2011 Annual Report - FEGS

Health & Disabilities
FEGS, a leader for 40 years in providing
an array of targeted services in behavioral
health, developmental disabilities, clinical
support, rehabilitation and case management,
assists New Yorkers in improving their health
and ability to live in the community. FEGS
annually assists more than 54,000 people
with chronic health conditions and disabilities
through programs that help them manage
and improve their health, avoid unnecessary
hospitalization, and participate more
independently in the community.
Highly regarded and specialized NYS licensed
initiatives provide treatment, rehabilitation and
case management for people with mental illness;
service coordination, habilitation, family support
10 FEGS Health & Human Services
and community inclusion programs for people
with developmental and/or physical disabilities;
special initiatives to help keep people out of
nursing homes; home care for elderly and
chronically ill adults; and supported employment
programs and housing for people with disabilities.
Numerous studies document that individuals with
serious mental illness have a life-expectancy up to
25 years less than the general population. FEGS
programs, which incorporate a focus on wellness,
are integrating mental health and primary care.
Maximizing the opportunities for improving the
health care system under NYS Governor Andrew
Cuomo’s Medicaid redesign initiative, FEGS
played a pivotal role in the establishment of
Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC) in 2011.
This collaboration of more than 60 New York City
behavioral health agencies will provide care
management for people with serious mental
illness and other chronic conditions through the
New York State Department of Health (DOH) Health
Home initiative. A similar effort is under way on
Long Island.
FEGS is now collaborating with partners to plan
new approaches to better integrate and manage
care for New York’s most vulnerable older adults
who need long term care and for people with
developmental disabilities. During this time of
great change in the health care landscape, FEGS
continues to leverage its experience to develop
new ways to improve health care and outcomes
with greater efficiency.