People Inc. Wins Bid to Coordinate NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Locally

Agency Committed to Improving an Already Strong Program People Inc., Western New York’s leading health and human services agency, was recently selected by The New York State Office for the Aging to operate the New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The agency was selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process and began operating the program earlier this month.   The move comes as part of The Office for the Aging’s efforts to revamp,  revitalize and reorganize the program statewide, dividing the state into 15 regions and selecting 15 organizations to operate the programs within them. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program provides resources and advocates for older adults who live in nursing homes, assisted living and other licensed adult care homes. Ombudsmen help residents understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.   People Inc. was founded in 1971 and helps our community’s most vulnerable people, individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs and senior adults, lead more healthy, independent and productive lives. It operates 180 locations in nine counties and employs 3,400 people. The agency has been supporting seniors in the markets it serves for 22 years, including operating 19 senior housing facilities, a senior companion program and a day program for seniors. “Coordinating this program is a natural for us because it builds on our history of advocacy and our work with senior adults,” said People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick. “We are proud to bring our resources and experience to this program that does so much to protect the health, safety and well-being of those who live in long term care facilities. We are committed to continuing the great work that has already been done.”   The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated federally by the Older Americans Act and requires every state to have a program that advocates on behalf of residents in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities. The program’s goal is to address concerns of residents, be a trusted resource and advocate for positive changes in the long term care system. The heart of the program is the core group of volunteers called Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen go through comprehensive training to be certified to listen to, investigate and resolve complaints on behalf of long-term care residents. Ombudsmen routinely visit long term care facilities to ensure the needs of the residents are being met. Ombudsmen meet with residents, their family and friends and facility staff.   Inspired by his father’s move into a skilled nursing facility, Joe Cal, a retiree and resident of Orchard Park, NY, has been an Ombudsman for the past eight and a half years. He says it is a role that is uniquely rewarding.   “You get more out of it than you put in, and when you leave for the day you know you have really done something to help someone,” said Cal. “We are not there to be adversaries, we are advocates, mediators and partners who appreciate the backgrounds and experiences of residents and want them to know that we have their backs. There is something really wonderful about being the person who has someone’s back. Words cannot describe it.”   As part of its new role coordinating the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, People Inc. is looking to add to the already 100 volunteers who support the program and is offering comprehensive training at convenient times for working adults. With a minimum commitment of two hours per week, Ombudsmen have the ability to decide the days and the times they work. Ombudsmen are also well supported after the training ends.   If you would like to learn more about becoming an Ombudsman, call 716.817.9222.

People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair

Come learn more about People Inc.'s 50 unique and innovative programs! Date: October 13, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive (Northtown Business Center) Amherst, NY 14226 We are easiest to find by turning into the plaza from Bailey Avenue. People Inc. will be the first door of the plaza coming from Bailey Avenue. Please use our main front door. Kids on the Block to perform at 11 a.m. Staffing provided. Kids can watch the performance while you learn more about People Inc. services. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! For more information, call Linda Rinaldo 817.7481 or Jim Scutt at 817.5753. Click here to view the flyer!

People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair is ON!

Come learn more about People Inc.'s 50 unique and innovative programs! Date: January 29, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive (Northtown Business Center) Amherst, NY 14226 We are easiest to find by turning into the plaza from Bailey Avenue. People Inc. will be the first door of the plaza coming from Bailey Avenue. Please use our main front door. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! If bad weather is occurring, you may call People Inc.'s snow closing line at 817.5700 any time after 8 a.m. on the day of the event to check on the status of the fair. For more information, call Linda Rinaldo at 817.7481 or Jim Scutt at 694.6624 ext. 263.

People Inc.'s Elmwood Health Center Earns National Recognition

People Inc.'s Elmwood Health Center, 2128 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, has been recognized as a Physician Practice Connections - Patient Centered Medical Home (PPC-PCMH) by the National Commission for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The Elmwood Health Center is located between Hertel and Kenmore Avenues. NCQA officials said that the three-year recognition was awarded to the Elmwood Health Center for using information systems to measure practice-wide clinical quality and improve clinical outcomes at the point of care. "This certification and national honor is a tribute to the providers and staff at the Elmwood Health Center whose embracement of electronic medical records (EMR) technology has had a significant impact on the quality of patient care," said Thomas Artim, MD, People Inc. medical director. Physician Practice Connections-Patient Centered Medical Home recognizes those medical practices that use information systematically to improve the quality of patient care. Numerous studies, including the Institute of Medicine's Fostering Rapid Advances in Health, have called for the systemic use of health care information, including more widespread adoption of information technology such as electronic health records. The Elmwood Health Center implemented EMR technology just over one year ago. Currently, all the providers at the Elmwood Health Center are using the electronic medical record on a routine basis. "Having health information at the point of care is critical to the delivery of quality health services," said Anna Korus, vice president of Health and Senior Services for People Inc. "PPC-PCMH identifies those health care providers who make the most of the clinical information they have on hand to make better decisions and provide better follow-up care to their patients." In earning NCQA recognition, the Elmwood Health Center providers and staff met key PPC-PCMH standards in all of the areas required including: use of patient registries, use of Electronic systems provision of educational resources in English and/or a second language, practice-wide quality measures and improvement efforts, screening referrals and follow-up for at-risk patients and structured care of patients with chronic conditions. Founded in 1994, the Elmwood Health Center provides both primary and specialty care services to a diverse patient base and is recognized locally for its care of those with special needs and records more than 36,000 visits annually. 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.'s Elmwood Health Center Earns National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care

