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Services
Community Habilitation
Erie, Monroe and Niagara
People Inc. Community Habilitation can support a person with acquiring, retaining or improving life skills for the purpose of gaining and/or maintaining their independence.
Services are provided in the home and/or in a persons’ community on a one-on-one basis.
The person-centered program is based upon the idea of skill-building. People often set goals based on: money management, cooking, home and community safety, personal organization, household responsibilities and building community independence.
Hours are flexible and staffing is based around the needs of the person receiving this service. Day, evening and weekend staffing is available.
Specialized Community Habilitation
Individualized Residential Alternative
Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) Community Habilitation follows the same vision as traditional Community Habilitation, but the requirements differ. In order to be eligible, a person must live at an IRA group home and not attend any day program more than part-time. All services must start prior to 3 p.m. and can only take place Monday through Friday. All services must take place outside of the IRA.
Agency Supported Self-Directed
Agency Supported Self-Directed Community Habilitation follows all the same requirements and regulations as traditional Community Habilitation with the exception of staffing. It is a hybrid model made up of traditional and Self-Directed Community Habilitation.
People Inc. handles onboarding, training, payroll and any issues and/or concerns with staff. The person receiving the service and/or their family are responsible for finding their own staff and make their own schedules.
All Community Habilitation services are non-certified programs.
Age: 18+ | Admissions
Community Skills Enhancement Program
Erie
Designed to teach parents how to foster positive behaviors in their children and develop effective techniques for dealing with behavior challenges.
Ages: 3 to 12
Educational Advocacy
Erie, Niagara
Created to help families, educational staff, care coordinators and various health care providers navigate challenging situations within the educational system. Educational Advocates work with the Special Education System, attend Committee on Special Education (CSE)/ Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) meetings and provide direct advocacy to ensure that educational needs are being met. Advocates act as liaisons between school district personnel and families with the goal of developing collaborative partnerships. Advocates consult with parents/ guardians regarding educational concerns. The goal of the program is to help parents/guardians strengthen their advocacy skills during CSE/CPSE meetings through education and training regarding the special education process.
Ages: 3 to 21
Family Advocacy
Ensuring that children receive appropriate services is important. People Inc. Family Advocacy Services is a program through NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Parent advocacy, educational advocacy and tutoring are available to support the needs of children and young adults with developmental disabilities, while providing necessary support to families.
Enrollees must reside with a family member to be eligible for this program and have NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) eligibility.
Family Education and Training (FET) Series
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates
Age: Up to 18
Created for families with children with developmental disabilities to enhance the decision-making capacity of the family unit, provide orientation regarding the nature and impact of developmental disabilities upon the person and their family and inform them about service alternatives. Additionally, FET will assist the family unit in understanding and nurturing their child with a developmental disability.
Funding & Enrollment: 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 2024 FET Presentation Schedule and Registration Form.
These trainings continue to be available primarily through virtual communication, however, some instructors may be available for in-person one-on-one sessions. The current list presents all of the available programs. Please note, that the trainings will be arranged based on needs of the family/caregiver needs, as well as the ability of the instructors to provide the training based on their own schedules. The FET Coordinator will work with each family to arrange the best possible educational/informational experience.
Contact us at FET@people-inc.org for additional information. The People Inc. Admissions Department is available to assist with all of your questions or concerns.
For Western New York: Fill out the form attached at the end of the PDF and return it via the mail to: FET Coordinator, 280 Spindrift Drive, Williamsville NY 14221, or by email to FET@people-inc.org. If you need more information, contact your Care Coordinator or FET by phone at 716.880.3867 or by email at FET@people-inc.org.
For Greater Rochester region: Fill out the form attached at the end of the PDF and return it via the mail to: FET Coordinator, 280 Spindrift Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221, or by email to FET@people-inc.org. If you need more information, contact your Care Coordinator or FET by phone at 585.441.9300 or by email at FET@people-inc.org.
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 2024 presentation schedule and registration form.
Guardianship
This program ensures that a person with a developmental disability is provided for when the current guardian is no longer able to act on the person’s behalf.
Age: 18+
Parent Advocacy
Erie, Niagara
The Parent Advocacy Program offers support to children and young adults with developmental disabilities at medical appointments. Parent Advocates provide assistance, transportation (if Medicaid transportation is not appropriate), translation (Spanish) and coordinate/schedule medical appointments. Parent Advocates may also coordinate and assist in scheduling of Medicaid transportation.
Ages: All
Parent Aide Program
Designed to help families navigate the often confusing service system. Parent aides provide advocacy, translation services and support to families in need.
