Community Agency Partnerships

We partner with a wide range of community organizations that serve people with intellectual disabilities, including residential and day-service providers, recreation programs, community centers, nonprofits, and other organizations. A partnership can make Special Olympics training part of an agency's existing programming while connecting participants to a larger community of athletes, coaches and competition.

If your organization serves people with intellectual disabilities and is interested in creating sports opportunities, we encourage you to contact us.

There is no single model. We work with each agency to create a partnership that fits its participants, staff, facilities and schedule.

In most cases, an agency can form a Special Olympics team or training club using its own staff as coaches. Practices may take place at the agency, a community recreation facility or another location.

Special Olympics New York staff help the agency determine which sports and seasons are the best fit and provide guidance throughout the process.

No. Special Olympics New York does not charge athletes, families, caregivers or community agencies to participate in our programs.

Special Olympics New York does not bill Medicaid or any other federal or state agency. Therefore, there is no overlap or double billing by Special Olympics New York with a community agency's Medicaid reimbursement, government funding or other funding model.

Seed funding may also be available for your agency as part of our Community Partnership Program.

Special Olympics New York raises the funds necessary to support its programs independently. Approximately 80% of our funding comes through private fundraising, with approximately 20% coming from government grants. These resources allow us to cover many of the costs associated with Special Olympics participation, including training facilities, uniforms, sports equipment, transportation to regional competitions and, when applicable, lodging and other competition-related expenses.

Some community agencies prefer to provide their own transportation or purchase their own uniforms or equipment, and that is acceptable. We can work with each agency to determine what makes the most sense for its participants and existing operations.

Special Olympics New York does not bill Medicaid or any other federal or state agency for services provided to athletes.

Our funding and program model is separate from an agency's reimbursement or funding structure. Special Olympics New York does not submit claims for an individual's participation, so our involvement does not create duplicate billing by Special Olympics New York for services an agency may already provide.

Agencies remain responsible for ensuring their own services and billing comply with the requirements of their respective funding programs.

Yes. Training and practices can be incorporated into an agency's normal business or program hours.

A typical sports training season spans approximately 8-12 weeks, with the schedule and expectations clearly communicated before the season begins. Regional and state competitions generally take place on weekends.

Staff members who coach Special Olympics athletes must complete required Special Olympics training and screening, including background checks.

Special Olympics New York will guide agency staff through the process and provide the training and resources needed to become Special Olympics coaches at no cost to the agency.

The commitment will vary depending on the sport and program, but agencies should plan for staff to complete required coach training and screening, attend regular practices, communicate with participants, families, and/or caregivers about the program, and support athletes at competitions. Special Olympics New York will work with your agency to develop a schedule that is realistic for your staff and participants.

Each person participating as a Special Olympics New York athlete must meet eligibility requirements and be properly registered in our system.

Athletes must also complete required registration materials and agree to the Special Olympics Athlete Code of Conduct.

Special Olympics New York staff will guide agencies and participants through the registration process.

No. Special Olympics New York participation is voluntary.

An agency can begin with a small group of interested participants and expand over time. Starting with one sport and building from there is an excellent way to establish a successful partnership without overwhelming participants or staff.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic-style sports.

Sports are organized by season, so available options will depend on the time of year, geographic region, athlete interest, available facilities and coaching capacity.

Special Olympics New York regional program staff will help identify sports that make sense for your agency and the people you serve.

Competition is an important part of the Special Olympics experience, and training seasons are generally designed to prepare athletes for competition.

Regional and state competitions give athletes an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned, challenge themselves, meet athletes from other communities and experience the excitement of being part of the larger Special Olympics movement.

Special Olympics New York staff will explain the competition opportunities associated with each sport before an agency begins a season. Different levels of competition are available to ensure there is an appropriate opportunity, based on the sport and an athlete’s readiness.

Special Olympics New York can support transportation to regional competitions as part of our program model.

Some community agencies prefer to transport their own participants using agency vehicles and staff, and that is acceptable as well. Transportation arrangements can be discussed when the partnership and sports schedule are established.

Special Olympics New York raises funds to support essential program costs, including uniforms and sports equipment.

Some agencies choose to purchase or provide their own uniforms or equipment. This is also acceptable, provided these adhere to Special Olympics branding and equipment regulations. Our staff can help you work through this process.

Not necessarily.

Special Olympics New York works with schools, colleges and universities, recreation centers and other community partners to create access to training and competition facilities.

If an agency does not have access to an appropriate facility, we can work together to explore options in the community.

Yes, and we encourage it.

Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates. Agency staff often opt to play alongside athletes in individual sports such as golf (alternate shot) and team sports such us basketball, softball or soccer.

Depending on the program and sport, a community agency partnership may include traditional Special Olympics sports, Unified Sports or a combination of both.

Special Olympics offers much more than sports. Special Olympics New York also offers opportunities for social inclusion, leadership development, health and wellness, and other programs that help athletes become the best version of themselves. Our athletes build skills and confidence, become healthier both physically and mentally, and often take on meaningful roles in their communities.

A Special Olympics partnership can add a structured, goal-oriented sports opportunity to an agency's existing programming without creating a new participation fee for the agency or its athletes.

A partnership can expand recreation, fitness and wellness opportunities; give participants meaningful goals and milestones; create opportunities for social connection and belonging; and provide professional development and coaching experience for staff.

Most importantly, the partnership can help make sports, friendship, achievement and community inclusion a regular part of life for the people you serve.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. A successful partnership might begin with one group of athletes, a few staff members and one sport.

Special Olympics New York staff can help identify a manageable first season, support coach and athlete registration, and develop a plan for practices and competition.

Once the program is established, we can explore additional sports and opportunities together.

A strong agency partner typically provides interested athletes; staff members willing to become trained Special Olympics coaches; consistent participation during the training season; support completing athlete registration requirements; help communicating schedules and expectations to participants and families; and collaboration with Special Olympics New York staff.

From there, we work together to build a program that fits your agency and the people you serve.

Special Olympics New York has regional and program staff throughout the state who help community agencies establish and grow programs.

Your initial Special Olympics New York contact will connect you with the appropriate regional or program director based on your location. That person will help guide your agency through sport selection, athlete registration, coach requirements, training schedules and competition opportunities.

Contact Special Olympics New York and tell us a little about your organization, including where you are located. From there, our team will schedule a conversation to identify the best first opportunity.

You don't need to have everything figured out before contacting us. That's what the partnership is for.

Ideally, we would also like to know approximately how many people at your agency may be interested, the ages of potential athletes, sports or activities they enjoy, whether you have staff interested in coaching, any facilities available to you, and the days and times that would work best for training.

Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for community agencies to partner with us.