Developmental Disabilities Counseling Program
Well-established and recognized in Westchester County for over 30 years, the WJCS Developmental Disabilities Counseling Program offers clinical services and specialized programs that are designed to meet the emotional, social and recreational needs of individuals with cognitive challenges, autism and their families. Services are offered to individuals beginning at age 4 and extend through the lifespan.
Clinical services are restorative and focus on facilitating the highest level of functioning of the individual, maintain and strengthen the integrity of the family, including during a mental health crisis. A variety of therapeutic groups reinforce strategies to cope with depression, anxiety, teach and reinforce social skills, prepare individuals for entering and maintaining work and successful integrative community functioning. Clinical work reinforces strengths by engaging in a person-centered process.
Clinical services include individual, family, couples and group counseling at WJCS Family Mental Health clinic sites located in Hartsdale, Mt Vernon, Peekskill and Yonkers. Information and referral services, assistance with completing packets for OPWDD eligibility are also offered.
Staff includes clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. The interdisciplinary approach and evidence-based practices ensure the highest quality of service to participants. Spanish-speaking staff are available in some locations.
WJCS also offers specialized non-clinical programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.
Crisis Oriented Response for Developmental Disabilities (CORDD)
CORDD assists families and individuals who have a developmental disability or autism struggling through a non life-threatening crisis.
CORDD provides short-term services to address the acute needs of the person to stabilize the current behavioral/emotional crisis and prevent further deterioration and other crises. Referrals are made as needed to appropriate community resources including for ongoing psychotherapeutic intervention through the WJCS Outpatient Developmental Disabilities Counseling Program.
The program receives funding from Family Support Services of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).