Services

Day Habilitation Services

Day Habilitation Services offer a wide range of programs to enhance independence and inclusion of persons with intellectual/ developmental disabilities, providing opportunities to obtain and learn skills in community and group settings. Programs and activities are person-centered and person-driven. Individuals choose daily activities on site and in the community, while working on life skills, communication, socialization, self-advocacy, as well as exploring communities and participating in volunteerism. 

 

Many of the people participating in Day Habilitation Services volunteer in a variety of settings at nonprofit community partners, enabling them to learn, enhance or hone their skills while giving back and supporting other nonprofits. 

 

For information, email Wendy Schoenfeld at wschoenfeld@lifespire.org.

Community Habilitation Services

Community Habilitation is a Medicaid funded program operated under OPWDD to provide one-to-one training to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities to develop or enhance the skills needed to live more independently in their homes or in the community. This service is available in all five boroughs.

 

Community Habilitation services are provided by Residential Habilitation Specialists based on a person- centered service plan that contains the goals and activities that are developed based on the needs of the person, the family dynamics, and the home environment. These goals and activities are geared to promote independence and self-determination, as well as the vision the person served and his/her family have for a self-sufficient future. The plan is then implemented through home visits and community activities as set by a schedule between the person with intellectual/developmental disabilities and the Residential Habilitation Specialist.

 

For more information, contact (212) 741-0100 or
(718) 454-2700, email to comhab@lifespire.org.

Family Support Services

Family Support assists families by helping them care for their family member with a developmental/intellectual disability, and in particular by helping them maintain the person we serve in their home environment.

 

The programs and services offered by Lifespire are:

In-Home Behavior Management (Queens and Manhattan): Lifespire’s in-home behavior management support program started operating in Queens in 1993. In 2004, the program doubled when the State approved the increase and extension of the program to both Queens and Manhattan based families. The program provides weekly instruction to parents of persons demonstrating problematic behaviors in the home. A Behavioral Intervention Specialist (BIS) assesses the individual’s behavior through both observation and parental report. The clinician will then generate a behavior plan and teach the family how to put the plan into effect. The case is continually monitored and progress reviewed with the family. Referrals to the program come from both service coordinators and parents themselves.

Crisis Intervention (Queens and Brooklyn): The Lifespire crisis intervention program was established in 1985 for our families in Queens and Brooklyn. Families can receive linkage, short-term case management and advocacy services.


To be eligible for Family Support Services an individual must be deemed eligible by OPWDD and live with their family. For more information or to refer someone, please call (718) 454-6940 or email familysupportservices@lifespire.org.

Residential Program

Our residential program provides a variety of options based upon the level of support and/or training needed by each person. Lifespire has houses in all five boroughs of New York City as well as Westchester and Ulster County. Any person who has a diagnosis of an intellectual/developmental disability with accompanying adaptive or functional challenges is eligible for our residential services.

 

Intermediate Care Facilities: Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) provide a round-the-clock program for a person with specific medical and/or behavioral needs who requires the maximum level of support and training in a community setting. Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRA) are homes where the person develops his/her community living skills through the Home and Community Based Waiver Program (HCBS).

Supportive Apartments and Independent Living offer a setting designed to foster community inclusion for an adult capable of living with minimal supervision and support available in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens

The Lubin Center for Independent Living is a Section 202 Housing Program under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for an individual capable of independent living and employment. Occupancy of this project is limited to persons with a developmental disability, limited income and a critical need for housing.
Individualized Support Services provide non-certified housing options for a person who wishes to access independent living arrangements rather than traditional congregate care settings.
For more information please call our Residential Development and Intake Office email Ivy Gross at igross@lifespire.org or call (646) 689-3975

Article 16 Clinic Services

Our Article 16 Clinic are dedicated to making services as accessible and individual focused as possible. The clinic provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals with developmental disabilities that include:

  • Individual and Family Psychotherapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Physical Therapy

  • Speech Language Pathology

  • Sexuality Counseling

  • Nutritional Counseling

  • Psychometric Testing (Psychological Evaluation)

  • Psychosocial Evaluation

 

It is our desire to help support an individual’s participation in the community. Services are provided in all five boroughs. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving these services, or for more information,
(212) 741-0100 or (718) 721-5444 or  
email clinic@lifespire.org.

Respite Services

Waiver Respite Services

Lifespire has developed a variety of respite services with recreational activities for persons with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. Our goals for all our programs is to improve independence, socialization, communication skills and a sense of personal worth while providing a relief to the families of all participants enrolled. Services include After School Respite Program for Students, Adult Respite and Non-Waiver Saturday Weekend Respite. 

 

For more information on any of these programs or to make a referral, please call (646) 753-1355 or email respite@lifespire.org.


AFTER SCHOOL RESPITE PROGRAM for STUDENTS (AGES 14-21)

The After School Respite program is designed to reinforce the social communication and language skills that students learn during the day at school by giving them guidance and support in a less structured environment. This program includes activities such as dance, art, crafts, cooking lessons, power walking, bowling, interactive technology such as computer and video games, and basic help with school work. Students participate in a cooking program each day in which they learn how to plan and prepare nutritious meals. They are taught safety skills and are given the opportunity to enjoy their meals with their peers. This program follows the Board of Education schedule and is offered in the boroughs of the Bronx and Manhattan: Monday through Thursdays from 3-6 PM.


ADULT RESPITE (AGES 21 and Older)

The Adult Respite program provides temporary breaks for families and caregivers to have time to address their own needs or interests, which ultimately improves the family's ability to cope with their daily responsibilities. At the same time, this program provides the adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are participating in this program an opportunity to learn, socialize, engage in recreational activities and hobbies in a less structured environment than their regular day programs or day jobs. All respite services help participants learn to be more independent and develop relationships with people outside of their families. Weekly activities include art, music, dancing, games, community trips to the local parks, movies, bowling, stores and local restaurants)


Program Locations & Time:

Bronx:

1315 Loomis Street, Bronx New York, 10461

Mondays and Wednesdays - 3:00-6:00 pm

Manhattan

59 East 125th St. New York, NY, 10035

Tuesdays and Thursdays - 3:00-6:00 pm