People Inc. Celebrates Grand Opening of its People Shoppe in the Tri-Main Center

A new initiative where every purchase has a purpose to support people with disabilities People Inc. opened its newest vocational initiative to provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to engage with the community through meaningful activities and hands-on work experience through the People Shoppe. Every purchase supports the agency’s mission to provide inclusive experience, including training for a career in retail by exploring every aspect of operating a store from inventory to stocking to customer service to sales. Working toward achieving these skills at the store located at the Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, is part of the individualized goals that each of the participants set for themselves. Speakers who addressed those gathered included: City of Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr.; Erie County Office for People with Disabilities Director Frank Cammarata; Tri-Main Development President Matthew Wolfe; People Shoppe Ambassador Jackie Baich; People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick and People Inc. Vice President and Southeast Foundation Board Member Tim Pfohl. Members of the Project Development Team, funding partners, community leaders, People Inc. volunteers and staff, as well as people who participate in the People Shoppe experience also were in attendance. People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick stated, “From an idea to a reality, this project has been a true collaborative journey with many people coming together to make this day possible, including Deaf Access Services, an affiliate of People Inc., Tri-Main Development, the Southeast Foundation Board, as well as all of the People Inc. support departments. The primary purpose of this space is not as a retail outlet, but instead a space for people to come and build relationships, engage with the community and enjoy a hands-on experience.”  Frederick added, “Ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and varying abilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important part of what People Inc. does year-round. Hiring a qualified person with a disability brings greater benefits beyond just filling an open job – it means increased productivity, enhanced corporate culture and dedicated, loyal and efficient employees – all of which contribute to a company’s success!” People Inc. Vice President and Southeast Foundation Board Member Tim Pfohl shared, “The participants from the programs, our Ambassadors, have focused on engaging the Tri-Main’s business tenants and guests, asking for their suggestions for items to carry, increasing traffic and sharing information about People Inc. in general. One group, using donated flowers, created arrangements and distributed them to all of the building’s tenants.” People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

People Inc. Celebrates Opening of Folwell Senior Apartments

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and several other elected officials and community partners joined People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey today in celebrating the opening of People Inc. Folwell Senior Apartments, a $15.3 million conversion of the former Women and Children’s Hospital building into affordable house for seniors.  The People Inc. development, at 140 Hodge Ave., Buffalo, includes 44 affordable and supportive apartments for qualifying residents aged 62 and over and is part of the Elmwood Crossing project in the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood. The complex includes seven units for seniors in need of supportive services to live independently. “Folwell Apartments will provide safe, stable homes for seniors while breathing new life into Buffalo’s Elmwood Village neighborhood," Governor Hochul said. Hochul's comprehensive Housing Plan for New York includes creating approximately 100,000 new or repurposed affordable homes across the state. “Today we celebrate another step in the right direction in expanding access to affordable housing for seniors in the City of Buffalo,” McCaffrey said. “It has been well-documented that our region is in need of additional affordable housing options, especially for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”  Folwell is People Inc.’s seventh affordable housing initiative using Low Income Housing Tax Credits, including 413 new housing units in Western New York. “The housing we have created is life-changing for many of our residents who have been moving in over recent weeks,” said McCaffrey.   New Folwell resident Michael Cureton agreed his life has changed, telling the audience, “I love my apartment,” he said. “From Day 1, people here have been just fantastic. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown thanked Governor Hochul and other partners in the project and mentioned the city’s longstanding relationship with People Inc. “I’m honored to continue our collaboration and to see yet another affordable housing initiative flourish,” Mayor Brown said.  Approximately 30 of the 44 apartments are currently occupied.  For more information about Folwell Senior Apartments, click here . 

People Inc. Certified Home Health Agency Earns Home Care Association of New York State Triple Aim Quality and Innovation Award

