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The Americans with Disabilities Act
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Report an Issue
Contact Customer Relations if you have a complaint about mental health services received at a facility operated or licensed by New York State.

Choosing Your Health Care Proxy
The NYS Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust–for example, a family member or close friend–to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

• Understanding HIPAA In New York State – a How to Guide. In an “question and answer” format, HIPAA rules and regulations are explained as they pertain to families, patients and providers.

Inpatient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities | (Español)
New York’s rights of inpatients in NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) mental health psychiatric centers.

Out Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities | (Español)
New York’s rights of outpatients in NYS OMH licensed programs.

Discharge Planning (বাংলা | 中文 | PyCCКИЙ | Español | Kreyòl Ayisyen | 한국어)
Planning ahead can help people living with mental illness avoid a crisis situation.

For Families

• Family Survival Handbook
  The Family Survival Handbook is a collection of useful information contributed by over 65 family caregivers. Through direct experience, they’ve learned how to navigate the public mental health system in New York State.
• Make the Mental Health System Work for You: When families join the Mental Health Care Team Everyone Benefits
  Mental health treatment outcomes improve when families are active partners in mental health treatment. The unique strengths and knowledge that family members contribute to the treatment process can benefit everyone–the patient, the practitioner, and the family members themselves!

Housing Resources

• New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal
  The Family Survival Handbook is a collection of useful information contributed by over 65 family caregivers. Through direct experience, they’ve learned how to navigate the public mental health system in New York State.
• Community Access, Inc.
  Community Access has been leading the charge for safe, affordable housing and employment opportunities for individuals with psychiatric disabilities for over 35 years.
• Help USA
  Help USA is one of the country's largest builders and operators of service–enriched transitional and low–income permanent housing.

Employment Resources

• New York Employment Services System (NYESS)
  A single point to access employment-related services and supports for all New Yorkers, regardless of their (dis)Ability.
• Ticket to Work
  The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work.