Training Psychology Doctoral Students to Support People with Disabilities

Faced with a dire need for clinicians and a nationwide lack of those trained to help answer the unique behavioral health needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the agency’s Behavioral Health Department got creative. Dr. Elizabeth Randall, PsyD, LMHC, a Behavioral Management Specialist at People Inc., sought membership with the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers to create a training program . The national organization pairs psychology doctoral students with organizations and training programs. People Inc. has the only program in Western New York specializing in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joining People Inc. in late summer, doctoral students Robia Robert Vedhanayakam and Michael Retallick each bring a wealth of experience to the agency and have quickly become an integral part of the clinical team. They are joined by Tara D. Howard, PsyD, NCSP, a Post-Doctoral Fellow, who is gaining experience toward her licensure, while offering her expertise to the clinical staff as well. Retallick has relocated for the year from the state of Washington, while Robert Vedhanayakam and Howard are from Western New York. The program’s primary purpose is to develop skilled practitioners competent in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, with specific skills that include providing evidence-based services, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate support and treatment planning. The fellows work within a treatment team to provide clinical support that promotes independence and person-centered care. The fellows bring original ideas and creative problem-solving to the clinical team. Robert Vedhanayakam has introduced using the Uno card game to encourage conversations related to emotions and feelings assigned to colors on the cards. She said that in her time at People Inc., she has tried to unlearn her own biases in working with people with developmental disabilities. Robert Vedhanayakam said she tries to get to know people and their life experiences and is focused on helping them reach their full potential and building meaningful relationships. “My experience here has taught me that being heard and seen is the therapeutic change,” she said. People with developmental disabilities experience many barriers to accessing clinical services, including insurance limitations and limited access to providers who are competent in providing clinical support to this population, Randall said. The fellows assist with complex evaluations and assessments, bridging the accessibility gap for counseling services by providing in-house counseling to those who have experienced barriers in connecting with a community provider. They provide clinical supervision of practicum students, develop training programs for agency staff, and try to bolster utilization of the agency’s Social Skill Program. The group is already helping to meet the clinical needs of people applying for and/or receiving services from People Inc., creating a win-win for the students and the agency. Retallick brought to the team the use of tabletop role-playing games in social skill training. As a certified therapeutic game master, he uses the collaborative storytelling experience within the framework of the game to encourage relating to the characters, discovering how the characters relate to each other and how the players learn to relate to each other. He shared that the internship program is helping expand and develop his abilities as a clinician. “I have been learning many new assessments and aspects of capacity that I had never been shown in my doctoral studies,” he said. In addition to all the clinical responsibilities, the fellows will undertake at People Inc., Dr. Randall is enthusiastic about the opportunity to build relationships and collaborations within the health-care field, and to create advocates who will take the experience of their fellowship to other health-related entities. She hoped that doors can be opened to educate community providers, helping to remove barriers and increase health outcomes.

Will You Help Us Make a Transformational Impact?

A message from Anne McCaffrey, President & CEO, People Inc. Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of compassionate, high-quality care on the people we serve. The knowledge, creativity, and dedication that our staff exhibit, make me incredibly proud of what we do for people receiving services and their families, and the special ways in which we carry out our mission. As the challenging and rewarding work we do grows and evolves, I’m reaching out to share how you can help us continue to expand this vital work. I invite you to consider donating to the People Inc. Foundation. Our donors make a transformational impact on the programs, facilities, and care People Inc. provides.  Click here  to make a gift today. With rising needs in our community and increased medical complexities, People Inc. is committed to innovation and expanding our resources to help more people and families. There are so many stories of how excellence is displayed by our staff every day. One example is Shirley Fernandez, an LPN clinical coordinator at People Inc., who shared how incredibly proud she is of her and her entire team's role in serving the people at their location. “At my work site, we consider ourselves family. We celebrate birthdays and holidays with residents and their loved ones. We mentor, support, and prepare one another for the opportunities and challenges ahead.” Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission today and our future. Your support provides People Inc. with the financial strength and flexibility necessary to drive our new strategic plans forward and ensure excellence in our programs and services.  

Giving Back and Growing Essential Life Skills

People who participate in People Inc.’s Community Active People Program (CAPP) make a meaningful contribution to the community through their volunteer efforts. Starting their days in Buffalo, Depew, Tonawanda and West Seneca, they increase their community independence and build skills to reach personal goals by helping area organizations. These adults learn how to contribute to the well-being of others while learning about teamwork, responsibility, empathy, organization and communication. Each volunteer shift is a chance to build confidence and independence. Recently, we caught up with some of the busy volunteers supporting the efforts of FeedMore WNY and Harvest House. Helping to get ready for the upcoming holiday season, a group of volunteers helped to sort and stock food donations at FeedMore WNY, which aims to fight hunger and provide meals.

