External Standards and Measures

  • Superior Rating: Each year, New York’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) rates service providers for the disabled. SKIP consistently scores 99%-100% in categories such as performance, casework and qualifications.

  • Geographic Reach: With offices in Buffalo, Rochester, and New York City, SKIP is able to help children throughout New York State.

  • Healthcare Cost Savings: In New York State, the average cost of hospitalization per child is $337,625 as opposed to $69,752 for at-home care. For every child that SKIP brings home, there is a savings to tax payers of over $268,000. In an average year, SKIP generates a savings of over $50 million in public expense.

Recognition

During its 30 plus year history, SKIP and its co-founder Margaret Mikol have received many – and varied – awards, such as:

  • The Best of Buffalo Award, Social Service Organization, 2014

  • The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s 2008 Achievement Award for extraordinary efforts on behalf of people with disabilities

  • Child Magazine’s Children’s Champion Awards, 2003

  • Governor George Pataki and the New York State Executive Chamber, Recognition for the Dr. King Healthy Community Expo 2001

Margaret has also been recognized for her expertise on children with special needs through numerous appointments to federal and state government committees and task forces shaping policy. Agencies include:

Because SKIP of New York serves the most vulnerable amongst us, it holds itself to the highest standards for their care. Service data, key accomplishments and program measures are described below.

Internal Standards and Measures

  • No-Refusal Policy: Unlike many social service agencies, SKIP maintains a no-refusal policy – it will help any medically fragile child in need of help. SKIP is the only agency accepting new cases for many State-authorized programs.

  • No Service Fees: SKIP provides all of its services at no cost to the families so that all children, regardless of economic circumstances, have equal access to the care they need.

  • Caseworker Load: Each SKIP child is managed by a dedicated case worker. At SKIP, each caseworker handles a maximum caseload on average of 30 children so that our caseworkers get to know and can respond to any family needs in a timely manner. The state allowance is generally 40 children per caseworker.

  • Continuous Care: Unlike similar agencies, SKIP does not stop caring for children when they become adults (18 years of age). SKIP continues working with the families to ensure that the need for care continues to be met.

  • Children Helped: Since its launch in 1983, SKIP has helped over 25,000 medically fragile children lead better lives and it continues to help 5,000 children each year throughout the State of New York.

Success Metrics & Recognition

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

  • U.S. Food & Drug Administration

  • U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for Persons with Disabilities

  • New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

  • New York State Department of Health

  • New York State Assembly Committee on Home Care

  • New York State Consumer Health Care Council

  • New York State Planning Council

  • New York State Physically Handicapped Children’s Program

  • New York State Academy of Medicine