Crisis Navigator
I need respite this week
Emergency respite is hard but possible. Start with OPWDD Family Support, your county DD office, and the NYS Caregiving & Respite Coalition simultaneously — don't wait on any one call.
In the next hour
- Call OPWDD's Front Door if you don't have a Care Manager: 1-866-946-9733.
- Call your Care Manager directly and use the word 'crisis' if you're at one.
This week
- Contact your county's OPWDD Family Support Services office.
- Search ARCH Respite Locator for in-home and overnight providers in your county.
- Reach your local Area Agency on Aging for caregiver-directed respite funds.
- Ask Parent to Parent of NYS to match you with a parent who's done this in your area.
Phone numbers
- OPWDD Front Door866-946-9733
- Parent to Parent of NYS800-305-8817
- NYS Office for the Aging800-342-9871
What to say (script)
I am the caregiver for [name], age [age], with [diagnosis]. We need respite [overnight / in-home / weekend] starting [date] because [reason]. We are [enrolled / not enrolled] in OPWDD services. Can you tell me what is available this week and what I need to do today to access it?Browse full scripts library →
Documents to gather
- ✓OPWDD eligibility letter (if you have one)
- ✓Life Plan
- ✓Diagnosis / medical summary
- ✓Medication list
- ✓Insurance / Medicaid card