The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is an executive agency in the state of New York, whose mission is to provide services and conduct research for those with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It is one of New York State’s largest agencies, with a mandate to provide services and supports to more than 130,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and leads a workforce of more than 22,000 direct support staff, clinicians, nurses, researchers and other professionals throughout the state. It operates 13 Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSO) which operate group homes for the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in its care. Prior to July 2010, the agency was named the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). [1] [2]
The agency is based in Albany, New York at 44 Holland Avenue. [3]
History
The agency that would become the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities was created in 1978 as the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The agency was established in response to the 1972 Willowbrook State School exposé, lawsuit, and subsequent Consent Decree of 1975. [4]
List of commissioners
| Name | Dates in Office | Governors Served | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Coughlin III | 1978 - 1980 [5] | Hugh Carey | OMRDD's first Commissioner. |
| James E Introne | 1980 - 1982 | Hugh Carey | |
| Zymond L. Slezak | 1982 - 1983 | Hugh Carey | |
| Arthur Y. Webb | 1983 - January 1990 | Mario Cuomo | Resigned to become Director of New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services (DSAS). |
| Elin M. Howe | February 1990 - September 1993 | Mario Cuomo | Appointed as Commissioner of the former Department of Mental Retardation (now Department of Developmental Services) in Massachusetts. [6] |
| Thomas A. Maul | September 1993 - 2006 | Mario Cuomo,
George Pataki, Eliot Spitzer |
|
| Diana Jones Ritter | March 2007 - July 2010 | Eliot Spitzer, | Resigned to become the Managing Director of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). [7] |
| Max Chmura | July 2010 - March 2011 | David Paterson, | Forced resignation. [8] |
| Courtney Burke | April 2011 - July 2013 | Andrew Cuomo | Resigned to become New York's new Deputy Secretary for Health. [9] |
| Laurie A. Kelley | July 2013 - 2014 | Andrew Cuomo | Acting. Resigned. [10] |
| Kerry Delaney | 2014 - 2019 | Andrew Cuomo | Acting. Resigned. [11] |
| Dr. Theodore Kastner | 2019 - November 2021 | Andrew Cuomo | Resigned. [12] |
| Kerri E. Neifeld | November 2021 - June 2024 | Kathy Hochul | Became acting commissioner in November 2021 and was confirmed as permanent in March 2022. [13] Resigned. [14] |
Structure
OPWDD maintains five Developmental Disability Regional Offices that are responsible for coordinating and overseeing not-for-profit provider services, and managing the enrollment process. [2]
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Western New York & Finger Lakes |
| 2 | Central New York, Broome & Sunmount |
| 3 | Capital District, Taconic & Hudson Valley |
| 4 | Metro, Brooklyn, Staten Island & Queens |
| 5 | Long Island |
Safety and Security Officers
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Police (NYSOPWDD Police) is responsible for providing onsite security services at the 13 field offices located in New York State. They also transport people with Developmental Disabilities patients to and from court and other OPWDD facilities. [15] OPWDD Safety and Security Officers have New York State peace officer status which grants them limited powers under the Mental Hygiene Law (section 13.25), Public Health Law (section 455), and Criminal Procedure Law (section 2.10-12). [15] [16] [17] The NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities uses the title "Safety and Security Officer" for its OPWDD officers. [17]
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities ( Police ) are employed as Safety and Security Officers. They are prohibited by New York State Law and ( OPWDD ) policy to use or carry a firearm, but do carry a expandable baton, handcuffs, mace, bulletproof vests, flashlight, and a radio that is directly linked to other officers and the main office of the facility. The Civil Service title used by the New York State Department of Civil Service for OPWDD ( Police ) is "Safety and Security Officer". There are three titles (referred to as ranks) within the agency:
| Title | Insignia | Uniform Shirt Color |
|---|---|---|
| Chief |  |
Navy Blue or White (Depending on Facility) |
| Sergeant |  |
Navy Blue |
| Safety/Security Officer |  |
Navy Blue |
Promotional exams are routinely given to obtain promotional opportunities. New Safety and Security officer must complete the "Peace Officer Basic Course" which includes training in:
- Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law
- Fire, Building and Life Safety Code Enforcement
- Lawful Use of Force-Defensive Tactics, Physical Training
- Crowd/Riot Control
- Arrest Techniques and Processing
- Report Writing
- Patrol Techniques
- Investigative Techniques
- Emergency Vehicle Operation
- Critical Incident Management(ICS)
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Computer Operations
- Fire Science, Safety & Investigations Training
After training each new Safety and Security officer completes a minimum six week on-the-job field training supervised by a senior officer from their respective facility.
Some of the duties performed by these officers include, but are not limited to, enforcing state and local laws, protecting persons and property, prevent and detect crime, search for and eliminate contraband, performing escorts of patients to off-site facilities, apprehending absconded patients and executing Mental Hygiene warrants.
Safety and Security Officers are also responsible for conducting fire service procedures which include conducting fire drills, fire safety classes, fire extinguisher inspections and building inspections. Furthermore they maintain peace, safety and security in their assigned facilities.
References
- ^ "Governor Paterson Announces OMRDD to Become Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)" (Press release). Albany, NY: Governor of New York. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ a b L. 2010, c. 168, enacted 13 July 2010. A11197, 2009-2010 legislative session.
- ^ "Contact Information | OPWDD". opwdd.ny.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-05-07.
- ^ "The Arc History".
- ^ "Milestones in OMRDD's History Related to Willowbrook". mn.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "State House News Report: Elin Howe". myemail.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Governor Paterson Announces Administration Changes". readme.readmedia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ Board, Advance Media NY Editorial (2011-03-19). "Shield the most vulnerable: New York must improve oversight, accountability of group homes". syracuse. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ Bellino, Kristine BellinoKristine (2013-07-22). "Courtney Burke Named New York Deputy Secretary For Health By Governor Andrew Cuomo". WIBX 950. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Head of NY agency for the disabled resigns". Troy Record. 2014-06-04. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Head of NY agency for the disabled resigns". Troy Record. 2014-06-04. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Hochul completes overhaul of Cuomo holdovers". ny1.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Kerri E. Neifeld, Commissioner". Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "OPWDD leader to depart in summer - The Capitol Pressroom". 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b NYS Mental Hygiene Law 13.25 Safety
- ^ NYS CPL
- ^ a b "Civil Service Exam". Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
External links
- Official OPWDD site
- Department of Mental Hygiene in the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
- Office for People With Developmental Disabilities on DATA.NY.GOV
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