The Global Group Hosting Events for People Inc.

The Global Group is proud to be a part of the upcoming "Better Together...A Night of Celebration" benefiting the People Inc. Foundation. They are hosting a pair of public "gift gatherings" at their locations in Amherst and Blasdell this month. Mention that you are with People Inc. at check-out, and you will receive 20% off any wine and 10% off any liquor purchases from your full-price selections during the times noted below. This is a great opportunity to stock your shelves at home and contribute wine or liquor donations for the People Inc. Foundation's fundraiser,  Better Together . Stop by: Wednesday, April 17  from 6-8 p.m. at Global Wine & Spirits, 4990 Harlem Road, Amherst. This event features tastings of more than 100 wines and personal shopping with Kevin LoVullo from Spiel the Wine.   Thursday, April 18  from 5-7 p.m. at McKinley Wine & Spirits, 3820 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell.    

Plain Language Communication on the Eclipse

Thomas Ess, People Inc. Vice President for Emergency Management, was interviewed by WBFO's Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins on why plain language communication matters on communicating about the eclipse to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how the eclipse is changing operations at the agency for April 8. Learn more

Volunteers Needed to Advocate for Residents in Senior Care Facilities

People Inc. is offering certification training this spring for people interested in advocating for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Erie County.  The NYS Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program connects caring and effective advocates with older adults and people with disabilities who live in nursing homes, assisted living and other licensed adult care homes. The program is administered locally by People Inc.    Volunteers, known as ombudsmen, visit residents to identify concerns. They investigate and resolve complaints to advocate for the rights of people living in long-term care facilities. Ombudsman volunteers assist with monitoring resident care and building conditions, while working with facility staff to correct problems, using a range of problem-resolution and advocacy skills.    “Ombudsmen volunteers are urgently needed to serve society’s most vulnerable population,” said Susan Fenster, regional coordinator. “Our volunteers can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.”  Upon successful completion of a comprehensive 36-hour training program, Ombudsman volunteers are certified by the NY State Office for the Aging. They will work closely with their staff supervisor and are assigned to a facility in their area where they make weekly visits to meet with the facility residents. Schedules are flexible with a minimum of two hours per week required.  The upcoming training will be provided virtually via Zoom on weekdays beginning in May. In-facility mentoring is also part of the curriculum. For more information on volunteering, call 716-817-9222.  ABOUT PEOPLE INC.: People Inc. provides an array of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, as well as health care services, senior services, services for the Deaf and hard of hearing, and affordable housing. Built on a strong foundation of innovation, collaboration, community and inclusion, People Inc. helps people throughout Western New York and the greater Rochester region achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.  For more information, go to people-inc.org.

Total Solar Eclipse Arrives on April 8 - Impact on Agency Operations, Safety Information & Radio Interview

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a Total Solar Eclipse will be observable in the Western New York and Rochester areas. This is one of the few places in the country where the eclipse can be observed. This rare event will draw close to a million people to the Western New York area and approximately half a million to the greater Rochester area. This influx of people will put a significant strain on infrastructure and services we rely on typically without delay. Agency Operations:  Because of this influx of people, there are several areas of agency operations that will be closed on April 8, they are as follows: Administrative locations in Buffalo and Rochester - Staff that work out of these buildings have several options regarding their hours from working from home, to making up the hours, to taking paid time off.        Day Services, Respite and Rehabilitative Health Services - Staff will report to their sister Residential site to assist with covering persons served that will now be home during daytime hours.    Thomas Ess, People Inc. Vice President for Emergency Management, was interviewed by WBFO's Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins on why plain language communication matters on communicating about the eclipse and how the eclipse is changing operations at the agency for April 8. Learn more   Eclipse Viewing Safety:  It is unsafe to view the eclipse without special glasses designed for such an event.  Note: Sunglasses DO NOT offer the appropriate level of protection. Eclipse viewing glasses will be distributed to staff and persons served at certain locations in the coming weeks. For staff, there will also be a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses available on a first come first served basis at administrative locations beginning the week of March 25. Additionally, appropriate eclipse viewing glasses may be found at locations in the community, including public libraries. Solar eclipse viewing safety reference guides are available in English and Spanish .  Additional information is available from  NASA  and  New York State .  

