NY Connects: Your Link to Long Term Services and Supports

NY Connects is a locally based No Wrong Door (NWD) system that provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance on long term services and supports for people of all ages or with any type of disability. The NY Connects NWD System is administered through a collaboration between the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS), and six regionally contracted Independent Living Centers (ILCs). NY Connects consists of the following fundamental components:

Information and Assistance – Local NY Connects programs provide Information and Assistance on available long term services and supports options to the older population, individuals of all ages with disabilities, and caregivers. Information and Assistance is available in various ways including telephone access, face to face meetings in the community, or email. NY Connects can also be accessed through its statewide telephone number (800-342-9871), which connects callers with local offices by county. Additionally, there is an online resource directory of providers of long term services and supports, information about the different types of such services, and contact information for the local programs. 

Public Education – Advertising, marketing, and promotion activities are conducted to increase the visibility of NY Connects and alleviate the misconception that long term services and supports can be delivered only in institutional settings.

Long Term Care Councils – Long Term Care Councils in each participating county are made up of consumers, caregivers, providers, advocates, government representatives (AAA directors, DSS commissioners), and key stakeholders (including Independent Living Centers) who come together to analyze the local long term services and supports system, identify gaps, duplication, and barriers in the system and make recommendations for improvements. The Councils use their findings to work toward a system that is more streamlined, efficient, and responsive, helping individuals remain at home and in the community.

Options Counseling/Person-Centered Counseling – This is an interactive, person-centered process whereby individuals are supported in making informed long term support decisions based on their preferences, strengths, values, abilities, and resources. It includes exploring options, assisting with accessing supports/services, and following-up with the individual, and may result in the development of an action plan.

Main Concepts and features of the No Wrong Door Screen - July 31, 2015

January 2012 - The "County Data Book: Selected Characteristics (2011) has been prepared by the New York State Office for the Aging to provide frequently requested information about selected demographic characteristics, including projections to the year 2040. The County Data Book provides state-level information and county-specific information for each county in New York. In addition, these data are developed statewide, so the opportunity exists to compare and contrast local areas with the entire state. These data may be used for a variety of purposes, which may include: budget planning, advocacy, and community empowerment activities; service awareness, information, and outreach; and partnership and coalition building.

NY Connects empowers individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose what will best meet their needs at home, in the community and, as necessary, in residential or institutional settings. NY Connects is driven by the following primary goals:

• To engage in planning and collaboration to support and improve access to an integrated long term services and supports delivery system.
• To sustain and enhance a NY Connects NWD System that serves individuals and caregivers in need of long term services and supports through the operation of core functions in a manner that supports their independence and self-determination.
• To evaluate the visibility and effectiveness of NY Connects in serving individuals and caregivers in need of long term services and supports, as well as the impact of NY Connects on the local system of long term services and supports.

NY Connects links individuals to long term services and supports regardless of payment source; whether it be private pay, public or a combination of both. Through the provision of free, comprehensive, objective information and assistance about long term services and supports, NY Connects empowers individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose what will best meet their needs at home, in the community, and as necessary, in residential or institutional settings.

NY Connects was established in 2006 by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health. To date, there have been more than one million contacts to the NY Connects system. NY Connects complies with federal statute as prescribed by the 2006 Amendments to the Older Americans Act and is recognized by the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Administration on Community Living (ACL) as an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). In 2007, NY Connects was statutorily mandated through section 203(8) of the New York State Elder Law. NY Connects State Program Standards