Business Leaders to Serve on the People First Mobility Board of Directors

August 4, 2016: People First Mobility (PFM) has appointed area business leaders to their board of directors. PFM is a Buffalo-based durable medical equipment supplier which operates as an affiliate of People Inc., serving individuals, families, caregivers and members of the education and medical communities. PFM provides complex rehabilitation mobility, seating technology and home medical equipment so that individuals with disabilities can reach their functional potential in their homes and beyond. The new board members are: Mary Ann Kedron, MBA, PhD, is a health care academic and clinical research consultant and a former assistant professor at the University at Buffalo. She previously held positions with Kaleida Health, UB Foundation and a number of area health care facilities. She currently serves on the board of a number of community organizations including: People Inc., BRRAlliance Inc., PUCCS and the Buffalo Niagara Land Trust.  A resident of Buffalo, she earned a MBA in health systems management and her PhD in epidemiology and community health from the University at Buffalo. Donald White, upon his retirement, launched White and Family Holdings LP, a family-owned-and-operated investment firm that includes equities, bonds and real estate. Previously, he was CEO of Associated Healthcare Systems Inc., where he grew the company from a home-office operation to one that featured 22 locations across New York state. He was among the founders of the National Association of Medical Equipment Providers and American Association for Homecare. A resident of Amherst, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Karin Ziegler is president and CEO of Presbyterian Senior Care of Western New York. She oversees general operations of Presbyterian Senior Care facilities, as well as its practices designed to optimize quality of life for recipients. She previously held positions in various roles at Erie County Medical Center. She is currently a board member of Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. A resident of Buffalo, she earned a master’s degree in business administration from Medaille College. PFM, located at 2128 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, can be contacted at 716-566-5000. Brian Clayback, PFM’s general manager, may be reached for additional information. He has more than 25 years in the durable medical equipment field. He serves on the board of the New York Medical Equipment Providers. A resident of West Seneca, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and serves on the board of the New York Medical Equipment Providers (NYMEP). 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 in achieving 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.

CANCELED: People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair

People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair has been cancelled! The Fair has been rescheduled for February 12th, 2010. Date: February 12, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: People Inc. Sheridan Office 3131 Sheridan Drive (Northtown Business Center) Amherst, NY 14226 Click here for a map! 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! For more information, call Linda Rinaldo at 817.7481 or Jim Scutt at 694.6624 ext. 263. Click here for the flyer!

Capturing Grace to be Shown at Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series

Documentary Features Parkinson’s Patients Learning to Dance The Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series will feature Capturing Grace on Saturday, March 12, with two showings at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo.  The film is about dancers with Parkinson’s disease joining forces with a famed modern dance company to stage a unique performance. The 60-minute film is about what happens when those realms intersect. A reception will take place between showings at 5 p.m. with two speakers who teach dance: Cynthia Pegado, teaching artist and artistic director, PDdance, in partnership with National Parkinson Foundation WNY, will share experiences from the production of Capturing Grace. Pegado has brought the unique dance program from the film to Buffalo, inspiring people with Parkinson’s to rediscover the joy of movement with artistry and grace.  Robin Bishop, LMSW, Danceability co-founder, executive director and instructor, will share the importance of dance and movement for all ages, even for older adults. A short dance recital video will feature a performance by Danceability.   The film, directed by David Iverson, is a collaborative effort with the New York based Mark Morris Dance Company’s Dance for PD program. “While Capturing Grace is a story about people with Parkinson’s, it’s also about much more than that. It’s about how you face the challenges life can throw your way in any number of circumstances,” said Dave Iverson, director of Capturing Grace. “For me, the film is about both the power of community and the power of the human spirit,” added Iverson who was diagnosed with Parkinson’ in 2004, and has experienced a slow progression of symptoms. “I hope it’s a story that resonates with audiences of all kinds and I’m so pleased that the Museum of disABILITY History is bringing the film to Buffalo.” The free event is presented by the Museum of disABILITY History and Danceability. For no-cost tickets, call 716-629-3626. Pre-registration required. Donations accepted for the Museum of disABILITY History, Danceability and the National Parkinson Foundation WNY Chapter. Danceability is an individualized dance, fitness and movement program serving the special needs community. The studio is led by qualified staff and dedicated volunteers who create a nurturing environment that empowers students to flourish and grow while promoting a healthy lifestyle. 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.

Care and Learn with People Inc.:  A Tailored Event for Care Coordinators and Healthcare Professionals

Relax, Recharge and Learn Join us on Friday, October 14 from Noon to 3 p.m. at People Inc. Health Services Building, Rehabilitative Services, Suite 101, 800 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY (corner of Hertel and Elmwood Avenues, free parking on-site, enter from Hertel Avenue). Snacks and light refreshments will be provided. Limited to 100 guests: First come, first served. RSVP to Eliza Matson by Tuesday, October 11 at  ematson@people-inc.org or 716.566.5007 . Bring your business cards! All attendees will be eligible to be entered into a raffle! At People Inc., we understand that recharging our physical batteries is essential to help us care and be a resource for others. We’ve put together an open-house style event for you to learn more about the various services offered by People Inc. Learn first-hand from our experts, plus visit some wellness stations along the way to help get a sense of being relaxed and restored. The People Inc. Team is here for you now and all year long. People Inc. resources on-hand will include: •    Adaptive Equipment Clinic •    Admissions and Referral Services •    Environmental Modifications and Adaptive Technologies •    Home Health •    People First Mobility •    Rehabilitative Health Services and Social Work •    Wheelchair Clinic •    Plus, Affordable Apartments and Senior Services Learn More

Care Coordinator Alert: Important Change in Life Plan Process at People Inc.

