Parents & Families
Dear Parents,
On behalf of the staff at North East Westchester Special Recreation, Inc., I am happy to welcome you and your child to our agency. We are looking forward to introducing your child to new experiences and opportunities.
If you are brand new to our agency, please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an intake interview. We will need to know if your son/daughter has received eligibility from New York’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and if they are enrolled in Medicaid Waiver.
If your son/daughter has not received eligibility from OPWDD, we encourage you to begin the process as soon as possible. To begin this process or for more information, contact Westchester County’s regional office at (914)332-8957 or Matthew Faulkner at (914) 995-5253.
We want you to know that we will do our very best to help your child enjoy his/her time with us.
Don’t hesitate to call our office or email us if you should have any questions.
The wonderful North East staff and I feel privileged to be able to provide these programs to your child. We thank you for choosing us, supporting us and we look forward to working together.
Sincerely,
Ellie Arnemann
Executive Director
Participants’ Rights & Responsibilities
North East strives to provide quality programs for children, teens & adults with developmental disabilities. We provide our programs with the best interest of our participants in mind at all times.
All participants shall be given the respect & dignity that is extended to others regardless of race, religion, national origin, creed, age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, developmental disability or other handicap or health condition such as one tested for or diagnosed as having an HIV infection. In addition, there shall be no discrimination for these or any other reasons.
No person shall be deprived of any civil or legal right solely because of a diagnosis of developmental disability. North East will provide the participant with choices about the services they receive.
North East strives to provide quality programs for children, teens & adults with developmental disabilities. We provide our programs with the best interest of our participants in mind at all times.
All participants shall be given the respect & dignity that is extended to others regardless of race, religion, national origin, creed, age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, developmental disability or other handicap or health condition such as one tested for or diagnosed as having an HIV infection. In addition, there shall be no discrimination for these or any other reasons.
No person shall be deprived of any civil or legal right solely because of a diagnosis of developmental disability. North East will provide the participant with choices about the services they receive.
All participants have the right to:
- Be treated with respect & dignity
- Be assessed for services without any discrimination and according to their personal choices/interests and needs
- Have information, be part of decisions made about services they receive
- Receive services that are safe & of good quality
- Have their privacy respected & personal information kept confidential
- Have access to all personal information kept by North East
- Have another person of their choice to support them and advocate on their behalf
- Have their feedback listened to and comments valued
- Terminate or refuse a North East service without prejudicing their future access to a service
- Make a complaint if they are not happy with the service they receive
- A safe & sanitary environment
- Freedoms from physical or psychological abuse
- Freedom from corporal punishment
- Freedom from unnecessary use of restraint
- Protection from commercial or other exploitation
- Services including assistance & guidance from staff who are trained to administer services adequately, skillfully, safely and humanely, with full respect for the individual’s dignity & personal integrity
North East expects that participants will:
- Be honest, cooperative & courteous in their interactions with other participants and North East staff
- Be responsible for their choices and the results of any decisions they make
North East recognizes that all people are individuals and that at different times some will have varying levels of capacity to make decisions and exercise their rights. When a participant experiences difficulty in making decisions & exercising rights in relation to the service they receive, North East will be sensitive to their wishes & limitations & encourage the involvement of guardians and significant others, including an advocate to support them.
New York State & Westchester County
Special Needs Supports & Services
NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
44 Holland Avenue
Albany, NY 12229
Phone General Line: 1-866-946-9733
File Complaint: 1-866-946-9733
220 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-332-8960
Eligibility Coordinator: 914-995-5253
Front Door: 914-332-8957
NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs
Central Office: 518-549-0200
Report Abuse: 1-855-373-2122
Individual & Family Supports: 1-800-624-4143
Communication
North East Westchester Special Recreations strives to provide therapeutic recreational programs that provide participants with a positive experience. We want families to feel comfortable and confident when their loved ones are participating in our programs. Unfortunately, there may be times when someone has an issue, concern or complaint. North East hopes to resolve conflicts with an agreeable outcome for all parties. Complaints will be dealt with fairly, promptly and without retribution.
Individuals and/or families who have a concern, should reach out to the program’s supervisor (North East Full-time staff). Supervisors will try to resolve issues as quickly as possible.Don’t hesitate to call our office and speak to Program Director or Executive Director.