Family Education and Training Series available June through December 2008

What is Family Education and Training? As defined by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Family Education and Training (FET) may be provided to families of individuals enrolled in the Home and Community Based Waiver (HCB Waiver) who are under 18 years of age. The purpose of FET is to enhance the decision making capacity of the family unit, provide orientation regarding the nature and impact of developmental disabilities upon the consumer and his or her family, and inform them about service alternatives. FET is distinct from Service Coordination in that the purpose is to support the family unit in understanding and coping with the developmental disability. For families enrolled in the HCB Waiver who have FET listed as a service, the trainings are funded through OMRDD, up to 2 sessions per year. Each family is expected to attend at least one session per year in order to remain in the program. Some of the trainings are provided on an individual basis to cater to specific needs of the family and others are in group sessions in order to learn from each other as well as the trainer. It is important to call and register for the session that you are interested in attending as space is limited to 8 families. Families interested in learning more about a topic of interest are welcome to attend one of the sessions if they are not enrolled in the program as well. To learn more about Family Education and Training please contact Erica A. Newsom at 880-3831 or Lauren Stone at 880-3842. Click here to learn more about our Family Education and Training Series and their locations!

Family Support and Advisory Council is a Resource for Families

People Inc.’s Family Support and Advisory Council meets monthly and offers a chance for family members of the individuals we serve to meet and support one another, obtain insight on program development, discuss challenges and learn more about our programs and the resources that are available, in a non-threatening, friendly environment. At a meeting, held on March 9, Parent Network of WNY Executive Director Susan Barlow guest spoke about the support and education her nonprofit agency offers families of individuals with special needs (birth through adulthood) and for professionals including workshops and referral services. If you are a family member of an individual served by People Inc., or if you know of a family member who would benefit from attending the council meetings, the next meeting will be held Monday, April 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at our administrative headquarters, 1219 North Forest Road, Williamsville. Upcoming 2015 meeting dates, same time and location, are: June 15, July 13, September 14, November 9 and December 14. To RSVP or for more information, contact Stephanie Sullivan at ssullivan@people-inc.org or 716.817.7262.

Family-Friendly Mubu the Morph Summer Costume Party held at the Museum of disABILITY History

The Museum of disABILITY History will host Mubu’s Summer Costume Party on Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Whether a princess, super hero or favorite character, kids can dress up and have fun. The free community event will include prizes for creative costumes, crafts, snacks and Mubu the Morph book readings. There will also be members of the Superhero Alliance of WNY and photos can be taken with them. The event is an opportunity to learn about Mubu the Morph, a fun book series about self-confidence, for children grades K to 3. The book series is created and written by Stephen Nawotniak and illustrated by Jeffrey Scott Perdziak. Both of Clarence, they partnered with the Museum of disABILITY History to teach children about exploration, purpose and tolerance. For more information or to RSVP for the event, call 716.629.3626. Registration encouraged. Established in 1998, the Museum of disABILITY History is the only one of its kind in the United States and is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. The Museum’s exhibits, collections, publications, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery.

Fantasy Casino Night to be Held Thursday, October 20: Tickets Available

People Inc. announces the return of the “Fantasy Casino Night” for the fall event. Join People Inc. and the Southeast Foundation at our Annual Fall Event to be held on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30 to 10 p.m., at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew, NY. The public is invited to purchase tickets for this fun-filled evening! Here’s the Deal: Guests will start the night with chips to participate in blackjack, roulette and craps! The event features: stations with hors d’oeuvres, entrées and desserts; an open bar, raffles and more.  During the event, we will honor our 2020, 2021 and 2022 Direct Support Professionals of the Year, inspirational examples of our dedicated front-line workforce. Purchase your tickets before they sell out – individual tickets are $75, a package of 6 tickets is $400! For more information, contact Christine Melchiorre at  cmelchiorre@people-inc.org  or call 716.817.7269.  Sponsorships are also available.  Event proceeds benefit People Inc., the region’s leading multispecialty nonprofit health and human services agency, helping more than 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. The Southeast Foundation raises funds to enhance employment opportunities for adults with disabilities supported by People Inc. across the region, including within its Supported Employment placements, Vocational Services and Contract Manufacturing Program.

