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, caregivers, and helping professionals. 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) that connects callers with local offices by county. Additionally, there is an online resource directory of providers of long-term services and supports that provides 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, service 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.

Person-Centered Options Counseling – This is an interactive, goal driven 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.

NY Connects enables individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose options that 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:

• Streamline access to information and assistance on long-term services and supports,
• Reduce fragmentation in service delivery through better coordination across multiple systems using a person-centered approach,
• Empower individuals to make informed choices and support independent living through the provision of objective information and assistance.

NY Connects links individuals to long-term services and supports regardless of payment source/health insurance; 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 in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health. 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. In 2010, NY Connects was significantly expanded and enhanced through New York’s participation in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Balancing Incentive Program supported by funding from Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. To date, there have been 3.2 million contacts to the NY Connects system.