On November 1st, the New York State (NYS) Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) released the final 2023-2027 Strategic Plan following a public comment period. Based on stakeholder feedback and a review of state data and policy, the Plan outlines the following three strategic goals for 2023-2027:
- Strengthen the workforce, technology, and collaboration;
- Transform the system through innovation and change; and
- Enhance person-centered supports and services.
Top priorities identified during the stakeholder feedback process included:
- Addressing the workforce crisis;
- Improving self-direction;
- Better supporting people with complex needs;
- Strengthening housing services;
- Recognizing the need for long-term planning as families and caregivers age;
- Improving access to services for underserved communities; and
- Recognizing the need to use data to measure the agency’s success on meeting strategy goals and objectives, and being more transparent with data and information.
The Strategic Plan is available here, and key aspects of the plan are summarized here.