Age: all, must live with family
Information: 716.880.3700
Personal Development Mentoring
Erie and Niagara
A Personal Development Mentor (PDM) guides a person age 18+ towards identifying their strengths, uncovering authentic talents and applying their unique abilities in pursuit of their goals. The PDM helps to bridge the gap between where a person is and where they want to be by assisting with problem solving, decision making and goal attainment in daily life. This is a transitional, three to six month program that focuses on skill-building with an emphasis on community integration. Funded by Family Support Services (FSS) or Community Habilitation.
How it Works
The program uses one-on-one coaching to achieve personalized goals. It is built on a system of mutual accountability between the PDM and the participant as they develop a contract with expected outcomes and goals, as well as respective roles in moving toward achieving that goal.
All goals are broken down into smaller achievable actions, and participants are guided through the steps necessary to complete their goal. The idea is for each person to have gained the confidence and tools needed to move forward with the goal on their own.
For more information on PDM, call 716.880.3700. Want to join the program? Ask your care coordinator to make a referral.
Eligibility
In order to qualify, the person must fit criteria for People Inc. Community Hab/Community Hab IRA. They must not require one-to-one supervision and must not have intensive behavioral concerns. The person must also have a goal that cannot be met by traditional services. This is a mentoring relationship that remains short-term in nature and is intended to give someone a boost of extra support at a specific time in their life.
For more information on PDM, call 716.880.3700. Want to join the program? Ask your care coordinator to make a referral.
Pooled Trust
The WNY Coalition Pooled Trust is a collaboration between People Inc., Center for Elder Law & Justice and KeyBank. It has been in existence since 2004, serving hundreds of beneficiaries. A pooled trust is a type of Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) intended to help people with disabilities maintain Medicaid eligibility or Social Security by depositing their income or a lump sum into the trust. The money deposited can be used to pay bills and expenses (with some limitations); all while not jeopardizing Medicaid or other Social Security Benefits.
Let us show you how OUR Pooled Trust can protect the financial future of your loved one with special needs and you.
Information: 716.817.7484
Self-Direction
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates
Self-Direction is an HCBS Waiver service that provides the opportunity for anyone age 4 and up with OPWDD approval to choose which supports and services work best for them. People can gain confidence in choosing how and when services are provided, and who will provide the support. Through Self-Direction, the person (or a designee) acts as the manager of their services. The person has a team, consisting of their Fiscal Intermediary (FI), Support Broker, Care Manager, and whoever else they would like to include. The team supports the person to make decisions about the budget, services, goals to achieve, and even who they want to hire! This gives the person increased flexibility and more control over their services. If you would like to learn more about Self-Direction, please contact us for guidance on how to attend an informational session provided by OPWDD.
Why Should I Choose Self-Direction?
In addition to gaining greater choice and control, a self-directed plan may include unique options such as:
- Gym memberships
- Classes
- Camps within New York State and accredited through the Department of Health
- Hiring your own staff
- Rent subsidies and housing supports
- Reimbursement for clothing, internet and cell phones (18 and over)
- Other items that may help increase independence
How Do I Get Started?
Contact your Care Coordinator. The Care Coordinator will work with you to ensure you are authorized for services. Should you choose People Inc. to provide your Fiscal Intermediary (FI) Services, your Care Coordinator will complete a referral form for you and return it to us with the requested documentation. Should you have any questions about FI or Brokerage, contact us.
Fiscal Intermediary (FI) Services
A Fiscal Intermediary (FI) is required to Self-Direct your services. Your FI will assist you to manage the Medicaid money associated with your budget. The FI supports you to recruit and hire your own staff, review and process reimbursements, monitor expenses and ensure all the required documentation is in place for Medicaid billing and compliance.
Support Brokerage
Through person-centered planning, your Support Broker will help you build confidence in developing and navigating your budget, plus any self-directed supports. The broker works to develop a person's circle of support and works closely with your Care Coordinator and FI to develop a budget based on the support and services you want and need.
Brokers are important as they make changes to the budget to meet a person's changing needs, as well as identify which goals a person wants to achieve with staff support.
People Inc. has a team of agency brokers, as well as contracts with many independent brokers. Our team can provide a current broker list upon request.
Tutoring
Erie
Specially trained educators provide 1:1 tutoring in the home or in the community. Goals of the Tutoring Program are established in collaboration with the person receiving services and their parents/guardians. Assistance can be provided with homework, study skills and other tasks.
Ages: 3 to 21 | Admissions >