1. Office for People with Developmental Disabilities What are developmental disabilities? Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, and other neurologically based impairments. In addition: the disability must have occurred prior to the person’s 22nd birthday; the disability must cause significant deficits in the individual’s adaptive functioning; the disability must be expected to continue indefinitely.

2. What is required for a person to be eligible for OPWDD services? This is what the New York State Mental Hygiene Law requires in order to be eligible for OPWDD services: 1) The presence of a developmental disability that is described by certain qualifying diagnoses, or conditions 2) The disability has occurred before the person reached age twenty-two 3) The disability can be expected to continue indefinitely, or permanently 4) The disability causes a substantial handicap to a person’s ability to function normally in society

4. Step 2 Speak with the parents to determine if they would like to pursue eligibility. If yes, proceed to Step 3 Step 3 -Make sure testing is completed according to OPWDD requirements (types of tests and within 12 months) Step 4 -If new testing supports eligibility requirements, refer to ‘Ways to refer an individual to the DDRO’

5. OPWDD - example NAMEGRADEReevalDisability Vineland Date-Score IQ Date - Score Testing needed Y/N Jose12 3/17 ID2/10 – 69 Yes – exiting this year Marielena10 4/16 ID5/07 – 585/07 - 69Yes Jose8 1/16Autism4/12 – 794/12 - 66 No - adaptive too high Carlos10 5/17 ID11/11 – 6511/11 – 61Yes in 2017 Ricardo121/16 ID11/12 - 5711/12 - 68Yes Juan8 1/17 TBI1/11 – 641/11 – 61Yes in 2017 Testing those students shaded in green for this school

6. Please keep me informed throughout the process regarding: Students referred Students found eligible Students denied Students not referred and brief reason why (ie. parents refused; Adaptive score above 70) Students who have been previously determined eligible

7. My Information Email: pamelaj.sacchitella@rcsdk12.org Phone: 324-9770 ext.2330