Paid Summer Direct Support Internships Available

People Inc. is pleased to continue to host its Summer Paid Internship Program running from June 3 - August 30. This is a part-time position paying $16/hour. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. The program is designed to allow students the opportunity to learn about the human services field, while gaining practical experience. Our Direct Support Internship Program places students in residential settings working in the personal living environment of people with developmental disabilities. Some internship opportunities also exist in agency day programs, as well as site-based or recreational respite settings. All Direct Support Professional Interns support the character, choices, strengths, interests and needs of people served, while ensuring a safe, healthy and clean environment. Direct Support Interns in both residential and day programming plan, coordinate and implement meaningful activities that promote independence, inclusion, and productivity of people served by People Inc. on a daily basis through areas of daily living, personal care needs, and activities such as games, music and art. In a Site Based or Recreational Respite setting, interns will assist person served in social/recreational activities and implementation of monthly activity calendars. The student will also have opportunities to interact and learn from program management, and coworkers, as well as learn the roles of different team members and career paths at People Inc. Intern applications are accepted through Friday, May 17, and can be completed using the “Direct Support Intern” listing at  people-inc.org/jobboard . Information on careers is available here .

New Slate of Officers for People Inc. Boards

The People Inc. Board of Directors is made up of people who work (without compensation) on behalf of the Western New York and Greater Rochester communities -- in governing the organization.  Elizabeth Mauro has been named the chairperson of the People Inc. Board of Directors, replacing JoAnne Hudecki, who served as chair for two years. Mauro, President and CEO, at Endeavor Health Services, has been on the People Inc. board since 2016. Other new officers include: Vice Chairperson Robert Mayer, Weinberg Campus Treasurer Dennis Schaeffer, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck & King Attorneys  Secretary JoAnne Hudecki, McGuire Development.   The mission of the People Inc. Foundation is to help fund quality of life programs, medical equipment, technology, staff development and advocacy efforts. The People Inc. Board of Directors are volunteers from the community who are committed to these philanthropic efforts. The People Inc. Foundation Board of Directors new slate of officers elected are: President - Bill Regan, retired executive SUNY at Buffalo; Vice President - Ralph J. Vanner, Jr., AssuredPartners; Treasurer - Alex Wehr, KeyBank  Secretary - Erica Sammarco, People Inc. The Foundation Board also welcomed Justin Waclawek, PharmD, of Parkview Health Services. Learn more about the People Inc. Board of Directors , the  People Inc. Foundation the  Foundation Board of Directors .

People Inc. Team Advocating for Increased Wages for Direct Support Professionals

Educating the New York State Legislature on the need to invest in the future of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the staff who support them was the purpose of a rally in Albany attended by People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey and several People Inc. employees. The People Inc. team joined the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY (DDAWNY) and hundreds of people, including people served and employees from agencies throughout the state, to press lawmakers on increased funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The issue was Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget, which includes only a 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for wages for DSPs, who provide essential care and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group used the opportunity to press for a 3.2% COLA to Medicaid rates for provider agencies in the final state budget that is due April 1, and a $4,000 wage enhancement for DSPs. The 3.2% COLA is critical for I/DD agencies to maintain programs and services in the midst of rising costs for food, supplies, utilities and other essential items. McCaffrey met with members of Governor Hochul's health-care team in the Executive Chamber, as well as members of the New York State Legislature, including State Senators Sean Ryan, Minority Leader Robert Ortt, and Assemblymembers Mike Norris, Karen McMahon, Monica Wallace and Patrick Burke. The rally was just one of several public appearances from McCaffrey and People Inc. staff recently in ongoing advocacy efforts for DSP wage increases. She was recently interviewed by WIVB and WGRZ in Buffalo regarding the budget.  To add your voice to these advocacy efforts, you can reach out to the elected officials using this one-click tool .   Non-profit leaders from across the state met with local elected officials to advocate for an increase in operational funding and direct support staff wages.

Anne McCaffrey, People Inc. President & CEO Interviewed by WGRZ

Anne McCaffrey, People Inc. President & CEO addresses the impact of the Governor's proposed 2024 New York State budget and advocates for increased funding for direct support staff wages and services. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently released the proposed 2024 state budget. While some supports for people with developmental disabilities were included, agencies like People Inc. are deeply concerned about the lack of state-funded substantial rate increases to cover all of the services that people with developmental disabilities need and wage enhancements for our dedicated direct support staff. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey joined WGRZ-TV on January 31 to discuss the potential impact of the proposed state budget, our agency's mission, the role of a DSP, what the Medicaid funding supports, and the need for funding to increase direct support wages.  Watch the interview here .

Anne McCaffrey, People Inc. President & CEO Interviewed by WIVB

Anne McCaffrey, People Inc. President & CEO, addresses the proposed New York State budget and concerns about funding for a Cost of Living Adjustment for DSPs. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul released the proposed state budget for 2024 in January. While some supports for people with developmental disabilities were included, agencies like People Inc. feel left out due to the lack of state-funded substantial cost of living increases and sustainable wage enhancements for our dedicated direct support staff. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey joined WIVB Channel 4 on January 18, to discuss the state budget, our agency's work and the need for funding to increase direct support wages.  Watch the interview here .