Programs and Services

Our focus is in providing services to individuals in the seven counties of the Hudson Valley Region with epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and other developmental disabilities.

OUR SERVICES and programs are provided in New York State and Northern New Jersey, and include Service Coordination, Traumatic Brain Injury Program, Family Support, Home and Community Based Waiver Program, Independent Living Skills Training, Education and Training, and Vocational Services. It is our goal to assist all individuals who have a developmental disability in obtaining their optimal growth potential.

WITH OFFICES in Middletown in Orange County, as well as our main office in West Nyack in Rockland County, we are ideally situated to serve all seven lower New York counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester as well as Northern New Jersey.

Our goal is to improve one's quality of life and assist in reaching each person's optimal level of independence. Our services are provided in one's own home and within their community. These services include:

• Service Coordination
• Consumer Independence, Independent Living Skills Training (ILST),
  Residential Habilitation
• Vocational Services
• Counseling, Education and Training
• Structured Day Program

Service Coordination

Capabilities provides service coordination to individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, other developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. It is our goal to improve the quality of life of these individuals by providing the needed supports for optimal independence by:

• Providing advocacy and support to alleviate stress in the home
• Meeting with the individual and/or family to assist the person in navigating the service system such as Social Security, Department of Social Services, Medicaid, Medicare, OPWDD eligibility, DOH TBI waiver and VESID etc to make the necessary referrals
• Identifying Respite Information
• Locating social and recreational opportunities
• Assisting the individual/family by providing access to one or more of the following programs:
  • Medicaid Service Coordination
  • Home and Community Based Waiver
  • Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program
  • Family Support Programs (Includes non-Medicaid service coordination and Counseling)
  • Family Empowerment Fund

Each program has eligibility requirements for enrollment. Our programs are governed by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

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Consumer Independence
Including Independent Living Skills Training (ILST)
Residential Habilitation (ResHab)

Community Integration is a service approved through OPWDD's Home and Community Based Waiver Program and Independent Living Skills Training is through DOH’s Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program.

The aim of these programs is to teach independent living skills through an individualized plan of desired goals, including consideration of the following:

• Community Integration
• Budgeting
• Organization
• Food Preparation
• Other tasks that help the person become independent in their living environment
• This training may take place in the home, or through our specially designed Structured Day Program in our Program Center

All of our training is done in a practical, real-life environment, in the person’s own home and includes; food preparation, basic organization and planning, budgeting and financial issues.

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Vocational Services

Competitive and Supportive Employment programs prepare, support and assist potential employees with epilepsy and other disabilities to secure community employment. Capabilities provides employers with a competent, reliable workforce without cost.

Job Development/ Placement/ Supported work
What is Capabilities Employment Program?

What Do We Offer?

Supported Employment Contract

Capabilities provides intensive supported employment supports to individuals with a most significant disability. CPI staff assist consumers in achieving their vocational goals and maintaining success and stability in the workforce.

Pre-Vocational Supports

• resume and cover letter development
• interview skills training
• job search assistance
• social skills and “soft skills” training
• assistance in application submission
• guidance in follow up to employers
• arrange interviews
• goal clarification
• skill assessment

On-Site Supports

• on site job coaching/on site training
• implement accommodations and assist in utilization of natural supports
• provide education (to consumer or employer as needed)
• assist in consumer integration at the workplace

Extended Services
Follow along services provided including several on-site visits per month to consumer and contacts with employer

• assist consumer with job retention skills
• problem resolution
• advocacy
• assist in maintaining success in the workplace

Unified Contract Services* / Competitive Employment

*Unified Contract Services will be performed in accordance with the guidelines outlined by ACCES-VR

Assessment Services:
Assessment Level I - DVE
Assessment Level II - CBWA
Assessment Level III - Standardized Testing

Work Readiness Services:
Work Readiness I
Work Readiness II
Work Readiness III

Job Placement Services:
Job Placement Level I - Coaching Supports
Job Placement Level II - Direct Intake
Job Placement Level II - Job Seeking and Development Services
Job Placement Level II - (Day 1)
Job Placement Level II - Job Retention Services

Adjunct Services:
Mobility Training

NY Employment Solutions

NY Employment Solutions is a collaborative of four agencies to provide individualized employment services to individuals ages 18 to 65 with epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders who need assistance with their employment goals.

