June 22, 2026
The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce two awards of $200,000 per year for four years to Hunter College's School of Education and Ohel Children's Home and Family Services to develop a peer mentoring program—one for adults with dual DD and mental health diagnosis and one for parents and caregivers of people who are dually diagnosed.
The grant project with Hunter College will focus on providing peer support for adults with dual intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health diagnosis. Hunter School of Education brings deep institutional capacity to this work through decades of experience in special education, disability studies, mental health, peer mentorship, evaluation, and statewide dissemination. The project will be grounded in Supported Decision-Making principles, which emphasize autonomy, informed choice, and relational support. The program will position peer mentors as trusted supporters who assist mentees in understanding options, reflecting on preferences, and making informed decisions related to mental health, daily life, and community participation.
Ohel Children's Home and Family Services will focus on peer support for the families and caregivers of people with dual DD and mental health diagnoses. With more than 50 years of experience delivering behavioral health and social services, Ohel has developed a strong understanding of the emotional, practical, and system-level challenges faced by caregivers supporting loved ones with dual diagnosis. Ohel maintains a comprehensive peer mentor training curriculum currently used across agency programs. For this project the curriculum will be modified and tailored specifically for caregiver peer mentoring, with content addressing: psychoeducation related to dual diagnosis; caregiver stress, burnout, and self-care; trauma-informed communication and boundary setting in family contexts; navigation of OPWDD and OMH systems; and crisis planning, including clear protocols for responding to safety concerns.
Working together these projects will help guide the participants in learning how to self-monitor and manage their moods to reduce mental health symptoms. Plus it will teach the caregivers how to support those in their care to practice healthy coping and symptom management. Both organizations will create a project overseen by a licensed mental health clinician. The projects will each include:
- an advisory committee comprised of experts in the field and experts by experience to guide the project,
- mentor training, consisting of but not limited to psychoeducation, therapeutic skills, confidentiality, and mandated reporting,
- weekly sessions with mentors and mentees, with outlines and activities for mentor use,
- monthly structured social events with mentor/mentee cohorts, and
- a curated set of short videos and worksheets to help support mentees.
Kristin Proud, Executive Director of the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities said, "The CDD is proud to partner with the Hunter College School of Education and Ohel Children's Home and Family Services to support people and families of people with dual diagnosis of DD and mental health. Through this work they will be given the skill and supports they need to succeed in their lives. We're looking forward to seeing the impact of this work across New York State. "
Julie Gorlewski, Klara and Larry Silverstein Dean of the School of Education at Hunter College, said, “This investment from the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities underscores Hunter College’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities through innovative, community-centered support.”
Lisa Sheinhouse, director of community services at Ohel Children Homes and Family Services, said, “Parents of children with dual diagnosis have an exceptionally complicated road to navigate. We are grateful to the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities for empowering Ohel to create a place where parents can advocate for much needed change while sharing their experiences and learning from each other.”