August 29, 2019: The Home Care Association (HCA) of New York State presented awards to exceptional individuals and programs, recognizing their excellence and expertise in the home care and hospice fields across New York State at a recent conference.  People, Home Health Services-Certified, Inc., an affiliate of People Inc. Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), was recently recognized with the Triple Aim Quality and Innovation Award for its team efforts to integrate telemedicine technology into community-based care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Medicaid is the primary source of health coverage for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This sub-population tends to use health care at a significantly higher rate. Instead of a person being sent directly to the emergency room or urgent care (ER/UC), the new system is able to quickly and efficiently provide quality services using best practices.  Inspired by the state’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, People, Home Health Services–Certified, Inc. has deployed a telemedicine technology pilot program into each of its group homes for the past three years. The project currently has approximately 950 individuals participating, of which 436 are Medicaid patients. Under this program, an RN is deployed for an assessment in response to an injury or illness call. The RN uses the telemedicine technology to remotely connect with a physician, who performs a video assessment of the person. Based on this assessment, the CHHA RN can perform a cardiac, dermatological, EKG and other state-of-the-art assessments. The onsite RN can then implement new orders such as point-of-care testing, basic lab work with bedside results within minutes, splinting or IV therapy, among others. Radiology and imaging services can also be done on site. ER visits have subsequently dropped from 120 to 80 per month, with UC visits now executed in the home whenever possible. Based on its outcomes, People Inc. believes telemedicine services can reduce the number of ER/UC visits by 25 percent, representing a potential annual cost savings of $199,009, even when program costs are factored. These are meaningful outcomes, which directly mirror the goals of state efforts to curb higher-cost service utilization through DSRIP and other initiatives. The Triple Aim demands that home care and other providers work to: improve patients’ experiences of care (including satisfaction); address the health of populations; and reduce per-capita costs in the health care system. This HCA award recognizes those who have implemented a concrete, innovative clinical model, workforce supports, patient or staff education program, or other initiative with demonstrated outcomes in terms of client satisfaction, population health improvement and cost reduction or avoidance. “HCA’s award recipients are not only exemplary individuals, but each person has contributed to the home care and hospice fields in distinct ways,” said HCA President and CEO Al Cardillo. “They’ve gone to extraordinary lengths helping a particular patient on a particular day. They’ve improved a patient’s overall experience of care, and they’ve influenced broader changes in the very way that home care and hospice are delivered.” “We tested a hypothesis to see if employing telemedicine services in our group homes would reduce the number of ER/UC visits,” remarked Bonnie Sloma, People Inc. Senior Vice President. “We did reduce the number of visits, but more importantly, our residents reported a 95 percent satisfaction rate, which is amazing for a new program.” People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

People Inc. Chocolate Sale – Delicious Fowler’s Chocolate

Many Opportunities for Businesses Available Join in our annual Chocolate Sale! People Inc. will receive 100 percent of the net proceeds! Please consider ordering chocolate (or Easter candy) for your kids, sweetie, family or for yourself through this event. Ask a few friends and family members to do the same! Ordering online through our pre-sale ensures the best selection and provides extra time to package your order personally. All orders can be placed by visiting the People Inc. website and completing a secure online check out between now and February 17. It’s simple: just visit www.people-inc.org , click on the Chocolate Sale button and choose that chocolate you have been craving all year. Even a small purchase helps so order some delicious Fowlers chocolate and support this great cause! Attention businesses and organizations? You can help too! Join us in a Presale Partnership: a no hassle, convenient opportunity to make a difference! Features and benefits include: • Recognition in Buffalo Business First • Corporate representative to appear on “The Kiosk Presents” daily TV show • Custom promotional materials • Invitation to the media kick-off event • Formal check presentation and photo plaque • Delivery options available For more information on the pre-sale or to customize a business or organization level of participation, contact Sarah Snyder at ssnyder@people-inc.org or call 716.817.7269.

People Inc. Chocolate Store Hosts Kids Day at Airport Plaza Jewelers “The Showroom”

Aaaaand…….What’s up Doc? Meet Bugs Bunny! Bring Your Camera! Kids Day at Chocolate Store Showroom Hosted by People Inc. Saturday, March 31, 2012 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bugs Bunny Appearance: noon-3:30 p.m. Airport Plaza Jewelers - “The Showroom” 4230 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY (33 Expressway East to the Union Road Exit, behind the Kiosk and next to Subway) In conjunction with People Inc.’s Fowler’s Chocolate Fundraising Sale, “The Showroom” Store at Airport Plaza Jewelers will host a Kid’s Day, a fun free event for the entire family. There will be appearance presented by Time Warner Cable by Bugs Bunny, between noon-3:30 p.m. for kids to enjoy. Kids on the Block of WNY, a project of People Inc., will greet visitors from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids on the Block is an internationally acclaimed educational program promoting the awareness and acceptance of individual differences through the use of live puppet theater. Bring your camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny and Bugs Bunny! Additionally, there will also be face painting for kids to enjoy.    For the third year in a row, People Inc. has partnered with Fowler’s Chocolates and Airport Plaza Jewelers for a community-wide chocolate fundraiser. People Inc. will receive 100 percent of the net proceeds. The Airport Plaza Jewelers “Showroom” has been transferred into a beautifully decorated Chocolate Store. The store will be open until April 7 with various hours for community members to purchase chocolate sweets and to benefit a worthy cause all at the same time. Through a variety of services including residential, supported employment, community outreach, health care, recreation programs and senior living apartments, People Inc. assists individuals with disabilities and their families, and seniors to live independent and productive lives. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 10,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

People Inc. Continues Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important part of what People Inc. does year-round. During the annual WNY Employment Consortium luncheon recently, People Inc. had the opportunity to acknowledge Grace Guest House and the Audubon Branch Library who have created a welcoming work environment so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are able to learn, thrive and contribute to their communities.

