People Inc. Willow Senior Living in Wheatfield Hosts Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale on July 27

Applications Accepted for Affordable Senior Apartments in Wheatfield/North Tonawanda Border If your parent is looking for affordable housing or if you are a senior looking to downsize, consider People Inc. Willow Senior Living. To showcase its apartment building, an Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale will be held on Friday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 3990 Forest Parkway in Wheatfield (between Shawnee and Townline Road, off Niagara Falls Boulevard).  People Inc. Willow Senior Living provides tenants the chance to live affordably and to remove the burden of household maintenance. Apartments are for seniors, age 62 and up, who meet federally mandated income guidelines. Applications are being accepted and tours will be available during the Open House. A multi-family yard sale will be held in conjunction with the event. Household goods, furniture, books, clothing and more will be available for sale.  Located on the border of North Tonawanda, the independent senior living complex is located near restaurants and stores near Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and Tonawanda. For more information, call 716.694.1486. People Inc. manages 20 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., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,500 people with 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. Willow Senior Living in Wheatfield Hosts Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale on June 5

Applications Accepted for Affordable Senior Apartments in Wheatfield/North Tonawanda Border If your parent is looking for affordable housing or if you are a senior looking to move, consider People Inc. Willow Senior Living. To showcase its apartment building, an Open House and Multi-family Yard Sale will be held on Friday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 3990 Forest Parkway in Wheatfield. Whether thinking of downsizing or removing the burden of household maintenance, People Inc. Willow Senior Living provides seniors the chance to live affordably. Apartments are for seniors, age 62 and up, who meet federally mandated income guidelines. Applications are being accepted and tours will be available during the Open House. A multi-family yard sale will be held in conjunction with the Open House event. Household goods, furniture, books, clothing and more will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the tenant fund to support activities. Located on the border of North Tonawanda, the affordable senior living complex is conveniently located to restaurants and stores near Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and Tonawanda. For more information, call 716-694-1486. People Inc. manages 19 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. 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. 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. 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.

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.