Welcome to the new AccessCNY website! We are excited for you to look around! One change you may have already noticed is that services are now listed by age instead of program area. Our hope is this change makes it easier for you to find and sign up for services that help you and your loved ones.
If you have questions or encounter any issues using the new site, please let us know at info@accesscny.org
Program Finder
Berkana Crisis Respite
Berkana House is an innovative short-term residential program that helps adults experiencing a mental health crisis. While staying at Berkana each person receives their own private room and access to the shared living spaces. More importantly, guests have 24/7 access to our certified peer specialists- specially trained employees who have completed their own mental health […]
Bridge Services
AccessCNY’s Bridge Services help connect current AccessCNY participants with staff advocates who can provide emotional and logistical support in pursuing personal goals. Our staff can provide support with goals both big and small, including: Obtaining Social Security Insurance (SSI), Medicaid and other entitlements Applying for housing subsidies (section 8) Finding local doctors and mental health professionals […]
Community Habilitation
AccessCNY’s Community Habilitation services help adults with developmental disabilities develop the skills they need to live, work and play independently in our community. Working one-on-one with a staff member known as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), individuals enrolled in Community Habilitation choose community (or home) based activities that are both fun and can help them […]
Community Oriented Recovery & Empowerment (CORE) Services
AccessCNY’s Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) services help individuals with a serious mental health and/or substance use disorders to meet their recovery goals, such as finding a job, going to school, socializing or living more independently. CORE Services for Adults
Community Support Services
AccessCNY’s Community Support Services (CSS) helps adults with mental health diagnoses build confidence and comfort while being involved in the community. With the help of CSS staff, each person starts the program by identifying both their strengths and the areas they would like to grow. Then participants and staff work together to set personal goals and develop a plan to: Build their own […]
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA)
AccessCNY’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program helps individuals take control of their personal care and home care needs. With the support of AccessCNY staff, CDPA participants screen, hire, train and supervise personal assistants (PAs) to help with important activities of daily living (ADL). A major benefit to the CDPA program – sometimes also referred to as Consumer Directed […]
David Clark Learning Center
Since 1995 the David Clark Learning Center (DCLC) has provided high quality day programming for adults with acquired brain injuries (ABI), sometimes referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The center is open five days per week and provides a variety of opportunities and supports for ABI survivors. As a member driven program, the participants at the DCLC decide […]
Day Habilitation
AccessCNY’s Day Habilitation program (also known as Community Networks or Networks) is for adults with developmental disabilities who want to build life skills and explore their interests alongside their peers. Together with staff, the group chooses activities that help build independent living and relationship skills. The program is also designed to build knowledge on how to effectively advocate for oneself. Networks participants […]
DD/ABI Housing
Since 1982 AccessCNY’s DD/ABI Housing services have empowered adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries to live independently in our community. We believe that every person deserves the freedom to determine what their “best life” looks like and be supported in pursuing it. The staff in our residences are trained to help individuals set goals and develop/maintain the various skills needed […]
Employment Services
Since 1986 AccessCNY’s Supported Employment programs have been helping individuals with a developmental disability and/or a mental health diagnosis find and succeed in jobs they enjoy. Each job seeker in the program is paired with an employment consultant who will be an ally and resource during the job search and first weeks of employment. While looking for a job, our employment consultants can help with: […]
Environmental Modifications
AccessCNY’s Environmental Modifications (aka E-Mods) program helps individuals make their homes and/or workplaces more accessible. Our adaptive technicians know that the proper accommodations can make daily living easier and allow for maximum independence. E-Mods staff are available to evaluate a space, design a plan to make it more accessible and then oversee its construction. Past projects have included: To complete larger projects the adaptive […]
Family Support & Education Center
The Family Support and Education Center at AccessCNY supports individuals with a mental health diagnosis and their families, friends and caregivers. Services are designed to help caregivers cope with the pain, frustration, bewilderment and stigma that often accompany mental health diagnoses. We offer a free 12-week Supportive Family Training course several times a year. This class […]
Family Support Services
