The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) Open Doors Transition Center is focused on assisting people living in nursing homes and intermediate care facilities to receive individualized home and community based services. This includes providing people with objective information about services and supports that are available in their local community. NYAIL was selected by the Department of Health to coordinate the Open Doors Transition Center Project as part of State's Money Follows the Person (MFP) program.
The Open Doors Transition Center assists people in nursing homes who wish to return to the community. The Transition Center is staffed by a Project Director, a Statewide Transition Specialist, two part-time Registered Nurses (RNs) and a Social Worker. NYAIL works with 9 Regional Lead ILCs and 14 Auxiliary Independent Living Centers (ILCs) -- see below for a list of these ILCs. These ILCs employ Transition Specialists (TS), who are familiar with the services available in the local community. These staff will meet with individuals residing in nursing homes and/or their family members. For individuals in nursing homes, the TS will identify what is needed for the person to return to the community and will assist in getting those needs met. For example, a common barrier to returning to community living is lack of housing. It is difficult for a resident in a nursing home to locate housing that meets their physical needs, and is affordable and available. The TS can search for housing via housing databases, as well as use their personal knowledge of local assets such as senior housing programs. If needed, the TS can then access environmental modification programs to ensure the home is accessible for the individual. The TS can also assist with accessing housing subsidies if the rent exceeds the individual's budget. Additionally, the TS can provide community preparedness education to ensure that individuals have the information/skills they will need immediately upon return to the community. The TS role and process is tailored to the specific needs and desires of each individual, and is designed to make the transition happen in the smoothest and quickest way possible. The Transition Center works closely with the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waivers to provide services that will support people in the community.
The Open Doors Transition Center also works closely with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). OPWDD will be actively assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in moving from developmental centers (DCs), Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), and nursing homes into private homes, apartments, or community residential settings. Some individuals will move out of ICFs and DCs, while others may remain living in their current location, but will experience greater community integration as ICFs (which follow an institutional program model) convert to Individual Residential Alternatives (IRAs). Transition Specialists will meet with these individuals and/or their family members/advocates. The TS can assist with selecting a Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC) who will best meet the individual's needs. The TS can assist and ensure that the individual has the skills and supports he/she needs to be ready for the community. The TS will also participate with the treatment team in creating a person centered plan that promotes independence and meaningful community involvement.
Anyone can make a referral to the Open Doors Transition Center. The Transition Center Referral Form (available for download below) can be completed and sent to the Regional Contact listed in the chart below. Referrals can also be made by calling NYAIL's Transition Center Hotline at 844-545-7108, via fax to 518-465-4625, or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information:
Suzanne de Beaumont
Project Director
MFP Transition Center
155 Washington Ave, Suite 208
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: (844) 545-7108
Documents available for download:
For more information:
Suzanne de Beaumont
Project Director
MFP Transition Center
155 Washington Ave, Suite 208
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: (844) 545-7108
Documents available for download:
Open Doors (MFP) Transition Center Regional Contacts |
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Regional Counties |
Contact Information |
Auxiliary Independent Living Centers |
| Albany North Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Warren, Washington |
Ashley Jarvis Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center (SAIL) 71 Glenwood Ave Queensbury, NY 12804 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 518-792-3537 x 312 Fax: 518-792-0979 |
North Country Center for Independence, Plattsburgh |
| Albany South Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie |
Debbie Abreu Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV) 15-17 Third Street Troy, NY 12180 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 518-274-0701 x 108 Fax: 518-274-7944 |
Capital District Center for Independence, Albany |
| Buffalo Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming |
Gerilyn Capps Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL) 3108 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14214 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 716-284-4131 Fax: 716-284-3230 |
Southwestern Independent Living Center, Jamestown |
| Long Island Nassau, Suffolk |
Michelle Darling- Downs/ Eileen Thomas Tel: (631) 880-7929 x 105 |
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| Lower Hudson Valley Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester |
Tracy Marcus Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS) (A Satellite Office of Westchester Independent Living Center, Inc.) 1441 Route 22, Suite 240 Brewster, NY 10509 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 845-228-7457 x 1129 Fax: 845-228-7460 |
Resource Center for Accessible Living, Kingston 845-624-1366 Taconic Resources for Independence, Poughkeepsie Kathy Sheehan: 845-452-3913 Westchester Disabled on the Move, Yonkers Yaw Adu Appiadu: 914-968-4717 |
| New York City Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond |
Dickey Dolma Lama Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) 80-02 Kew Gardens Road Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 646-368-8034 Fax: 347-561-4883 |
Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Brooklyn Staten Island Center for Independent Living |
| Rochester Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates |
Susan Stahl Center for Disability Rights (CDR) 497 State Street Rochester, NY 14608 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 585-546-7510 Fax: 585-546-7542 |
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| Southern Tier Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins |
Krystal Pierre- Millien Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC) 135 East Frederick St. Binghamton, NY 13904 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 607-724-2111 Fax: 607-772-3606 |
AIM Independent Living Center, Corning |
| Syracuse Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, St. Lawrence, Jefferson |
Juanita Clark-Abolafia ARISE Independent Living Center 635 James Street Syracuse,NY13203 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 315-671-2948 Fax: 315-671-2977 |
Massena Independent Living Center, Massena Tina Laflesh: 315-764-9442 Resource Center for Independent Living, Utica Maxine Nasby: 315-797-4642 |