We serve individuals and families without regard to race, color, sex or national origin. This program is funded by the Kessler Foundation.

NY Employment Solutions will can provide services ranging from minimal support with resume writing and preparing for an interview to more intensive job coaching support. It's all up to you.

Possible services include:

• Person centered planning
• Skill building classes for specific skills like resume writing mock interviewing, and time management, etc.
• One-on-one job development and coaching
• Case management
• Support groups, stabilization on the work site and dealing with medication issues
• Support with legal/discrimination issues
• Where appropriate, assistance with ACCES-VR and Medicaid applications
• Follow-Up services for one year.

Interested in services or have more questions?
Visit our website, www.nyemploymentsolutions.org for more information and to schedule an appointment with an Employment Coordinator.

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Counseling

Counseling is provided by staff social workers to individuals and families. Various therapeutic interventions are used in the course of treatment.

Education and Training

Janice W. Gay Library

The Epilepsy Society of Southern New York’s library began with the research into epilepsy of our founder and CEO, Janice W. Gay, and the collection of those materials. The ESSNY library has grown into an extensive catalog that encompasses a wealth of information about epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and other topics of interest. Many of the books to be found here were donated and signed by the original authors or friends of the library. We have a lending library full of books and accredited journals to be explored which are arranged by categories and clearly labeled for the greatest ease of use. It includes an organized multi-media section with videos, DVD’s, and tapes to support equity and ease of access. We have many up to date brochures covering such information as agency services, medications, activities available in our service area, and many more! Our library strives to meet the ever-changing needs of all who visit it so please stop by and see us soon.

Epilepsy Education

The Education Department of ESSNY provides a wide variety of services aimed at communicating knowledge of epilepsy in a manner that is easily accessible to everyone. Our training includes up to date multimedia information with videos, overheads, and handouts.

Presentations include:

• Recognizing a seizure and appropriate first aid for school organizations, bus drivers and monitors, and camp and park facilities
• Information for corporations, agencies, and other non-profits
• Medications, psychosocial, and family issues for nurses, psychologists, and counselors

Our commitment to epilepsy education also includes:

• Consumer Advisory Council events and publications
• Professional Advisory Board seminars and treatment updates
• Volunteer programs
• Kids-On-The-Block Bunraku style puppet shows
• Regular adult epilepsy support groups
• Information and referral services available
• Community Integration Counseling

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Structured Day Program

CPI’s Structured Day Program mission is intended to afford individuals with TBI the opportunity to engage in meaningful life activities and increasing their self-esteem. The program will also encourage participant strengths, knowledge and talents to enhance/educate other members of the group. The program will provide support in all participants’ activities with the goal of increasing social and communicative skills.

We are approved to serve seven counties in the Hudson Valley Region, including Rockland, Dutchess, Orange, Westchester, Ulster, Putnam and Sullivan.

What do we offer?

The TBI Structured Day Program has been eveloped by the staff and participating individuals. This program is geared towards increasing independent living skills in both an in-house and community based setting. We will provide the following:

Community Integration

• Personal shopping
• Trips to parks
• Sporting events
• Trips to restaurants
• Volunteerism

Computer Skills

• Learn how to use a computer
• Internet and various programs
• Typing skills
• Internet Safety

Cooking and Household Skills

• Learn how to prepare a meal
• Learn how to do laundry

Socialization

• Gain meaningful relationships with peers
• Meet new people in the community

Academics

• Reading and writing skills
• Budgeting and math skills
• Organizational skills
• Following a schedule and directions

Exercise Opportunities

• Dance and aerobics
• Participate in Sports
• Access to local parks
• Wii Fit

Health and Safety Training

• Emergency training
• Safety in the community

If you are interested in learning more about the Structured Day Program, please contact Tommy Fiore at 845-627-0627, ext.120 or Erin Drury, ext. 144.

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