Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As we work together to navigate this public health crisis, it has become clear that now more than ever, easily accessible, timely and accurate communication is vital to our continued success. Today I write to inform you that the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities has significantly improved our ability to communicate with the people we support, and all of our partners, with the launch of our new website that officially went live today at opwdd.ny.gov.
OPWDD’s new website better equips the people we support, their families, and our providers with the information they need about services and supports, care management, guidance, and training opportunities. The site features the same look, feel and usability of the ny.gov official state website by featuring streamlined information about programs and services as well as improved search function, navigation, accessibility and design.
The new site is also now mobile-friendly and links to the state’s robust navigation tool that enables visitors to bookmark services that interest them and later return to the page using the My Services feature.
Our success depends upon our ability to attract and retain a dedicated workforce including an ample and steady supply of caring and committed direct support professionals (DSPs), and that is especially true during the current health crisis. The website’s emphasis on employment opportunities will help bolster our agency’s recruitment efforts.
We are looking forward to increased opportunities for communication with you. Your feedback about the new website is extremely important to us. Please contact our communications staff at [email protected] if you have questions or want to share your thoughts about the new site.
Sincerely,
Theodore A. Kastner, MS, MD
Commissioner