Children’s HCBS in New York: What Families Need to Know

Many parents learn about OPWDD when their child gets a diagnosis. What’s harder to find out — and what a lot of families discover years too late — is that there’s a second system of services for children, run by a completely different state agency, that their child might also qualify for.

It’s called Children’s Home and Community Based Services, or Children’s HCBS. It’s administered by the New York State Department of Health — not OPWDD — and it covers its own set of supports for children and youth under age 21.

How is Children’s HCBS different from OPWDD?

They are separate programs with separate applications, separate eligibility criteria, and separate funding. Even services that share a name — like respite — are technically distinct under each program.

OPWDD is specifically for people with developmental disabilities: intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and similar. Children’s HCBS is for children with significant health and developmental needs more broadly — eligibility is based on clinical criteria from the Department of Health, not OPWDD’s criteria. Some children qualify for both. Our Navigator can help you understand which program fits your child’s situation.

Services Chemlu provides through Children’s HCBS

Community Habilitation
One-on-one skill-building support from a trained DSP — similar in spirit to OPWDD ComHab, but authorized and funded separately through the DOH waiver.

Respite
Short-term care so the primary caregiver can take a real break. Children’s HCBS respite is a separate service from OPWDD respite, even if your child is enrolled in both programs.

Children’s HCBS Crisis Respite
Short-term, authorized support for eligible children and youth experiencing behavioral or emotional stressors; not a substitute for emergency services.

Pre-Vocational Services
Early work-readiness skills for young people — communication, routines, workplace habits — built at their pace, with their goals in mind.

Caregiver/Family Advocacy and Support Services (CFASS)
Support for the people who care for the child: advocacy, training, and guidance for parents and family members navigating systems, school meetings, and daily care.

Supported Employment (SEMP) — Children's HCBS
Employment support for eligible youth under the Children's Waiver, including job-readiness skill development, job coaching, and support with workplace success, where authorized.

What does it cost?

Most Children’s HCBS participants receive services through Medicaid. In limited cases, children enrolled in Child Health Plus may have access to certain HCBS benefits through their CHPlus managed care plan. For eligible individuals, authorized services are typically funded through Medicaid and applicable waiver programs — our team can help families understand which pathway applies.

How do I learn more?

Eligibility involves a clinical assessment through the DOH, and final eligibility and authorization decisions are made through the applicable program — not by Chemlu. Have questions about Children’s HCBS? Contact Chemlu to learn more about Children’s Waiver services and future availability, or call (718) 774-1422.