Governor Hochul Announces 30 Awards Statewide Totaling $25 Million to Expand Health Clinics and Improve Access to Healthcare Services for People With Developmental Disabilities

New York University Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities, the Largest Single Awardee, Received $5 Million To Improve Oral Health for People with Disabilities

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 30 awards with a $25 million investment to help address health equity for people with developmental disabilities who often find it difficult to find comprehensive healthcare that meets their needs. This critical statewide initiative was announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State and enacted in the FY26 Budget. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) prioritized awards based on projects related to expanding access to dental care, improving physical diagnostic space to better accommodate wheelchairs, creating sensory-friendly areas for neurodiverse patients, and improving access to specialty physical health services in ‘healthcare deserts.’

“Under my administration, we’re taking steps to close the health equity gap for New Yorkers with disabilities,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding allows New York’s providers to make life-changing upgrades to facility equipment and space to address some of the most difficult dental and preventative health access needs. This is innovation at work as we create a more inclusive New York for all.”

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are tackling the difficulties people with developmental disabilities face in accessing comprehensive healthcare from a qualified professional in a setting that is appropriate to their needs. Initiatives like the expansion of NYU Dentistry’s Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities will open literal doors for people who, for far too long, have been shut out of the equitable and quality healthcare they deserve.”

The state’s first award of $5 million was announced today at NYU College of Dentistry for their project, “Bridging the Gaps of Access, Transition and Workforce: Expansion of the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities.” This funding will enable NYU to create a dedicated treatment space for children and adolescents with disabilities, easing the transition of care from childhood to adulthood and improving access for people of all ages. The modernization project will include elements to reduce anxiety and specialized dental equipment to meet the needs of patients with autism, other developmental disabilities, and complex medical conditions. Wheelchair accessible and sensory-friendly spaces will also create a patient-centered environment. In addition to providing this much-needed dental service in the community, NYU is also training the next generation of dentists to comprehensively care for the dental health needs of people with developmental disabilities.

Below is a complete list of awardees and projects by region:

New York City

• Metro Community Health Centers: $1,343,962 – “Dental & Behavioral Health Renovation Project”
• New York University: $5,477,832 – “Bridging the Gaps of Access, Transition and Workforce: Expansion of the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities”
• L’Refuah Medical & Rehabilitation Center dba Ezra Medical Center: $1,826,000 – “Ezra Medical Center (EMC) Dental Services Expansion Project”
• Premier Healthcare: $449,012 – “Expanding and Enhancing Inclusive Dental Care in Queens for the I/DD Community”
  $449,012
• Premier Healthcare: $424,704 – “Expanding and Enhancing Inclusive Dental Care in Manhattan for the I/DD Community”
• Staten Island University Hospital: $1,214,800 – “Improving Access to Behavioral Health and Dental Services through Implementation of Sensory Friendly Spaces”
• Community Health Project dba Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: $8,500 – “Improving Accessibility at Brooklyn Clinic with Automatic Door Opener Installation”
• United Cerebral Palsy of New York City dba ADAPT Community Network: $197,709 – “ADAPT’s Bronx Clinic Dental Operatory Expansion”
• Betances Health Center: $219,650 – “Improving Accessibility and Inclusive Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities”
  $219,650

Long Island

• Long Island Select Healthcare: $2,338,753 – “Eastern Suffolk Integrated Healthcare Access Expansion”
• North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset): $15,766 – “Increasing Adult Primary Care Capacity for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities through Wheelchair Accessibility”
• North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset): $135,200 – “Improving Dental Services through Implementation of Sensory Friendly Spaces”
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center: $142,900 – “Increasing Accessibility to Pediatric Dental Care through Sensory Friendly Spaces”
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center: $345,500 – “Increasing Specialty Care Access and Sensory-Friendly Spaces at Northwell Health at Rego Park”
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center: $25,621 – “Increasing Accessibility to Pediatric Primary Care through Sensory Friendly Spaces”

Western New York

• Baker Victory Healthcare Center: $194,000 – “Dental Enhancement Project”
• State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: $3,726,824 – “SUNY UBSDM Special Care Dentistry Center”

Finger Lakes

• University of Rochester: $225,400 – “Smiles Without Barriers”
• Cerebral Palsy Association of Rochester dba CP Rochester: $25,540 – “Improved Accessibility for CP Rochester’s Family Dental Center”
• TheRochester School of the Holy Childhood: $30,387 – “Article 16 Clinical Office Upgrade”
• Mozaic Chapter, NYSARC, Inc. dba Mozaic: $284,320 – “Article 16 Clinic Expansion in Rural, Inclusive Community Center”

Capital Region

• Community Work & Independence: $45,144 – “Creating Inclusive Access: Enhancing Mobility and Sensory Comfort at the Foothills Clinic”

Mohawk Valley

• Fulton-Schoharie Counties Chapter NYSARC, Inc. dba The Arc Lexington: $238,920 – “Arc Lexington's Article 16 Proposal”

Mid-Hudson

• The Center for Discovery: $448,533 – “The Discovery Health Center: Improving Health Care for People with Development Disabilities”
• Westchester Institute of Human Development: $1,197,380 – “Increasing Access to Healthcare and Dental Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities”
• NYSARC, Inc., Ulster, Greene, Putnam Counties Chapter dba The Arc Mid-Hudson: $392,932 – “Enhanced Clinical Services at Arc Mid-Hudson”
• Cornerstone Family Healthcare: $204,221 – “Restoring Dental Access for Disabled Community in New City, NY”

Central New York

• NYSARC, Inc., Onondaga County Chapter dba Arc of Onondaga: $533,042 – “AccessAbility Health Project”
• East Hill Family Medical dba East Hill Medical Center: $1,863,092 – “East Hill Medical Center Expansion Project”

North Country

• United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country dba Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country: $1,134,070 – “IDD-Focused Dental Suite Expansion – Ogdensburg FQHC”