Receives Highest Level Possible from National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)   People Inc., Western New York's leading non-profit human services agency, announced today that its Elmwood Health Center in Buffalo has been certified at the highest level possible by the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home program.   Elmwood Health Center was recognized by the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program for “using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships.” It was certified at Level 3, PCMH by NCQA.   “We are very pleased and honored to receive national recognition for what we do at Elmwood Health Center in coordinating care and communication into a transformational primary care model of what patients want care to be,” said Rhonda Frederick, chief operating officer for People Inc. “It’s a credit to our entire Elmwood Health Center team.” Located at 2128 Elmwood Ave., the Elmwood Health Center provides a wide range of medical, rehabilitative therapies and counseling services for individuals of all ages as well as specially designed services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Among these services are adult and pediatric primary health care, audiology, podiatry, mental health counseling services gynecology, neurology, occupational, physical and speech therapies, and support groups.   “The patient-centered medical home raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and partnerships between clinicians and patients,’ said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “PSMH recognition shows Elmwood Health Center has the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care at the right time.”   To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, Elmwood Health Center demonstrated the ability to meet the PCMH program’s key elements embodying characteristics of the medical home. The standards are aligned with the joint principles of the PCMH established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. Elmwood Health Center met key PCMH program components in these specific areas: Written standards for patient access and contnuity of care. Use of patient feedback materials Appropriate use of charting tools to track patients and organize clinical information Responsive care management techniques with an emphasis on preventative care for individual patients and for the entire patient population Adaptation to patient's cultural and linguistic needs Use of information technology for prescriptions, test and referral tracking and coordination with other health care providers Use of evidence-based guidelines to treat chronic conditions Measurement and reporting of clinical and service performance According to NCQA, research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and improve patients’ and providers’ reported experiences of care.   The PCMH identifies practices that promote partnerships between individual patients and their personal clinicians, instead of treating patient care as the sum of several episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is tended to by clinician-led care teams, who provide for all the patient’s health care needs and coordinate treatments across the health care system.   NCQA says medical home clinicians demonstrate the benchmarks of patient-centered care, including open scheduling, expanded hours and appropriate use of proven health information systems.   About NCQA   NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.   About People Inc.   People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 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.'s Incredible Years Program is accepting participants

Program provides free training for parents Buffalo, N.Y. August 11, 2009: Children do not come with an instruction book, but help is available for parents. People Inc. is offering parents the Incredible Years Program , a free training program to help parents learn how to: Foster a positive relationship with your child Improve your child's compliance and cooperation Decrease negative behaviors at home Develop your child's social skills The Incredible Years Program offers research-based, effective programs for reducing children's aggression and behavior problems, and increasing social competence at home and at school. In the Incredible Years Program, you will learn how to cope with the stresses of parenthood, avoid power struggles, determine appropriate consequences, and develop creative and imaginative play with your child. The next session will begin in September 2009. For more information or to register, please call JoAnne Fall at 874.4500, ext. 212. This free training is made possible through a grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, the Fatta Foundation and the Children's Foundation.

People Inc.'s Museum of disABILITY History Holds Ceremony to Mark the Restoration of the Niagara County Almshouse Cemetery