People Inc. Daffodil Senior Hosts “Get the Scoop” Open House

People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living will host the “Get the Scoop” Open House on Wednesday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 160 Robin Road, Amherst. The free community event will provide information and eligibility requirements for affordable senior apartments. Ice cream and live entertainment will be provided, along with hot dogs and hamburgers. For independent seniors age 62 or older, People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living apartments include a living room, one bedroom, kitchen with appliances and accessible bathroom. Monthly rent is based on income and some utilities are included. Potential tenants need to meet both the federally mandated income and age requirements at the time of application. The exceptionally maintained apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities, 24-hour on-call building services and group transportation to grocery stores. Service coordinators are available to provide connections to services as needed to tenants at no extra charge. For older adults who like to remain active, there are a variety of activities held throughout the year. People Inc.’s Daffodil Senior Living is centrally located to Clarence, Tonawanda and Williamsville. The Audubon Library, Amherst Senior Center, churches, restaurants, walking paths and shopping districts are nearby.  To RSVP for this event, call 716.625.6081. People Inc. Senior Living manages 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York providing safe, affordable housing for seniors age 62 and older who meet income requirements. To learn more about other locations, call 716.817.9090. 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. Like us on Facebook at People Inc. and follow us on Twitter @PeopleIncNews .

People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living Apartments in Amherst Hosts Open House and Ice Cream Social

People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living Apartments will host an open house and Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 2, from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. at 160 Robin Road in Amherst . Seniors looking to downsize or looking for affordable housing and family members helping their loved ones are encouraged to attend to receive a tour and learn about income eligibility. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Don Paul, meteorologist from WIVB-TV Channel 4. For seniors age 62 or older, People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living apartments include a living room, one bedroom, kitchen with appliances and accessible bathroom. Monthly rent is based on income. The exceptionally maintained apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities, 24 on-call building services and group transportation to grocery stores. Service coordinators are available to provide necessary supports. For seniors who like to remain active, there are a variety of activities held throughout the year. People Inc.’s Daffodil Senior Living Apartments in Amherst is located in a suburban neighborhood between Williamsville and Tonawanda. The Audubon Library, Amherst Senior Center, churches, restaurants, walking paths and shopping districts are nearby. Tenants can enjoy the beautiful gardens at the apartment building while relaxing in the courtyard. For more information about the Open House and Ice Cream Social, call 716.625.6081. People Inc. manages 17 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York providing safe, affordable housing for seniors age 62 and older who meet income requirements. For more information about other locations, call 716.817.9090.

People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living in Amherst Hosts Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale

Apartment Applications Accepted for Affordable Senior Apartments May 30, 2017: Whether thinking of downsizing or removing the burden of household maintenance, People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living provides seniors the chance to live affordably. To showcase its apartment building, an Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale will be held on Friday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 160 Robin Road, Amherst. Apartments are for seniors, age 62 and up who are income eligible. Apartment applications are being accepted and tours will be available during the event. The multi-family yard sale will be held in conjunction with the Open House event. Household goods, furniture, books, clothing and other items will be available for purchase.  Two benefits of People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living are its affordability and safety features. Monthly rent is based on the tenant’s and/or couple’s adjusted income. Some utilities are included. For added safety, there is a day-time manager and a live-in caretaker for building emergencies. Safety features include stove fire prevention devices, grab bars in the bathroom, emergency pull-cords and a secure entrance. The apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities and a 24-hour response system. The one-bedroom apartments include a kitchen with appliances. Tenants are welcome to have one small pet. Service coordinators are available to provide tenants assistance to supports and services at no extra charge. Group transportation to grocery stores is provided. For tenants who like to socialize, there are a variety of social events and community outings held throughout the year. People Inc. Daffodil Senior Living is located between Williamsville and Tonawanda. The Audubon Library, Amherst Senior Center, churches, restaurants, walking paths and stores are nearby. To learn more about the Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale or to RSVP, call 716-625-6081.  People Inc. manages 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New. For more information about other locations, call 716-817-9090. People Inc. provides programs and services to more than 12,500 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. Like us on Facebook at People Inc. and follow us on Twitter @PeopleIncNews.