Support updates provided by People Inc.
Support updates provided by People Inc.
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Attention Care Coordinators and Healthcare Professionals
We hope you take some time to complete our survey! Plus, find out about these topics: Environmental Modifications, People Certified Home Health, Family Training Schedules, various options of Affordable Apartments, follow us on social media and more.

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YOUR FEEDBACK is IMPORTANT
We’re Here for You: Complete Online Survey by Wednesday, February 16
People Inc. wants YOUR feedback to continue making improvements! We look forward to being a resource to you through our Admissions Department, improved website and Care Coordinator Connection e-newsletter. To help continue to enhance our communications, we invite you to complete an online survey. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, February 16. Your answers will be anonymous, unless if you want to enter to win a $50 Amazon, then include your contact info and we will pick one winner at random! We will announce the winner in the next issue of our Care Coordinator Connection. Thank you for your time.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Photo of a fully remodeled accessibe bathroom.
Environmental Modifications (E-mods) Applications Available Online
Services now offered in Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions
People Inc. Environmental Modifications (EMOD) Project Management Services can provide access to adaptations to a home environment through OPWDD waiver funding (currently HCBS). If any of these situations apply for someone you assist, People Inc. is likely able to assist:

• If you are providing care coordination services to a person living in a community-based environment that is limiting their ability to live as independently as possible.

• If you suspect a caregiver is at risk of injury from lifting/transferring.
Contact us today – here’s how our team can be a resource:
  1. Want an easy EMOD experience? Start your process with People Inc.
  2. Leading in innovation and customer service, People Inc. offers a streamlined EMOD experience.
  3. People Inc. is bringing the same trusted experience and service to the Finger Lakes Region.
To start the process for someone you assist, complete the online application.
To learn more info about the overall program: Contact Anthony Rushford, project director, arushford@people-inc.org, 716.880.3775
Western New York (including Buffalo and the Southern Tier): Call 716.880.3815
Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions: Casey Moore, casey.moore@people-inc.org, 585.719.3400
Internet Safety Resources – Coming Soon!
People Inc. was awarded a grant through the WNY Digital Equity Coalition to design and offer a series of online sessions on internet safety for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This work will build on the successful outreach of our Advocacy Team throughout the pandemic, which served as a resource for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. We plan on offering Zoom sessions from May through December, and are especially seeking participants from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Niagara Counties, in addition to Erie County. Stay tuned for more information over the coming months!
People Certified Home Health
Accepting Referrals
Specializing in supporting people with developmental disabilities

People Certified Home Health Services, an affiliate of People Inc., is focused on providing high quality and individualized patient care for people with and without developmental disabilities. Referrals from care coordinators and healthcare professionals are now being accepted.
Highly-skilled staff are available to meet specific needs for people: living with a chronic condition or needing a smooth transition from hospital/rehabilitation center to home or recovering from an illness/injury or who needs extra assistance. As the only agency in Western New York that provides specialized home health care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, People Certified Home Health provides various supports by in-home nurses and rehabilitation therapists for short-term health needs.
Supports are provided to people 18 years old and older, with and without developmental disabilities, at home (including certified settings and IRAs). Services include: Intermittent Skilled Nursing; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Nutrition and Medical Social Work.

Info: To make a referral, for more details or to arrange for a presentation, contact Jake Wilkins, RN, vice president, People Home Health Services, at jwilkins@people-inc.org or 716.566.4814
The Johnson family.
Two Family Training Schedules Announced
To help assist parents and families with loved ones living at home who have developmental disabilities, resources are now available through two different innovative training offerings. These training sessions are to support families through the important transitions for themselves and their children’s lives. Most of the trainings listed are concurrently available through the Family Education and Training (FET) Program, but we have now expanded the eligibility for people to attend these trainings.
Family Education and Training: The People Inc. Family Education and Training (FET) is available for families who have children up to age 18 with developmental disabilities to enhance the decision-making capacity of the family unit. The trainings will also provide orientation regarding the nature and impact of developmental disabilities upon the person and their family, as well as inform them about support alternatives. Additionally, the FET will assist the family unit in understanding and nurturing their child with a developmental disability. These programs are funded through the Home and Community-Based Waiver and require enrollment. Once enrolled, people can register for a class by downloading a 2022 presentation schedule and registration form.
NEW – Family Support Services Training: The People Inc. Family Support Services (FSS) Training is available for families and advocates who are living with a person with a developmental disability over the age of 18. These training sessions support families through the important transitions for their loved one. These funds are also available to those not enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS). In order to participate in this training, please note that families will need to enroll in a Family Support Program through People Inc. For those receiving Self-Directed Services, the plan must incorporate the nominal cost. Care coordinators need to submit a brief FSS application with demographic information to the People Inc. Admissions Department for new enrollees. Contact Admissions for this application. View the 2022 presentation schedule and registration form.
Info for Western New York: FET@people-inc.org or 716.880.3867
Info for Greater Rochester region:
FET@people-inc.org or 585.441.9300
OPENINGS NOW AVAILABLE
A tenant in her kitchen at the Linwood Lafayette Apartments.
Various Options of Affordable Apartments
Accepting Applications
Locations in Erie and Niagara Counties

