Supporting people in being active, engaged and involved members of their community in the ways they choose.
Recreation Services
This program offers activities for individuals of all ages. The goals of the program include not only enjoyment of leisure time and respite, but also socialization and integration within the community. The staff creatively seek activities that broaden the participants’ experience and further their goals in areas like social and life skills. It is a social program assisting people in small group situations with their leisure pursuits within the community. Independent access of the community is the goal, but staff can assist individuals so that they may participate in this service. People can select from the recreation offerings and choose the ones they want to enjoy.
The program is open to all OPWDD eligible individuals. We serve people from across the life span in a variety of settings. Some of the more formal services include Saturday Recreation and GAP for school aged people. The GAP program meets in the daytime during school vacations and is a service for families without other options for these school breaks. Adult Respite and Adult Recreation serve individuals over the age of 18 living in their family home.
Throughout the Capital District.
For more information, please contact Lisa Liopiris, Director of Recreation/Respite at 518.640.3364
Family Support Services
In addition to benefiting the individual, the programs are also meant to assist the family members and/or caregivers. This includes the following areas:
- Information and referrals
- Educational/informational workshops
- Support groups for individuals receiving services or their family members
- Counseling services
- Therapeutic yoga services for individuals and groups
- In-Home Behavior Support services
- Reimbursement for respite and goods and services
Throughout the Capital District.
For more information, please contact Brittany DeBell, Director of Family Services at 518.640.3356
The name “SoRSE” is short for Social Relationships and Sexuality Education. This is a program for people who are FSS eligible to have access to education, counseling, support, information and connection to resources specifically about healthy relationships and sexuality. We provide a few services, such as workshops, small groups, and 1:1 individual counseling session support. The program can also provide Sexual Consent assessments as needed. Examples of work might include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting parents to help a family as a young adult at home enters the phase of their life when they wish to begin dating.
- Helping a tween and their parents learn about puberty, and how to discuss it.
- How to make friends, and have a socially appropriate, fulfilling time with them
- Hygiene assistance
Anyone who is, or who has a family member who has OPWDD eligibility and lives within the Capital Region. This means someone who is the parent of a person with I/DD and receives OPWDD services, or an individual who receives OPWDD services AND who lives at home with family. The person may or may not have Self-Direction. If someone is in Self-Direction they will need to complete a budget amendment adding the service into their budget before receiving the service. A person who is living on their own in a supported apartment, group residence, or school residence would not be eligible.
Please inquire anyway! We’d rather figure out if the program can help you, first. If you are truly not eligible, we can make appropriate referrals, as we maintain connections with other similar resources in the NY area.
Yes! There is one requirement: any professional person must bring at least one FSS-eligible parent or person along with them, who may also benefit from the workshop topic.
Please contact program administration at sorse-connections@wildwoodprograms.org . The basic requirements are to submit OPWDD eligibility letter, Life Plan with the SoRSE Program written in, and the most recent Psychological Evaluation.
At this time, there is typically a 3-6 month waiting period to start. 1:1 counseling can last up to 6 months. An initial assessment of need is determined at intake.
This program aims to help people learn about Social Relationships and Sexuality tailored to their personal needs, learning needs, and individual values. The Rights of individuals under OPWDD Guidelines about Social Relationships and Sexuality will be respected. This program is about helping people learn and decide what is true and right for them, and all cultural needs will be gladly included in conversation, in tandem with safety needs.
Adult Education
Materials are adopted and modified to enhance learning, and students are assisted in getting accommodations and modifications for testing, training and other learning opportunities.
Adult Education is a community integration learning program. What does this mean? The only requirement to join is being 18+ and having reliable means of transportation to join class! There are no waivers or required budgets. ANYONE can join! You do not need to have a disability to be a student!
We offer classes around four tracks: Independence, Employment/Education, Health and Wellness, and The Arts. Each semester we will have new offered classes, so it is always a good idea to check out our Class Lists during registration! Some popular examples are Budgeting, Reading Tutoring, Cooking, Theater Arts, and much more.
We offer classes three times a year: Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Before the semester begins we will have online registration occur at wildwoodprograms.org/adult-education. From this website, you can see our catalog of upcoming classes and pay for classes with your credit or debit card. If you want to take classes, but cannot afford to pay out of pocket, you can apply for our scholarship. To do so, please email adulted@wildwoodprograms.org during the registration period to receive the required paperwork.
Registration notifications are sent out through email, with the option of physical mail as well. If you are interested in joining our mailing lists, please email adulted@wildwoodprograms.org
As a new student, you will register for the New Student Interview at wildwoodprograms.org/adult-education. Once you have completed the form and paid the one time fee, you will be contacted for an in-person or online interview. This interview is your chance to ask questions and share your learning interests. After having your interview, you are welcome to join any Adult Education classes that interest you!
Yes! If one of our classes during a semester is being offered for free, we still need to make sure we have all of the supplies needed for the class. Always register in advance for a free class by filling out the registration form at wildwoodprograms.org/adult-education.
Absolutely! Our students vary in their needs, and support staff/people are always welcome for free. We simply ask that if you would like to participate in the class as well, to email adulted@wildwoodprograms.org to get an accurate count for materials.
Click Here to access multiple trainings on Independence, Budgeting and Learning to Let Go.
We offer classes at our Latham Offices and Mosaic Village Apartments in Cohoes. We also offer Virtual classes.
For more information, please contact Quill Nooney, Director of Adult Education at 518.640.3347
In-Home Respite
Often this service is one-to-one, and designed to fit the family’s schedule and can be provided seven days a week. Services are provided at minimum for two hours a day.
Albany, Southern Saratoga, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties.
For questions or referrals related to any of the other services listed above, please contact: inhomerespite@wildwoodprograms.org
Community Habilitation
Often this service is one-to-one, and designed to fit the individual’s schedule and can be provided up to seven days a week. Services are provided at minimum for two hours a day.
Individuals, 13 years and older, who are OPWDD eligible and who live with their family, in a Residential Setting, or Independently are eligible.
Albany, Southern Saratoga, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties.
For more information, please contact: communityhabilitation@wildwoodprograms.org