Feel Good News: Featuring Paralympian Mike Schultz 

People Inc. was thrilled to host Paralympian and Author Monster Mike Schultz for a presentation and book signing on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at its new People Inc. Health Services Building in Buffalo, NY! Schultz shared some details about his experiences and read excerpts from his book, Driven to Ride: The True Story of an Elite Athlete Who Rebuilt His Leg, His Life and His Career. The memoir is co-authored by journalist and Buffalo, NY native, Matt Higgins, and covers sports, business, Schultz’s experiences with injury, recovery and triumph, as well as working together as a team with his wife Sara Schultz.    A series of videos were created to highlight Schultz’s presentation, as well as our People Inc. Rehabilitative Health Services . Check out the videos:  A People Inc. Interview with Mike Schultz  Services at the People Inc. Health Services Building  Mike Schultz Discusses Safety for Kids   Mike Schultz Reads an Excerpt from “Driven to Ride” 

Film Premiere about People Inc.’s Guys Group Cross-country Road Trip that Changed them for a Lifetime

Film Showcases Experiential Learning by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities  What: The Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series will debut the documentary, Six Guys, 6,000 Miles, at its sold-out event. Attendees will experience the red carpet treatment with a chance to take photos of the stars of the documentary. When: Friday, August 12, 2016. Two film showings at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., with a reception at 5 p.m. Q&A included. Film: 75 minutes, no rating. Where: The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY (enter from North Bailey Avenue) Information: Six Guys, 6,000 Miles documents a one-of-a-kind cross-country trip by four participants in People Inc.’s Guys Group, a social group for young men with developmental disabilities, and two life quality coaches. In June 2015, they embarked on a journey from Buffalo, NY to the west coast, for an experiential learning trip that could not be further from ordinary. With the assistance and support of two People Inc. life quality coaches – the trip was their chance to learn in action everything from planning and budgeting to safety and social skills – and at the same time enjoy the everyday tourist experience of visiting the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hollywood. They also visited other human service agencies, sharing their Life Quality Coaching philosophy and encouraged them to create similar programs. DVDs of the film will be available at the event and, starting August 13, at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo, NY.  The Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series educates viewers, offers different perspectives, challenges stereotypes and celebrates the contributions of people with disabilities. Learn more at disabilityfilmfest.org . This event is sponsored by People Inc., The Buffalo News and WBBZ-TV.  People Inc. provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York and Rochester. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. To learn more, visit people-inc.org , facebook.com/peopleinc and Twitter, @PeopleIncNews . Established in 1998, the Museum of disABILITY History is the only one of its kind in the United States and is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. The Museum’s exhibits, collections, publications, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery. To learn more, visit museumofdisability.org , facebook.com/museumofdisability and Twitter, @Musedisability . 

Find out where the presidential candidates stand on issues!

This Presidential Election is one of the most critical in recent times. Please post the attached flyer at all sites. Come to the first ever webcast of The National Forum on Disability Issues to find out where the presidential candidates stand on issues affecting people with disabilities. When: July 26, 2008, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Where: People Inc. Northtown Plaza 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY Please click here  for additional locations and ways to view the webcast. Click here  to read more about the "Get Out the Vote" campaign.

First Niagara Foundation Grant to Assist Life Coaching Mentoring Program

People Inc. received a $5,000 grant for our Girls Night Out Group, a unique mentoring program for young women with intellectual or developmental disabilities, from First Niagara Foundation. We are thankful for these funds as the grant will support participants overcome obstacles as they transition into adulthood, learn to live independently and develop life skills. To learn more, click here .

FIVE OPEN HOUSES! ONE DAY!

This Saturday, October 17, five People Inc. senior living communities will have open houses from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. People Inc.'s affordable senior living apartments provide beautiful, safe apartments at a price seniors can afford. And with 16 locations throughout WNY, there is no need to leave the community you love! People Inc.'s Senior Living Apartments offer a great opportunity for low-income seniors. Our award-winning apartments are for seniors, age 62 and up, who meet federally mandated income guidelines. The rent includes gas heat, water, kitchen appliances, and is based on the applicant's income. Visit us between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. this Saturday at the following locations!   Click here to find the closest People Inc. Senior Apartment location!   Learn more about People Inc.'s affordable Senior Apartments! Unable to attend? No problem! Call to schedule a tour at 817.9090.