For all Care Coordinators and Care Managers, effective Monday, June 7, 2021, please send all Life Plans and Life Plan Addendums through the secure People Inc. Life Plan e-mail box, and not to individual Interdisciplinary team (IDT) members. Please send to: LifePlans@people-inc.org Upon People Inc. receiving the Life Plan through the dedicated e-mail box, the Life Plan will then be uploaded and secured into People Inc.’s internal electronic record. The People Inc. IDT member(s) for the person’s OPWDD programs will receive an internal notification that the Life Plan is available for review and acknowledgement/agreement. The IDT member(s) will return the acknowledgement/agreement, and communicate directly with you on any issues with the received Life Plan. The People Inc. Life Plan e-mail box is used to obtain and secure Life Plans, and to make available to People Inc. programs. All previous Service Provider tasks, communications, and the CCO Agreements are unchanged. Please continue to work as a team to support people receiving services, following a person-centered approach. Please also continue to communicate with each other as necessary for sharing day-to-day happenings and significant events.         

Care, Not Cuts! Virtual Rally on March 24

March 23, 2021: A virtual rally for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities will take place on Wednesday, March 24 at noon. New York Disability Advocates and The Arc New York will be hosting this rally to both thank our legislators for including important funding in their one-house budgets and to ensure that we can cross the finish line on Thursday, April 1 with our needed funding in place. Co-sponsors are the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York, Statewide Advocacy Network of New York, New York City Family Advocacy Information Resource, Long Island Advocacy Network for the Developmentally Disabled and Eastern New York Developmental Disabilities Advocates.  We expect the event will last about one hour with appearances by various legislators, family members, DSPs, self-advocates and others. There are two ways to participate: It will be streamed live to The Arc New York Facebook page, so there is no need to register in advance.  We encourage all who are interested to join in this rally by going to facebook.com/thearcny .  If you wish to join the call, you can register in advance through . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining. Please note – there is a 1,000-person capacity on this call, so to ensure that you get in, please join a few minutes early! Another way to let the elected officials in Albany know about your thoughts on "Care, Not Cuts," is to send  these “1 click” letters  to your Legislators and the Governor – volume is key – you can send your letters every 24 hours for maximum impact!

Career Open House!

"I came to People Inc. to change someone's life for the better. I did. My own." Date: Tuesday, October 26th Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Location: People Inc. Headquarters                1219 North Forest Road                Williamsville, N.Y. Come take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what People Inc. has to offer! We are currently looking to hire for direct care staff and we would love to meet you. We will not be holding interviews but we will be accepting resumes. Our recruitment staff as well as representatives from multiple programs will be available to answer any questions. Apply online! www.people-inc.org/careers  

Career Opportunities to Make an Impact Available at People Inc.

Virtual Interviews, Paid Training and Rewarding Experiences Offered July 15, 2021: When someone lives with an intellectual and developmental disability, they may need help with everyday tasks. People Inc., the region’s leading health and human services agency, is seeking staff to provide supports to people primarily in its residential and day programs. Developmental disability service providers across the state are facing a staffing shortage to fill this vital need. Recently, People Inc. created a new job title called Direct Support Professional to reflect the central importance of the contributions made by these staff members daily. Managing staffing needs during the global pandemic provided an occasion to examine this model. This will help increase flexibility and provide opportunities for employees to more easily pick up shifts and work across different programs, while gaining additional work experiences. As an essential employer with a team of nearly 4,000 staff members, People Inc. is hiring compassionate, creative and energetic candidates for positions across the career spectrum, from entry level to management. Celebrating more than 50 years of service, People Inc. has various part and full time, per-diem and summer openings available throughout Western New York. These positions are beneficial for college students to gain hands-on experience, with many remaining with the agency upon graduation. People with experience in retail, restaurants, customer service and education often become an outstanding part of the agency’s team.  Staff truly make a difference. Nicole Shields, team leader in the People Inc. Residential Program, said, “When you are employed by People Inc., you have the opportunity to help wonderful people. While supporting them with their daily livings skills and promoting independence, you also learn so much about yourself.” Shields, like hundreds of employees, have numerous opportunities for professional development. A resident of Depew, Shields, reflected, “My career journey has created a growth mindset where I am always looking for a chance to learn. While working at People Inc., there are so many opportunities for personal growth and development, plus no two days are ever the same. I stay at People Inc. for all the opportunities to continue my education, explore positions in other departments and take advantage of the flexible schedules offered.”  A sign-on bonus of $750 is now offered for some People Inc. designated direct support positions. For designated management positions, a sign-on bonus of up to $1,500 is also available. (Note: The sign-on bonus is subject to change and/or may be discontinued at any time.) A new starting hourly rate of $15 per hour is available for select direct support positions, plus weekend and overnight shift differentials. Additionally, there are immediate opportunities for LPNs, behavioral staff and residential management. Virtual interviews, paid comprehensive training, a variety of flexible and consistent schedules, tuition reimbursement, mentoring and career advancement are offered. Some of the other benefits provided by People Inc. include health insurance, paid time off and discounts, along with rewarding experiences.  To view employment openings, go to people-inc.org/careers or call 716.322.7050 for more information.  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, 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.

Carol Kranowitz Presents The Out of Sync Child: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder

Save the Date! People Inc., Parent Network of WNY and Early Childhood Direction Center will host distinguished national speaker Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A. at the annual "Parents and Professionals Learning Together" Conference on April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lucarelli's Banquet Center, 1830 Abbott Road, Lackawanna, NY. Carol Kranowitz will present The Out of Sync Child: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder . The cost is $85.00 per person (includes lunch). For more information or reservations, call 716.817.7484. Find out more about the conference... The Out of Sync Child: A Night for Parents Wednesday, April 6, 2011 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Lucarelli's Banquet Center 1830 Abbott Road Lackawanna, NY 14218 Click here to learn more about A Night for Parents!