Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most. Don't see yours? Call (718) 774-1422 — our Navigator is happy to talk it through.
Getting Started
What is Chemlu Developmental Disabilities Center?
Chemlu is a New York State nonprofit provider of services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, established in 2003. We serve children and adults through OPWDD and the Children's HCBS waiver, and we participate in New York's Social Care Network, helping Medicaid members connect with food, housing, and transportation resources.
How do I know if my child or family member qualifies for services?
Eligibility depends on the program. For OPWDD services, the individual generally must have a qualifying developmental disability (intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or neurological impairment) that originated before age 22 — OPWDD makes the final eligibility determination. For Children's HCBS, the child must be under age 21 and meet clinical criteria established by the Department of Health. Chemlu can help families understand the process and prepare for next steps, but final eligibility decisions are made by the applicable program.
Where do I start?
Call or contact us and speak with our Navigator. Our Navigator can help you understand the process, organize next steps, and coordinate with the right people as appropriate.
What is a Navigator and what do they do?
Our Navigator helps families understand the OPWDD and Children's HCBS process, organize next steps, gather information, identify evaluation resources when needed, and coordinate with care managers and other providers as appropriate. You never have to figure this out alone.
What is the OPWDD Front Door?
The Front Door is OPWDD's intake and eligibility process. It includes a review of existing evaluations, possible new assessments, and a determination of whether the individual meets OPWDD eligibility criteria. Our Navigator helps you prepare for and navigate every step.
Services
What OPWDD services does Chemlu provide?
Community Habilitation (ComHab) — one-on-one skill-building at home and in the community; Day Habilitation Without Walls (Day Hab WOW) — our community-based day program; Pre-Vocational Services (PreVoc) — at our Lekulam center in New City and in the community; and Respite — in-home and community-based relief for family caregivers. Chemlu can assist with OPWDD Housing Subsidy / ISS-related supports for eligible individuals when appropriate and authorized. Availability depends on OPWDD eligibility, program requirements, documentation, and individual circumstances.
What is Community Habilitation (ComHab)?
A one-on-one support service where a trained Direct Support Professional works with an individual in their home or community. The goal is to build skills — daily living, social skills, community navigation — so the person can live as independently as possible.
What is Day Hab WOW (Without Walls)?
Day Hab WOW is our Day Habilitation program — but instead of being confined to a building, participants are out in the community. Activities focus on skill-building, socialization, vocational development, and community integration.
What are Pre-Vocational (PreVoc) services?
PreVoc helps individuals build the skills and habits they need to enter competitive, integrated employment — job readiness, workplace behavior, communication, following a schedule. Chemlu provides PreVoc at our Lekulam center in New City and out in the community.
What is OPWDD Respite?
Respite gives families and primary caregivers a real break while their loved one receives quality care. Chemlu provides respite in the home and out in the community, delivered by trained DSPs — for a few hours or a full day, on a schedule that works for your family.
What is a Care Manager and what do they do?
A Care Manager coordinates all of an individual's OPWDD services. They work for a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) and develop and oversee the Life Plan, connecting families with providers like Chemlu. (Care Managers were formerly known as Medicaid Service Coordinators, or MSCs.)
What is a Life Plan?
The individualized plan developed for each person receiving OPWDD services — goals, services, supports, and priorities based on what matters most to the individual and their family. (Previously called an ISP.)
Children's HCBS & the Social Care Network
What are Children's HCBS services?
Children's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are a separate set of services funded by the Department of Health (DOH) for children under 21 — distinct from OPWDD services, with their own eligibility process and service definitions.
What Children's HCBS services does Chemlu provide?
Community Habilitation (the Children's HCBS version, authorized separately from OPWDD ComHab); Respite; 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; Caregiver/Family Advocacy and Support Services (CFASS) — support, advocacy, and training for the family members who care for the child; and Supported Employment (SEMP) — job coaching and workplace support for young people entering employment.
How is Children's HCBS respite different from OPWDD respite?
They are funded by different agencies (DOH vs. OPWDD), with different eligibility criteria and authorization processes. Children's HCBS respite is specifically for children under 21 enrolled in the Children's Waiver; OPWDD respite is for individuals of all ages with OPWDD eligibility.
What is the Social Care Network (SCN), and what is Chemlu's role?
The Social Care Network is New York State's program for connecting Medicaid members with help for social needs — food, stable housing, transportation — that affect health as much as any medical issue. Chemlu is a contracted SCN partner in the Hudson Valley (through Hudson Valley Care Coalition) and the Bronx (through SOMOS), providing screenings and navigation.
Can Chemlu help my family with food, housing, or transportation?
If you or your family member has Medicaid and lives in the Bronx or the Hudson Valley, a Chemlu team member can complete a short screening — a few simple questions about your household's needs — and help connect you toward food, housing, or transportation resources. All Medicaid members may be screened for social needs through the Social Care Network; eligibility for navigation or enhanced services depends on Medicaid coverage type, region, identified need, and program rules. There's no cost for the screening, and you don't need to be receiving any other Chemlu service.
Locations & Coverage
Where are Chemlu's offices?
Monroe, NY (Orange County) — 2 Garfield Road #201, and Brooklyn, NY — 4502 13th Ave #311. Offices handle intake, coordination, and administration — services happen where you are: at home, in the community, and at our day program locations.
Where are Chemlu's day program centers?
New City, NY (Lekulam) — 216 Congers Road, Rockland County, running both Pre-Vocational services and Day Hab WOW; some participants travel from NYC and upstate to attend. And Brooklyn, NY — 4202 Glenwood Rd, our newest program, built for young adults transitioning out of the school system, with transportation coordination where available. Call us to schedule a tour.
Where do you provide home and community-based services?
All five boroughs of New York City — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — and the Hudson Valley: Rockland, Orange, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster counties.
Do you serve my area? I'm not in one of the counties listed.
Coverage depends on program, staffing, authorization, and location. Call us and we'll help determine what may be available.
Funding & Insurance
Does Chemlu accept Medicaid?
Yes. The vast majority of our services are funded through Medicaid. New York Medicaid covers OPWDD services and Children's HCBS services for eligible individuals.
Does my child need Medicaid to receive Children's HCBS services?
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. Our team can help families understand which pathway applies.
What if we don't have Medicaid right now?
Don't let that stop you from calling us. We can help you understand what's available, connect you with the right resources, and figure out next steps for your family.
Is there a cost to families for these services?
For eligible individuals, authorized services are typically funded through Medicaid and applicable waiver programs. Our team can help families understand eligibility, authorization, and next steps.
Working With Chemlu
What languages does Chemlu serve in?
Our staff speak a wide range of languages, and we work to match families with staff who understand their language and community whenever possible.
What should I bring or prepare for my first conversation?
Nothing formal is required. Just bring your questions. Our Navigator will walk you through everything that's needed as you go through the process together.
Can Chemlu help me even if I'm not sure whether my family member qualifies?
Absolutely. You don't need to know anything about OPWDD or Children's HCBS to call us. That's exactly what we're here for.
What makes Chemlu different from other providers?
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Our Navigator means you'll never be left to figure out the system alone. Our staff speak your language — literally and culturally. And our programs are built around real life: Day Hab WOW takes participants out into the community, and our Lekulam center pairs skill-building with warmth you can feel when you walk in. Come take a tour and see for yourself.
Still have questions?
Call (718) 774-1422 or send us a message — ask for our Navigator.