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, 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:
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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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, Anthony Lemise, |
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 Whittenberg,
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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Maggie Hayes Kale Berard,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Capital District Center for Independence, Albany 518-459-6422 Stacy 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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Gerilyn Capps-Anderson TBD,
716-836-0822 ext.193
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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 Danielle Dispenza,
585-815-8501, ext. 410,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Education & Outreach:
TBD
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Long Island
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Michelle Darling-Downs |
SILO, Medford
Lisa Coady,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Kiersten Falcone,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sarah Meyer,
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.
Admin - Eileen Thomas,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education & Outreach:
Martha Vargas,
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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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.
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Resource Center for Accessible Living, Kingston 845-331-0541 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 845-452-3913 Vanessa Dubetsky,
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.
Westchester Disabled on the Move, Yonkers Clydia Edwards,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
914-968-4717
PILS, Brewster Education & Outreach:
Julie Greenwood,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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New York City
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Dheki Lama Main: 646-442-1520 Admin - Ashley Francis,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Qiana Hankins,
646-849-8204,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fred Horlback,
646-849-8318,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Isunami Suero (On leave 3/20/2022+),
347-955-7417,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sherina Lawes (On leave 12/1/2021+),
347-839-8930,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ifeoma Okoba,
646-515-8074,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kevin Roberson,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Benjamin Thariath,
646-436-4302,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Francys Nunez,
929-519-4367,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bathsheba Davis,
929-498-3765,
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
Kadijah Overton,
914-370-4021,
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 Michelle Sabatino - Exec. Dir.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sharon Jackson,
929-216-2784,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Samuel Greenberg,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CIDNY, New York Education & Outreach: Karilyn Nieves,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Troy Scott,
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Rochester
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Ann Kaplow Julie Shengulette
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Manager Transition and Diversions:
Susan Stahl,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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CDR, Rochester Education & Outreach: Damita Peace |
Southern Tier
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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
Noelle Valla,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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AIM Independent Living Center, Corning Nicole Cansdale,
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,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catskill Center for Independence, Oneonta Heather Merrill,
607-432-8000,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
STIC, Binghamton
Education & Outreach:
Maegan Berliner,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Syracuse
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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
Bo Johnson,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
315-671-2990
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ARISE Independent Living Center, Auburn Kim Amidon
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
315-255-3447
Massena Independent Living Center, Massena 315-764-9442 Resource Center for Independent Living, Utica Rebekah O'Brien
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
315-624-2523
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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MFP/Open Doors Nurse |
Laura Bingell
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
518-491-4901
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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.
Laurie Carter,
Statewide SW Coordinator,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michele Pedersen,
Statewide TS Liaison,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Katy Bell,
Peer Director,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lesley Kelder
Statewide Peer/TS Liaison,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Josephine Todaro,
Good Neighbor Program Director,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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