People Inc. Wins Statewide Housing Honors

Award honors innovation and excellence. The New York State Association for Affordable Housing honored People Inc. as the Non-Profit of the Year at a recent event in New York City. The award recognizes partners that have excelled in project completion, served their communities and special populations by going above and beyond, and have helped advance the industry over the past year. With over 30 properties offering 1,300 affordable housing units across the region, People Inc. continues to foster independence and improve lives. The dedicated staff help to provide safe, high-quality, affordable housing to people who are income eligible, often in underserved communities. Some of the units are reserved to support frail older adults, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or people with mobility, vision or hearing challenges. Our work goes beyond providing shelter — People Inc. is a leading provider of support services that help residents achieve stability and independence. These services include case management, mental health counseling, and transportation assistance. People Inc. staff ensure that residents are not only housed but are equipped with the resources they need to thrive. Additionally, People Inc. was recognized for its strong track record of providing a variety of unique residential opportunities for children, adults, and specialized homes for people with complex medical needs. Learn more about our Affordable and Senior Living Apartments.

Ombudsman Team Receives "Program of Excellence Award"

The Network in Aging of Western New York recognized program staff for their regional work by naming them the "Program of Excellence". For more than 13,000 older adults and people living with disabilities in Western New York’s long-term care facilities, the Region 15 NYS Ombudsman Program , administered through People Inc., serves as a crucial lifeline. Its mission is to ensure residents’ rights are upheld, offering much-needed advocacy, education and means of empowerment. “We are the voice of the voiceless,” says Susan Fenster, the program director for Region 15. “Many residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult care homes are among the most vulnerable in our community. They often don’t have family or friends who can advocate on their behalf. That’s where we come in—we make sure their rights are protected.” The program covers 118 long-term care facilities across Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties, providing support to residents who may otherwise go unheard. Since 2016, People Inc. has hosted the program for Region 15, managing it through a state grant. Volunteers are at the core of this work. Supported by a small staff, these trained individuals dedicate themselves to helping residents by listening to their concerns, investigating issues, and working to resolve complaints. In 2024 alone, Region 15’s volunteers donated more than 4,200 hours to advocating for a better quality of life for residents. Ultimately, the Ombudsman Program is about empowering older adults and people with disabilities to understand and exercise their rights, ensuring they receive quality care in an environment that respects their dignity.

Diverse Workforces Create Job Satisfaction

Celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities and their employers  With the unemployment rate among people with disabilities at three times the overall rate, ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities  secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment  is an important focus at People Inc.   Each October, People Inc. recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a reminder to acknowledge the value and talent workers with disabilities add to workplaces and the economy. The national theme for NDEAM 2024, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” speaks to a commitment to expanding the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the quality of those opportunities.   People Inc. currently provides employment support to 500 people with developmental disabilities across 150 local businesses and organizations. People with disabilities gain so much more than just paid employment – they become part of a broader community.   People Inc. recently recognized two of these partners during the WNY Employment Consortium’s annual luncheon. Walgreens and Brothers of Mercy Wellness Campus have created a welcoming work environment so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can learn, thrive, and contribute to their communities.  Walgreens  Over the past 10 years, several local Walgreens stores have partnered with People Inc. to create meaningful training and employment opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities through the company’s REDI (Recruiting Employees with Disabilities Initiative) program. The REDI program provides externship opportunities in which people can learn a variety of work and social skills in a real-world working environment. Through this program, externs learn to operate a cash register, stock and organize shelves, price and tag items, perform receiving/warehouse work, and provide exemplary customer service, and work on other skills to help the person maintain long-term employment. Successful candidates are usually offered permanent paid positions at a Walgreens location.       “Our collaboration with People Inc. enables us to build a community of outstanding talent and promote innovation,” said Julie Oakley, Walgreens Area Field Disability Specialist. “People Inc.'s steadfast commitment to independence empowers REDI participants to achieve new levels of success and enriches our workplace with diverse perspectives and skills. I am genuinely thankful for the work we’ve done together and look forward to further success.”

Sandie Brown-Maynard Named a Black Achiever

Sandie Brown-Maynard, People Inc. Clinical Associate Vice President,  was honored as one of the 2024 Black Achievers Award winners.

Bradford Watts Named to Powerful Business Leaders of Color List

Bradford Watts, People Inc. Associate Vice President - Community Relations & DEI, was named one of the top 100 Powerful Business Leaders of Color by Buffalo Business First..

Tom Golisano Pledges $5 Million Gift to People Inc.

People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey and Board Treasurer Dennis K. Schaeffer were in attendance at a special news conference in Rochester, NY on September 17, when Tom Golisano announced $360 million in donations across upstate New York, including People Inc. Golisano, the founder of Paychex, chair of the Golisano Foundation, and philanthropist, announced that his gifts will benefit 82 upstate New York non-profit organizations. People Inc. was notified that it would receive $1 million per year for five years totaling $5 million. Golisano’s gift represents the largest private donation in People Inc.’s history. People Inc. is one of only a handful of agencies in the Buffalo area who serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive a donation. McCaffrey said, "We are incredibly grateful for his generosity and for recognizing the impact our people and programs have on the lives of those we support. We will be formulating a thoughtful plan to maximize this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the thousands of people we serve." She added how incredibly moved she was by a letter from Golisano and his quote, “The only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away.”  People Inc. is grateful to Mr. Golisano, and all our donors who embrace this philosophy.