Dear Friends and Colleagues:
With input from individuals, families, advocates, nonprofit providers, and direct care staff, OPWDD has been reengineering how we offer services to people in order to promote the awareness and choice of service options for individuals and families, with a particular emphasis on self-direction, employment, and community integration. This is known as our Front Door initiative.
Individuals who are seeking services for the first time or who are interested in modifying current services will be the first to use this new process. The new Front Door has already been piloted in some areas of the state, with system-wide implementation expected in June 2013.
The Front Door builds on the philosophy of self-determination and person-centered planning, and the understanding that people with developmental disabilities have the right to enjoy meaningful relationships with family, friends, and others in their lives; experience personal growth; fully participate in their communities; and live in the home of their choice. The process was designed to improve the way people learn about and access available service options while giving individuals as many opportunities as possible to direct their own service plan.
The Front Door process guides an individual through eligibility determination, assessment, identification of service needs, service authorization, and implementation. This initiative is essential to helping us achieve the outcomes associated with our Road to Reform transformation goals and will further our mission of helping people with developmental disabilities live richer lives.
To learn more about the Front Door, please visit our website or contact your OPWDD regional office eligibility coordinator.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.