AccessCNY’s Family Support Services (FSS) help individuals with developmental disabilities and their families get the supports they need to live safely and happily in the community. Click on each service below to learn more about it. Unless otherwise noted, all FSS services require eligibility from the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). If you do not […]
Mental Health HCBS Services
AccessCNY’s Mental Health Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) help empower individuals with a mental health diagnosis to build independence and get involved in their community. Click on any of our services below to learn more. Mental Health HCBS Services
Mental Health Housing Services
AccessCNY’s Mental Health Housing program offers several types of housing for adults with a mental health diagnosis. Each of our programs provides a different level of support, but all of them are designed to be flexible enough to meet changing needs and goals. Read about AccessCNY’s Mental Health Housing options below: Congregate Residences: Homes or […]
Mental Health Outreach Education
Mental health outreach provides education around mental health diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and support to anyone seeking to understand and support people experiencing mental illness. Through consultation with AccessCNY staff, trainings are individually tailored to meet the needs and time limitations of each group. Current Training Offerings All offerings can be modified to meet the goals […]
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of clinical therapy that focuses on improving the strength, flexibility and dexterity of small muscles like those in the fingers, wrists and hands (known as fine motor skills). For a child, this may mean working with an OT on hand strength so that they can hold a pencil correctly. For adults, occupational therapy often […]
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy (PT) can provide a wide variety of benefits for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, including: Increased strength and endurance Improved balance and coordination Better range of motion Less pain At AccessCNY the physical therapy process starts with an evaluation, where one of our physical therapists (PTs) will learn about an individual’s goals and evaluate their […]
Respite Services
AccessCNY’s Spaulding Respite program provide a safe place for individuals with developmental disabilities to relax, explore their interests and connect with the community… all while giving parents/caregivers time to recharge themselves. The program provides regular respite opportunities in small groups. AccessCNY pre-screens every person before they come to the respite program so staff can place […]
Self Direction Services
AccessCNY’s Self Direction Services empower adults with developmental disabilities to customize their supports and services to meet their unique needs. With the support of family and friends, Self Direction participants take control of important decisions such as what support staff to hire, which services to receive and how to allocate money from their budget. Watch […]
Sensory Integration Therapy
Jump To: About the Sensory System | About AccessCNY’s Integration Therapy | One Time Evaluations About the Sensory Systems: We all experience life through our senses. More specifically, our brains gather input from seven sensory systems. Click on each sense/sensory system below to learn more about it. Taste (gustatory) Smell (olfactory) Sight (visual) Hearing (auditory) Touch (tactile) […]
Speech & Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy helps people of all ages communicate better and understand information more easily. It usually focuses on improving two types of skills: Speech Skills- The ability to make the right sound and use the voice fully without straining Language & Communication Skills- The ability to understand information when others are talking and the ability […]
Supported Education
AccessCNY’s Supported Education program helps individuals with mental health diagnoses to identify and achieve their educational goals. From GEDs to college degrees, our staff are eager to help you determine the next step in your educational journey. For most people, the first step of the Supported Education process is to decide which school/degree/certificate/etc. aligns best with their […]
TRAID Center
The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disability (TRAID) Center is AccessCNY’s assistive technology lending library. The TRAID Center’s primary mission is to increase access to assistive technology and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and augmentative communication devices. TRAID accomplishes this goal by providing short term equipment loans at no cost; individuals simply borrow items, use […]
Trauma Recovery Support
AccessCNY’s Healing the Heart trauma recovery program offers on-going support to people recovering and healing from trauma, especially sexual abuse. Work is done largely in group settings, where individuals can find community and support. Group activities include weekly discussion meetings and shorter topic-based lectures. In addition to the group work, AccessCNY can help connect participants with additional services such as counseling, […]
Unique Peerspectives
What is Unique Peerspectives? Located in Downtown Syracuse, Unique Peerspectives is a safe and convenient place for individuals who want to improve their mental health to gather and find support. At UP, everyone works side by side to determine and pursue their goals… and this includes the staff! UP’s staff are all certified peer specialists, […]
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