Family Advocacy Center (FAC) is dedicated to helping families with developmentally
disabled children and adults find and obtain support and assistance for needed services
in Herkimer, Lewis and Oneida counties. FAC is funded by the Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and as a non-profit organization, FAC’s
services are offered to families at no charge.

Cutting through bureaucracy and red tape can be difficult and confusing for families,
but FAC can help. FAC was started by local families, and continues today to work
specifically to meet the needs of families in our community. FAC’s goal is to empower
families to make the best decisions for their specific situation by providing information,
guidance and empathy.

Family Assistance
M EDICAID S ERVICE C OORDINATION (MSC)
Creation, implementation and maintenance of an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) outlining
services that will help achieve life goals

S UPPLEMENTAL S ECURITY I NCOME (SSI)

E NTITLEMENTS AND A PPLICATIONS
G UARDIANSHIP I NFORMATION
FAC Coordinators help you navigate the laws and processes surrounding guardianship for
developmentally disabled persons that are 18 years old or older

F AMILY R EIMBURSEMENT
FAC Coordinators help you obtain funds for necessary expenses related to the disability of your
family member


Educational Assistance
C OMMITTEE ON S PECIAL E DUCATION
FAC Coordinators provide you with information on your rights and responsibilities as a parent of
a developmentally disabled child, and can even provide support at CSE meetings for you

I NDIVIDUALIZED E DUCATION P LAN (IEP)
FAC Coordinators give you advice and assistance to ensure your child is receiving appropriate
services from your school district

I NDIVIDUALS WITH D ISABILITIES E DUCATION A CT
(IDEA) & S ECTION 504
FAC helps you navigate the laws to gain all possible entitlements for your child

Community Efforts
E DUCATIONAL & T RAINING W ORKSHOPS
FAC can arrange informative sessions open to the public on critical topics such as Guardianship,
Benefits & Entitlements, Trusts & Estate Planning, Americans with Disabilities Law, Topics on
Specific Developmental Disabilities, and more

C OMMITTEES , A DVISORY B OARDS & T ASK F ORCES
FAC staff participate on a number of boards and committees in order to stay up-to-date on topics
regarding developmental disabilities, and also to continuously advocate for needed services and
funding

N EWSLETTER
FAC’s newsletter is published several times a year to keep families informed on new developments
regarding laws, funding and education for the developmentally disabled, as well as community news

A WARENESS
FAC strives to broaden community awareness of the challenges facing developmentally disabled
persons and their families. Communication is the best step towards acceptance and integration

FAC is committed to helping families with developmentally disabled children and adults lead the best and most productive lives possible. Whether your family member has been newly diagnosed or has already been fighting for rights for many years, FAC is ready to help you in any way we can. Contact us today for a consultation!

FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER
O FFICE H OURS :
Monday - Friday
8:30 PM – 4:30 PM
800-399-8004
315-797-8630
www.familyadvocacycenter.org
familyadvocacycenter@choiceonemail.com

Our Services