Disability & Long-Term Care · Surprise rank #239
OPWDD-Eligible Person in Crisis? NYSTART/CSIDD Offers 24/7 Crisis Help and Planned or Emergency Respite
NYSTART/CSIDD provides 24/7 crisis prevention and response for qualifying people with developmental disabilities and complex behavioral needs.
Who
OPWDD-eligible people generally age 6+ with developmental disabilities and complex behavioral-health needs who meet program criteria.
Where: New York State through regional providers
What to do
Start here: Ask the OPWDD care manager or regional Developmental Disabilities Regional Office about NYSTART/CSIDD referral and crisis eligibility.
Eligibility: The person must be OPWDD-eligible and meet NYSTART/CSIDD clinical/program criteria. Resource Center respite has additional age and approval requirements.
What you get
The program can provide crisis planning, consultation, in-person response, training and—in qualifying circumstances—planned or emergency stays at a Resource Center.
Benefit: Specialized crisis support intended to keep the person safely in the home/community and reduce avoidable emergency or institutional care.
Possible value: No fixed cash benefit; services can replace costly crisis or institutional interventions.
Good to know
Important: Resource Center beds are not ordinary respite beds available on demand. Eligibility, age, safety and regional capacity rules apply.
Availability: Active; regional availability varies
Why people miss it: Families may call 911 or go to an emergency room without knowing OPWDD has a disability-specialized crisis system.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026