Quality Life Planning Services

At The Arc Otsego's Quality Life Planning Division, our goal is to assist you in obtaining the services, programs, and supports that help you fulfill your needs and achieve your dreams. We are here to listen, answer your questions, and find solutions. If The Arc Otsego offers what you need, we will identify it. If another organization has what you need, we will refer you. If neither exists, we will help create what you need. We can assist with obtaining a Care Coordination Organization, obtaining respite services, skill training assistance, environmental modifications, adaptive technologies, and guardianship. In addition, through self-directed services, we can assist you in building the supports and services that meet your unique needs and desires.

You Direct: Self-Directed Services

You Direct is the name of The Arc Otsego's Self-Directed Services program. Self-directed services are services and supports chosen by an individual or family to meet their particular needs. The individual chooses a mix of services that will work best for them, including the particular service, the staff providing supports, and the organization. The individual and/or family accepts responsibility for helping to manage their services, with support from The Arc Otsego's Brokerage and Fiscal Intermediary Services.

Community Services

Community Services are supports chosen by a person so that they may learn and keep skills needed to live safely and more independently, to meet people and maintain relationships, to explore and take part in the community, and to develop skills to meet individual outcomes. Supports can include skill development, support with activities of daily living, community inclusion and relationship building, training and support for independence in travel, transportation, adult education supports, development of social skills, leisure skills, self-advocacy, and informed choice skills.

Respite Services

Family members who care for a loved one with a developmental disability can sometimes need a break. Respite services provide temporary relief from the demands of caregiving, which can help reduce overall family stress. This enables families to better meet the needs of their loved one with a developmental disability. Respite services may also support the family caregiver if they have other emergent or developing needs to take care of.

Person-Centered Supports and Plan Development

Person-Centered Supports and Services are the result of using a person-centered planning approach to listen, discover, and understand each person and their outcomes and desires. This process is directed by each person and their support network, and informs what supports are needed to help him or her live a rich, fulfilling life. The planning process supports each person by building on their strengths, abilities, and interests, discovering their desired outcomes, and determining the supports and services needed to achieve those outcomes.

Guardianship

Guardianship is a planning alternative to ensure continuity of care for a family member who has an intellectual or other developmental disability. Guardianship is a legal proceeding in Surrogate's Court which designates a parent, relative, friend, or an organization such as The Arc New York (our parent organization) to act on behalf of an individual who has an intellectual disability and is unable to manage personal affairs without assistance. The Arc New York Corporate Guardianship program was established in 1970 and offers a permanent commitment to parents to ensure the continuity of care and protection for the entire life of their family member who has an intellectual disability.