New York Supports Peer Mentors

The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is working with New York’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to support hiring peer mentors to share their own stories and help others to move from an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) and Developmental Center (DC) or nursing home into a community setting.  According to OPWDD’s People First Newsletter, peers use their personal experience to show that community living is possible. 

Peers, along with Transition Specialists who assist with the transition planning process, meet with people with developmental disabilities, their advocates and family members to discuss transition options and make sure that the person transitioning understands the process and can make informed choices throughout their discharge planning activities and transition experience.

FMI:  Read the article here http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_resources/people_first_newsletter/Summer2015PeopleFirstNews