Do you have someone you assist or have a loved one who may benefit about worrying less about the stress of home ownership and financial concerns? People Inc. Affordable Apartments and Senior Living apartments provide affordable and maintenance-free options that ensure building safety and cleanliness. Tenants must meet age, eligibility criteria and income guidelines. These apartment options are accepting applications for one- and two-bedroom units for specific locations (amenities vary).

NEW – Oakwood Senior Apartments, 15 Oakwood Avenue, Blasdell, NY: 55+ Years, income-eligible. Additionally, there are seven furnished set-aside apartments for people 55+, who are income-eligible and are frail elderly homeless individuals.

Grant Street Apartments, 25 Grant Street, North Tonawanda, NY: Age 18+ and income-eligible or who has an intellectual or developmental disability.

Highland School Apartments, 105 Highland Avenue, Tonawanda, NY: Age 18+ and income-eligible; have a traumatic brain injury or an intellectual/developmental disability. A two-bedroom unit with hearing and vision accommodations currently available.

Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments, 637 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY: Age 55+ and income-eligible or intellectually/developmentally disabled. Market rate units currently available.

Locations for the Olmsted Apartments, managed by People Inc., (preferences for people with physical disabilities or vision impairments are provided) are located in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lockport and North Tonawanda, NY.
A living room at People Inc. Senior Living.
People Inc. Senior Living: One-bedroom apartments for independent older adults age 62 and up who are income-eligible. Many locations are accepting applications, including Amherst, Angola, Blasdell, Buffalo, South Buffalo, Gowanda, Grand Island, Lackawanna, Lockport, Springville and Wheatfield. (*Our Gowanda location provides HUD Section 202 Affordable Housing and NYS Tax Credit apartments for seniors age 62+. Accessible unit available. Amenities vary. TTD/TTY: 1.800.662.1220).
Info: Email housing@people-inc.org or call 716.880.3890.
NEWS TO KNOW
COVID-19 Resources
We are grateful to care coordinators and health professionals for their continued commitment to adapt and to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. The People Inc. team operates in a proactive, precautionary manner, with a primary goal of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for both the people we support and our staff throughout the global pandemic. For ongoing agency updates, refer to the Coronavirus section of our website.
The following resources are available:
  • Families are welcome to call group homes and programs with specific questions.
  • A Coronavirus Phone Line is available for families to call at 716.817.7445.
  • An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for families and people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to share questions. The number is 716.529.6505.
  • Concerns may also be addressed by emailing COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.
  • The People Inc. Advocacy Department continues to help people who receive supports stay connected and informed through Zoom video and phone conferences. Our Advocacy Phone Line is available for people we support to ask non-emergency questions by calling 716.322.7070.
People Inc. Admissions Featured on LCTV
Stacy Blair and Linda Rinaldo of People Inc. Admissions recently shared their expertise with viewers of Lockport Community Television. They talked about our various agency supports and the steps to take when a family or person with an intellectual or developmental disability may need assistance. View the show!

RESOURCES
Get Social with Us!
Stay in touch between issues of the People Inc. Care Coordinator Connection for agency news, program updates, fun photos and stories on our social media channels. Here’s where to find us: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Headway of WNY Online Support Groups Available
Headway of Western New York, an affiliate of People Inc., provides bi-monthly virtual support groups to address topics related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other cognitive conditions. They also can be helpful for day-to-day challenges and maintenance of wellbeing. If someone you assist may benefit, visit the Support Groups section of the Headway of WNY website to find out how to sign up and view the most up-to-date listing of virtual meetings.
Info: support@headwayofwny.org
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