NY Connects was implemented to promote seamless access to long-term care services and supports for individuals of all ages and all abilities, to enable them to remain at home and in the community, and to provide services and support for caregivers. 
 
NY Connects is a locally based "No Wrong Wrong Door" system that provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance for individuals of all ages, all abilities, caregivers, and older adults needing long-term services and supports. 
 
 In 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was initiated between Washington County Office for Aging and the Department of Social Services. The partnership between both departments allows individuals of all ages to go to a single place to seek out information and assistance they are searching for. This "No Wrong Door" structure gives us a greater capacity to respond to the growing need and diversity of information and assistance requests.

NY Connects provides an online Resource Directory for programs and providers of long-term services and supports. The searchable directory provides up to date information about the different types of services available and contact information for local programs. NY Connects' staff can help link individuals to long-term services and support, such as home care, transportation, and meals. The goal is to help individuals live as independently as possible, while meeting their medical, social, and functional needs. 
 Disabling Conditions may be attributed to:
              Physical Health Needs
              Behavioral Health Needs (Mental Health and
                     Substance use disorders)
               Intellectual / Developmental Disorders (ID/DD)

NY Connects Can Assist with the Following:

Caregiver Supports

Information and assistance about services and supports available to caregivers to meet identified needs and assist in making informed decisions.

Community Check Program

Washington County Office for Aging (OFA) works with Mobile Health Care System (MHCS), Community Check Program (CCP). The Community Check Program brings specially trained Emergency Medical Technicians at the advanced and basic levels into your home to collect assessment data that your primary care physician can use to better manage your overall health. The goal of these wellness checks are to reduce risk of illness and injury that can be prevented. OFA, with NY Connects, is an informational and referral source for the Community Check Program's front-line workers. For further information click on the following link: Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad MHCS/CCP .

Evidenced Based Health and Wellness Interventions

As a result of rigorous research and clinical trials, there are evidenced based programs proven to effectively improve the health of older adults.

NY Connects will provide information about services and programs to empower individuals to adopt healthy behaviors, improve health status and manage chronic diseases better.

Information & Assistance of a Full Range of Long Term Care Services and Supports

Medical and non-medical services provided over a long period of time that help to maintain or improve daily functioning and health. Through a standardized comprehensive screening process, local NY Connects Information and Assistance Specialist provide personalized counseling to help consumers make informed decisions. They can assist in accessing available long-term services and support options to meet existing or future long-term services and support needs. Services may be provided at home, in community-based settings, or residential settings such as Assisted living Residents, or in nursing homes.  People in need of long term services and supports can include older adults, children and adults with disabilities.

North Country Health Heart Network

The goal of the referral program is for health care providers to identify individuals at risk of developing a chronic disease or diagnosed with a chronic disease, such as diabetes, and refer that individual to NY Connects. When a NY Connects Information Specialist receives the referral they contact that individual and assist them with enrolling in a six-week virtual chronic disease support program.  

 GetHealthyNoCo.org is a one-stop shop for those looking to enroll in local workshops and wellness programs to help them prevent or better manage diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic diseases.

Get Healthy North Country is administered by the North Country Care Coordination Coalition, a network of health care providers, public health agencies, and nonprofits working to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic diseases across northern New York. This region-wide system aims to ensure that there is enough lifesaving programs offered so that anyone interested or referred will be able to access them. Visit our website to learn more and enroll today.

Options Counseling/Person-Centered Counseling (OC/PCC)

Option Counseling/Person-Centered Counseling (OC/PCC) is based on the core values of individual choice, direction, and control. OC/PCC is also based on the principle of ensuring people have enough support to experience typical, inclusive, and preferred opportunities in a culturally relevant way.

Streamlined Eligibility screening for Public Benefits Access

Your Single Point of Entry for consumers attempting to navigate the complexities of the Long Term Care system

Online Resource Directory