Have You Heard of NY Connects?

60 Central Avenue, Cortland • 607-756-3485 • 607-753-5060
69 North Main Street, Cortland • 607-753-7363
nyconnects.ny.gov
nyconnects@cortlandcountyny.gov

When NY Connects staff meets with groups, we often start our presentations by asking “Have you heard of NY Connects”? The response from the audience is often,” I have heard of it but that’s about all I know.”? So, to increase awareness of the NY Connects program we are delighted to have a spot on the front page of The Cortland Tribune! We aim for you to have a better understanding of what NY Connects offers. 

To give some background, NY Connects is not new. It was first established in 2006 as a key component of long- term care reform in New York State. It has only grown since this time. At present, there are NY Connects programs in nearly every county. Between April 2023 and March 2024 some 322,000 contacts/follow-ups were made to NY Connects across New York State. NY Connects partners with Access to Independence and to a lesser degree with the Department of Social Services, Mental Health and the Office of People with Disabilities. NY Connects functions as the hub of the “No Wrong Door” system that services individuals of all ages, regardless of income or background. Resource information is readily available for such needs as transportation, housing, home care, home delivered meals, insurance/benefit information and more. Contact can be made in various ways including telephone access, face to face meetings or my email. Additionally, there is an online resource directory of providers which can be found at nyconnects.ny.gov. NY Connects not only provides information and assistance it also offers person-centered options counseling. This is an interactive, goal driven person-centered process whereby individuals are supported in making informed long-term support decisions based on preferences, strengths, values, abilities and resources. It includes exploring options, assisting with accessing support/services, and follow-up with the individual. We aim to empower individuals to make their own long-term decisions and to live as independently as possible. 

For more information, please contact our NY Connects office please call 607-756-3485 or 607-753-5060 or email nyconnects@cortlandcountyny.gov. We are located within the Office for Aging department at the County Office Building, 60 Central Avenue in Cortland. NY Connects with Access to Independence is located at 69 North Main Street, Cortland. They may be reached at 607-753-7363. We look forward to hearing from you!