden II

Contact: Irene Cavanaugh 718 816-1422 ext. 1011

This program will service Staten Island families that have children diagnosed with Autism, including families of Eden II. Crisis Team will service families with children ranging in age from 2-21 years.

The Crisis Intervention Behavior Management Team provides intensive assessment and intervention services for families that are in a crisis situation. These families require in-home training in order to provide them with strategies in managing the severe behaviors often associated with Autism. Individuals with Autism often display challenging behaviors such as self-injurious and aggression. These problems usually intensify in the home if they are not attended properly.

Parents will receive eight weeks of training with a crisis team manager so they can successfully implement the plan in their home. Through interview and direct observation, behavior intervention plans/strategies will be provided to the families that address challenging behaviors. Behavior plans are based on sound and best practice behavioral principles. Parent training will be provided. Data will be collected on challenging behavior so that progress can be monitored and plan modifications can be made as needed. Families will be responsible for carrying out all recommended strategies in the home.

These sessions are to be followed up on a weekly basis with the crisis team manager. The Crisis team manager will train families in implementing any strategies or behavior intervention plans. The families will also continue to receive follow-up visits when needed after training is complete.

Through interviews with the family, a service needs assessment will be developed by a Medicaid Service Coordinator. Service needs include such things as appropriate educational services, case management, Medicaid services, family counseling, individual counseling, diagnostic services and residential services. These services will not be provided by the Eden II Crisis Team Manager. However, information will be provided through Eden II’s MSC that will guide families towards accessing community resources.

Eden II is not equipped to provide families or individuals with long-term or ongoing counseling. Needs for counseling will, however be identified and appropriate referrals be made. Short-term family counseling may be provided in certain circumstances; however the focus will be on the family interactions that are affecting the treatment of the child disability.

Intensive Behavioral Resources

Intensive Behavioral Services are not considered a Behavioral Crisis Intervention but rather a service that will reduce the likelihood of a future crisis. If your family member with challenging behaviors lives at home with you, his/her family, and is enrolled in the Waiver, he/she may be eligible for these services.

Intensive Behavioral (IB) Services are short-term (6 month) services that focus on developing effective behavior management strategies for individuals whose challenging behavioral issues put the individual at risk of placement in a more restrictive residential setting.  While not a crisis intervention program, this program does teach the individual, families and other caregivers how to respond to and deal with those challenging behaviors that might otherwise result in admission to a hospital or psychiatric center. To be eligible for IB Services, the individual must live in his/her own home or a Family Care home and must be enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services Waiver.

Services are provided by clinical staff who, once service is authorized, meet with the family and individual and complete a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).  Upon completion of the FBA, a Behavior Management Plan (BMP) is developed to develop or increase adaptive behaviors and decrease the frequency and/or intensity of challenging behaviors through the use of positive and proactive strategies; examples may include providing access to preferred items or activities, teaching relaxation, anger management, social, communication and other behavioral self-management skills, or making environmental modifications.

Family members and other staff who provide support the individual are trained by IBS staff on implementation of the plan.  Implementation is then monitored though behavioral data collection, and progress assessed (and plan modified if needed) at regular intervals.

Heartshare

Contact: Joe Baird 718-422-4200

Hamaspik

Contact: Rachel Tress 845-503-0200

Innovative Resources for Independence

Contact: Ronesse Ramahkah 347-203-5750

Eden II

Contact: Irene Cavanaugh 718-816-1422

AHRC New York City

Contacts:
Lisa Adorno 718-643-2566

Eden II

Contact: Irene Cavanaugh 718-816-1422

Innovative Resources for Independence

Contact: Ronesse Ramahkah 347-203-5750

Independent Residences Inc.

Contact: Ronesse Ramahkah  347-203-5750

Eden II

Contact: Irene Cavanaugh 718-816-1422

Making a Referral

To make a referral, send completed Application Form, Copy of DDP2 (completed within 6 months), and Psychological Evaluation (and any other relevant clinical documentation) to the DDRO.

DDRO Eligibility Contacts:

Metro Office:

Bronx, New York
Alan Filippi
Alan.Filippi@opwdd.ny.gov
Phone: 212-229-3139
Fax: 212-229-3151

Brooklyn Office:

Kings
Dr. Howard Reyer
Phone: 718-642-8657

Staten Island Office:

Richmond
Jack Lawrence
John.Lawrence@opwdd.ny.gov
Phone: 718-982-1944
Fax: 718-982-1931

Bernard Fineson Office:

Queens
Francina Branch
Francina.Branch@opwdd.ny.gov
Phone: 718-217-6179
Fax: 718-217-5166

Mental Health-Oriented Services

(Not Developmental Disabilities-Specific)

These services are all offered by the Department of Health and considered to be mental health services for persons with so-called psychiatric disabilities as their primary disability.

MOBILE CRISIS UNITS: Medical team will make a home visit in case of psychiatric emergencies and evaluate for hospitalization.  This service is intended for people whose primary disability is psychiatric in nature, not individuals with developmental disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviors.

Interfaith Medical Center: 718-613-4000

South Beach Psychiatric Center: 718-946-2600

Gouverneur Hospital: 212-238-7313

Harlem Hospital: 212-939-3016/3331
Social Worker’s Office: 212-939-3330

Respite Center

315 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003

646-257-5665 ext. 8400

Designed as a “soft landing” alternative to inpatient hospitalization for individuals struggling with psychosis-related crisis, this short-term, peer-staffed center provides a supportive, home-like environment focused on hope, recovery, and rejuvenation.

Creedmor Hospital 718-464-7500 ext. 3350

Transitional Services 718-526- 8400

Catholic Charities 718-779-1234

Jewish Community Services 718-896-9090

Crisis Intervention Services
New York City Department of Health
93 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013

1-800-LIFENET

 

Project Help
227 Madison Street
New York, NY 10002

212-238-7777

Helping people with mental or physical disabilities. Crisis intervention for the homeless. Also provides hospitalization services.

Help Line 212-532-2400 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Samaritans of New York 212 673-3000 (24 Hours)