Recitation of Names Laid to Rest, Volunteer Recognition and Unveiling of Merritt-Spencer Monument Included The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., and Niagara County officials held a ceremony June 5, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Niagara County Almshouse Cemetery, 5526 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport, to mark the restoration of the neglected cemetery and honor the lives of the more than 1,400 Niagara County Almshouse residents who died and were buried there, most with unmarked graves, between 1830-1916.   Staff from People Inc. and the Museum, along with volunteers, have been working for two years to clear 96 years of overgrown brush and beautify the space. Today, the ceremony included the unveiling of a special memorial plaque and refurbished Merritt monument, the only inscribed gravestone at the location. Approximately 40 names of individuals laid to rest in the cemetery were read during the program. William Ross, chairman, Niagara County Legislature, presented a proclamation for the cemetery restoration event.   Seven years ago, People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History aligned with the nationwide Operation Dignity movement to restore institutional cemeteries. This is the fourth cemetery staff and volunteers have helped to restore. Other projects included Jolls Cemetery in Perrysburg, Gowanda Psychiatric Center Memorial Cemetery and Wheater Road Cemetery in Collins. The fifth cemetery restoration is underway at Craig Colony Crematory in Sonyea. In total, approximately 5,000 graves have been touched by the work.   As news of the restoration projects has spread, area families have come forth to identify their ancestors. Through this effort, people like Chris McDonough, a Texas resident with ties to Western New York, have been able to take heartfelt glimpses into their family histories.   “You have given us our grandfather,” said McDonough in an email to Dave Mack-Hardiman, a People Inc. associate vice president who has spearheaded the project. “We never met him as the family kept his life a secret to all of us children. Thank you so much for giving us a small part of his life. Growing up we were told he had passed away in the 40s. Modern technology and your help has changed that narrative.”   “It has been a unique opportunity to help family members identify their ancestors through the restoration project,” said Mack-Hardiman. “Though our efforts, we have helped at least 50 people learn more about their family members.”   It is estimated that more than one million Americans are buried in institutional cemeteries. Many of these lonely resting places have fallen into disrepair or neglect. Row upon row of numbered gravestones or cast iron markers are the eternal symbols of institutional depersonalization. Some families have searched for decades for names or any shred of information about their ancestors who are buried under weeds and tangled vines. As such, New York State agencies like People Inc., who serve people with developmental disabilities, have been involved in renovating these final resting places and have pushed for support for S.2514, legislation that would amend the Mental Hygiene law in order to permit Department of Mental Hygiene agencies to make available the names, dates of birth and dates of death of patients buried in state mental health hospital cemeteries in order to permit headstones and other memorializations. The bill is currently in the State Senate and the hope is it will be approved in the Senate and Assembly in the 2014-2015 session.   Those who have been instrumental to the Niagara County Almshouse Cemetery restoration work include New York State Senator George Maziarz, Chairman William Ross and the Niagara County Legislature, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara County Division of Buildings and Grounds, Niagara County Historian’s Office, Niagara County Clerk’s Office and Buffalo State College. Orleans Monuments and Calamar Construction also contributed.   The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.   People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. People Inc. currently employs 3,500 and assists individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity since 1971.  

People Inc.'s Museum of disABILITY History Store Now Open

Selected Items Discounted for Holiday Season Amherst, N.Y., December 3, 2010: People Inc. is pleased to present the newest edition to the Museum of disABILITY History, the Museum Store. The new Museum Store is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Museum of disABILITY History, at 3826 Main Street in Amherst (near the University at Buffalo South Campus). While it is very quaint, the Museum Store offers merchandise made by individuals of the Day Habilitation programs of People Inc. Individuals have created unique items such as 100 percent silk scarves, cement garden turtles, dried hydrangea wreaths, stained glass butterflies, hand painted wine glasses and pillows. Each item is lovingly hand made and no two items are the same. Other items for sale include: canvas totes, t-shirts and paperweights with the Museum logo, copper and leather "Jewelry in Braille," and plant-able "bloomin" greeting cards with flower seeds embedded in the paper. Several different books are for sale, including children's books as well as autographed copies of GIMP , by Mark Zupan and Tim Swanson, and Dr. Skinner's Remarkable School by James M. Boles, Ph.D. and Michael Boston, Ph.D. For the holiday season, the Museum Store is offering two items with the Museum of disABILITY History logo at a 25% discount until December 31, 2010. The first item is a natural kraft spiral bound notebook with a pen included (regular price $7.95). The second item is a scented candle in a frosted glass jar with the Museum of disABILITY History logo in silver (regular price $14.95). The candle is offered in four different scents including balsam-fir, french vanilla, lavender and jasmine. Community members are encouraged to visit the Museum of disABILITY History to see the latest exhibits and stop by the Museum Store to find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts. All profits benefit the Museum of disABILITY History and the Museum's Educational Outreach programs. The Museum of disABILITY History is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs, and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society's reactions. For more information, visit www.museumofdisability.org or call 629.3626.

People Inc.'s newest Day Habilitation in South Buffalo

Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate opening What: People Inc.'s Indian Church Day Habilitation program celebrates opening with ribbon cutting and tours When: Monday, August 17, 2009; 12:30 p.m. Where: 24 Indian Church Road near Seneca Street, (Location is set back behind storefronts on Seneca Street. Please enter from Indian Church Road.) Who: People Inc.'s President and CEO James M. Boles, Congressman Brian Higgins, Assemblymember Mark J.F. Schroeder, County Legislator Tim Kennedy for a tour of the newly renovated Indian Church Day Hab. These and other business leaders, city stakeholders, and the community will be on hand to celebrate this opening. Come and see the latest development to take place on Seneca Street, as part of the revitalization and continued great community collaboration of People Inc. with South Buffalo's community leaders. Why: People Inc. has developed its newest day program, Indian Church located in South Buffalo, based on community integration, increased independence, individualization, and productivity. Participants learn new skills and gain confidence to pursue personal goals and reach their highest level of independence in the community.