NY CONNECTS SERVICES
New York Connects Onondaga offers a variety of services to potential consumers of long term care and their caregivers. The three main services provided by NY Connects Onondaga are: Information and Assistance, Needs Assessments/Screenings, and Public Education.

Information and Assistance
NY Connects primarily assists Onondaga County residents and their families in determining what services or programs are available to them and which ones meet their needs most appropriately.

Information/Resource Guides
Using the resource guides found on this website and the NY Connects Onondaga County phone line, consumers may familiarize themselves with a variety of unbiased resources to may suit their specific needs. The resource guides provided on this website are:

	The Resource Guide for Senior Services Published by the Onondaga County Department of Aging, this guide provides a comprehensive outline of services for the elderly, from Food and Housing to Legal Services and Employment.
	The Onondaga County Helpline The Onondaga County Helpline is a free resource that provides human services information and referrals to citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The database of information is available on-line or via telephone: 435-8300
	The Exceptional Family Resources Resource Manual Exceptional Family Resources is an organization providing information, support, advocacy and respite services to families whose sons or daughters have a disability. The Resource Manual a guide outlining hundreds of programs and services for disabled individuals and their families in Onondaga County.
	The Onondaga Network of Care for Behavioral Health The website designed by the Network of Care for Behavioral Health provides a tool to find information and resources relating to mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse.

Assistance:
In addition to referring clients to services provided throughout our county, NY Connects Onondaga County can directly assist those in need of care in the following ways:

Needs Screenings
NY Connects Onondaga offers free needs assessments and screenings to potential consumers of long term care services who believe the process would be beneficial to them. Assessments are done for any resident of Onondaga County, regardless of payor source. It is our mission to direct people to the most appropriate, least restrictive, most cost-effective long term care services available.

There are many options available to Onondaga County residents, but this can easily confuse the decision-making process for people unfamiliar with home care. The assessment done by the Resource Center helps take the confusion out of home care and long term care. The assessor helps to determine what an individual’s needs are and how they can best be met.

To receive a free screening, call: NY Connects Onondaga County (315) 435-1400

Based on each caller’s needs, NY Connects Screeners will determine what information or assistance is needed, and provide referrals and support however possible.

Public Education
The third part of the NY Connects initiative is to educate the general public about the options they have for long term care services. NY Connects aims to empower and educate consumers to take ownership of their own care, and make informed decisions that will best suit their unique needs.

NY Connects long term care literature will be available at many public locations including libraries, healthcare facilities, social service agencies, and businesses. In addition, consumers may request information by calling NY Connects Onondaga County at: (315) 435-1400.

NY Connects staff will work within our communities to provide a variety of educational presentations and trainings. These presentations cover a variety of topics and issues including long term care insurance and information about general health. If you are interested in hosting a presentation at your business or community organization, please call NY Connects at: (315) 435-1400.