NYIN was formed in 2012 by a group of visionary nonprofit leaders who shared a belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserved a more coordinated, innovative, and equitable system of care. From the start, NYIN was designed as a values-based collaboration - one that would combine the strength of trusted providers with the innovation and efficiency of shared systems.
Guided by principles of consensus decision-making, flexible governance, and a commitment to inclusion and diversity, NYIN’s founding agencies joined forces to test new models, influence reform, and ensure providers had a strong, unified voice in shaping the future of supports across New York State.
Over the past 14 years, NYIN has served as both convener and catalyst for reform. It has led or co-led initiatives on:
- The creation of Care Design NY and readiness for managed care
- Development of the NYIN IPA, enabling members to share financial and quality accountability under managed care
- Launch of a Data Collaborative, which evolved during COVID-19 into one of the only statewide tracking systems for infection, hospitalization, and mortality data in the I/DD field
- Built a self-direction entity called Meaningful NY, which is operated by one the NYIN members
- Joined as a lead plaintiff in a federal class action suit against the New York City MTA’s Access-A-Ride program.
- Established the first Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the country focused on better health outcomes for Medicare recipients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, AICNY, is a member of the Care Design NY network supporting individuals across the state.
In parallel, NYIN’s members helped to establish the New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) - a coalition representing over 300 provider agencies across the state - ensuring a powerful, unified policy voice.
From a founding circle of a few determined agencies, NYIN has grown to a network of 13 organizations supporting more than 120,000 New Yorkers across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. Together, these agencies employ nearly 20,000 staff and generate more than $2 billion in combined revenue.
Today, NYIN continues to embody the same mission that defined its founding - to advance collaboration, quality, and innovation so that every New Yorker with a disability can live a healthy, meaningful, and self-directed life.
