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, a Registered Nurse (RN), 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, that 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:
Regional Lead and Auxiliary Contacts
Open Doors (MFP) Transition Center Regional Contacts |
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Regional Counties |
Contact Information |
Auxiliary Independent Living Centers |
Albany North
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RL April Easton 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 Fax: 518-792-0979
Mylina Prunier Cheryl Leonard |
North Country Center for Independence, Plattsburgh Christina Walton
518-563-9058,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SAIL, Queensbury Education & Outreach:
Amy Wittenberg,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Albany South
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RL Jose Villaneva Alexandra (Alley) King
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alfieda (Frieda) Walker
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Capital District Center for Independence, Albany 518-459-6422 Starcy Sanchez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ILCHV, Troy Education & Outreach:
Pat Pfeifer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Buffalo
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RL Gerilyn Capps-Anderson Gerard Dushimimana
716-836-0822 ext.193
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Southwestern Independent Living Center, Jamestown David Marg
716-484-4145
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WNYIL, Batavia Sally Waldron
585-815-8501, ext. 416,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Education & Outreach:
Bryant Pugh
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Long Island
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RL Kelly-Rae Douglas Assistant RL, Sarah Cihlar |
SILO, Medford
Kiersten Falcone
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Royel Brennin
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kaitlin Perrino
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Admin - Eileen Thomas
Education and Outreach:
Amanda Romahn
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Lower Hudson Valley
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RL Regina Martin Michael Melendez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Edith Martinez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shayna Baxter
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Education & Outreach:
John Dolan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Resource Center for Accessible Living, Kingston 845-331-0541 Elaine Serrur Brooklyn Johnson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Rockland Independent Living Ctr. (BRIDGES), West Nyack 845-624-1366 Kaitlyn Scilla
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Taconic Resources for Independence, Poughkeepsie Maria Mignone This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Kathy Sheehan
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
845-452-3913
Westchester Disabled on the Move, Yonkers 914-968-4717
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New York City
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Dheki Lama Main: 646-849-8306 Admin - Ashley Francis
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Qiana Hankins
646-849-8204,
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Fred Horlback
646-849-8318,
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Isunami Suero
347-955-7417,
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Sherina Lawes
347-839-8930,
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Ifeoma Okoba
646-515-8074,
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Benjamin Thariath
646-436-4302,
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Francys Nunez
929-519-4367,
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Bathsheba Davis
929-498-3765,
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Domonique Clay
347-972-1227 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Brooklyn 718-998-3000
Mehak Rizvi
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Yvette Wilson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronx Independent Living Services, Bronx 718-515-2800
Mariah Sepulveda
929-523-2335
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lisa Rivera
929-502-7333
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Natasha Davis
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Staten Island Center for Independent Living, Staten Island 718-720-9016 Michelle Sabatino - Exec. Dir.
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Eric Sogomonian
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Samuel Greenberg
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CIDNY, New York Education & Outreach: Zachary Borodkin
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Troy Scott
929-484-7243 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Rochester
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RL Ann Kaplow Julie Shengulette
585-546-7510 ext. 3235
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Manager Transition and Diversions:
Susan Stahl
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CDR, Rochester Education & Outreach: Damita Peace |
Southern Tier
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RL Marcy Donahue
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 ext. 391
Fax: 607-772-3606
Education & Outreach:
Matthew Lee
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
AIM Independent Living Center, Corning Melissa Bedient
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Genevieve Vaughn
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
607-962-8225
Access to Independence, Cortland Terri Rigge
607-753-7363
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Catskill Center for Independence, Oneonta Heather Merrill
607-432-8000
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Syracuse
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RL Juanita Clark-Abolafia
ARISE Independent Living Center
635 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 315-671-2948
Fax: 315-671-2977
Joanna Ginnick
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ARISE Independent Living Center, Auburn 315-604-4050
518-491-4901 Massena Independent Living Center, Massena Lauren Mason Resource Center for Independent Living, Utica Dawnmarie Puleo This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Becky Vanderwood This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
315-797-4642
315-738-2774
ARISE Independent Living Center, Syracuse
Education & Outreach:
Tedd Stiles
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Open Doors staff at NYAIL 518-465-4650 |
Suzanne de Beaumont
Project Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Laura Bingell
Transition Center Nurse
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Laurie Carter
Statewide SW Coordinator
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Tami Loya
Education and Outreach Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sara Morris
NYC TS Liaison
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Michele Pedersen
Statewide TS Liaison
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Lesley Kelder
Statewide/TS Liaison
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Josephine Todaro
Good Neighbor Program Director
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Katy Bell
Peer Director
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Michelle Darling-Downs
Statewide Peer/TS Liaison This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |