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Exceptional Family Resources 2023Satisfaction Survey

Dear people who receive services from Exceptional Family Resources (EFR) and all of you who are family members who interact with EFR. We aim to be the best provider of our type of services in the region as measured by your satisfaction. We understand that we cannot do this without your input. We need to know what we are doing well and what we can do better.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey for us. If you do, your name will be put into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. There will be 20 winners.

We promise that individual information will be kept confidential- we won’t tell anyone what you said. We will share the overall, unidentified information, with the leadership team at EFR as part of goal planning for 2024.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHKV8N9


Empowering Exceptional People

Over 40 years ago, a few dedicated families sat down at a kitchen table with a deep and pressing need to find reliable, quality support for their children with developmental disabilities. Today Exceptional Family Resources still has a strong family focus – it’s in our name, it’s who we are, and it’s what we do. We partner with individuals with disabilities and their families to guide them through the difficult world of disability services. We’re here to help understand the changes that are always coming – from new rules and regulations to bigger, system-wide changes. We are in it with you.


EFR participants and families please take a moment to read the following from OPWDD regarding upcoming discussions on Managed Care Services. Should you wish to participate in one of several online Town Hall Meetings or to learn more about the Managed Care Assessment please click the link provided at the end of the statement below.

Using funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act, OPWDD has contracted with Guidehouse, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive review of the use of managed care payment systems and how managed care might support the agency in achieving its strategic priorities. The study, which began in 2022, will evaluate if managed care or a different payment model can help OPWDD services better meet people’s needs.

To inform its study and understand the needs and challenges facing New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families, Guidehouse is holding virtual Town Hall-style discussions and inviting everyone with an interest in OPWDD supports and services to provide input. In the weeks ahead, Guidehouse will also conduct an online feedback survey. Both the Town Hall discussions and the survey will help OPWDD understand the service access and service coordination challenges facing people today as well as what they like about the services they receive to help determine how a managed care system would support access and quality of services.

No decisions have been made to make any changes to how OPWDD services are currently paid. This study is meant to help inform the decision-making process, but no final decisions will be made without further discussion and planning with the people who get services, their families, and service providers.    

Use the links below to register to participate in a stakeholder discussion and inform our assessment of managed care. Invitations to provider-specific sessions on September 26th and 28th will be sent directly to Care Coordination Organizations and service provider agencies.

For more information visit:
https://opwdd.ny.gov/strategic-planning/managed-care-assessment


We are excited to share with you a fantastic opportunity for caregiving parents. Our friends at David’s Refuge will be hosting their annual Caregiver Summit and Wellness Retreat on October 6th at the Sheraton Hotel in Syracuse, NY.

This annual event is a day packed full of community, wellness, and respite all for caregivers. The day includes speakers, breakout sessions, community opportunities, and activities. There will also be a large agency fair in which parents may meet with agency resources from across NYS!

There’s more! This event is entirely FREE for you to attend the full-day conference. Should you like to attend, CLICK HERE. A David’s Refuge team member will be in contact with more information after you sign up.

Our friends at David’s Refuge look forward to sharing the day with you!


EFR SHOWCASE

We’re launching our EFR Showcase with photos and stories from the great talents in our organization. If you have a photo and a story about someone’s talent, please send it to Melissa Elsbree at melsbree@contactefr.org. Learn more about our talented people here.

Recognizing Our DSPs


Services

At EFR, you have the power. You have choice, flexibility, and control over who you work with, when your services happen, what you do, and where. You tell us how best to support you, we make it happen. We empower exceptional people.

Read More about Services

Elijah

Elijah joined us for the first time for fun and games at Get Air.

Ian

Ian takes care of all of the paper shredding at EFR with humor and a high five if you need one!

Ashley & Anna

Ashley and Anna became fast friends during Project Explore.

Scott & Bob

Scott and his DSP Bob have been together for many years and enjoy attending sporting events, including a trip to see the Yankees by bus.

Nick

Nick frequently performs in stage shows through Front Row Players. He has played a number of larger roles such as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and also starred as Shrek in Shrek: The Musical. Nick enjoys entertaining others with his uncanny impersonations and memorable movie quotes. He has an interest in becoming a voice actor in the future.

Robin & Susan

Robin and Susan have been together through our Friends Connection group for over 20 years and have shared many adventures and travels, including a trip to Ireland.

Alex

Alex has served as the MC for many events, including our Annual Picnic and heated EFR Jeopardy Games!

Meg & Addie

Adison was a big fan of Project Explore Dance Parties.

Rachel

Rachel took on all of the high ropes elements at Orenda Springs-Fearless!

Addie and DSP Rachel

Addie and Rachel had a blast sampling all of the rides at Sea Breeze!

Marriela & Amaya

Marriela and Amaya love hanging out together each summer at Project Explore.

Delvin And Abby

Delvin works with his DSP Abby on his dream of becoming a successful author like Stephen King or Tyler Perry.   See Delvin tell his story here.

Heather and Ashley

Ashley really enjoys her time with Heather. Whether they are shopping at the mall to get away from the rain or enjoying the sunshine at the zoo, they both always have smiles on their faces.

Lanaya and Gabby

Lanaya is such a joy to be around. She is always smiling and happy to be working when she is with Gavi. She always encourages Gavi to complete her workout and praises her for doing so well. When they are not working on her exercise goals, they enjoy spending time out in the community.

Nat and Patty

Nat and Patty have been together since 2017. Nat and Patty have formed a close bond and spend about 30 hours a week together. They enjoy indoor swimming, bowling, bingo, shopping, visiting celebrations for crafts with EFR, and meal planning. Nat enjoys finding new meals to make with the confidence she feels with her DSP at her side. They enjoy planning meals for the whole week!

Cleo and Claire

Cleo is a Syracuse University graduate who has been a volunteer and fundraiser for The Relay for Life team.  His connection to Relay for Life is personal as he lost his mom when he was only 8 years old to breast cancer.  But with the help of Claire, Cleo graduated and hopes to use his degree in Sports Management to become a social media director for a college sports team.  Cleo tells his story here.

Hear Our Stories

Meet a few of the exceptional people of EFR. Select a photo to read our stories.

Work With Us

Exceptional Family Resources is a great place to be! We offer flexible hours and hourly wages, while you gain experience and develop your skills for a future profession in teaching others to be independent.
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