New York State recently established this new program to provide independent, conflict-free Ombudsman services to assist individuals with developmental Persons with Developmental Disabilities. The Community Services Society of New York operates this new program in partnership with the New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYLPI). This program is a major new resource for this very vulnerable population and human services providers & advocates need to become familiar with the assistance and resources they provide.

In this session you will learn about: • The new Ombudsman statewide network to identify, investigate, refer, and resolve complaints related to access to or delivery of services. • Assistance for people with developmental disabilities and their family member’s education on services and rights, help with eligibility paperwork and access records, assistance with complaints, grievances or fair hearings and connection to legal services when needed. • Assistance available to report abuse or neglect to the Justice Center. • Comprehensive community education to increase awareness and use of ombuds services by people with developmental disabilities. • Efforts to collect and analyze data on ombuds program activities and use that information to support ongoing quality assurance and improvement activities. • The new IDDO Toll Free Helpline.

Speaker: Flor Ramirez, Supervising Attorney, Community Services Society of New York To register for the ZOOM Webinar event: visit our website at www.nysenior.org To connect via phone: 646-558-8656, Webinar ID: 815 1428 5283#