Community Services
Below is a list of services and community resources available to support and enhance the quality of life for you and your child through out every stage of development.
Down Syndrome
Parents Group of Western New York
DSPG of WNY, Inc.
547 Englewood Avenue
Kenmore, New York 14223
716-832-9334
email: [email protected]
The Down Syndrome Parents Group of Western New York (DSPG) is a
non-profit organization consisting of parents and families of children with Down syndrome.
DSPG seeks to enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. The organization's informational and social events provide a broad range of opportunities for families to support and encourage each other.
Parent Support Program
The Parent Support Program connects new parents with volunteers who can share their experiences and provide support. A phone call, hospital or home visit is available upon request from Heidi at
716-566-2720.
Family & Friends
Down Syndrome Association of Niagara
4661 Lower River Road
Lewiston NY 14092
(716) 870-4904
website: http://www.dsaniagara.org/
The DSA of Niagara County is committed:
- To offer support and guidance to parents, families, individuals with Down syndrome, and associate organizations.
- To promote awareness and understanding about the gifts, talents, and positive contributions that individuals with Down Syndrome make to their communities;
- To assist in the development of programs and activities that enhance the quality of ones life and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome in all aspects of community life including education, employment, leisure and recreation, quality health care, transportation, and independent living opportunities;
- To support nationwide research efforts to find cures and improve medical intervention that will enhance the lives of millions of people living with congenital health problems directly related to Down syndrome.
- To provide a fun end of summer event bringing families together to celebrate and form lasting friendships.
Parent to Parent of New York State
contact: Janice Fitzgerald, Executive Director
PO Box 1296
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
(518) 359-3006
1-866-727-6970
Fax: (518) 359-2151
email to [email protected]
Parent to Parent of NYS is a place where families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who serve them can meet and share information. It's a website maintained as a resource for families. We've walked the walk and are here to help other families:
- Support – We offer parents/caregivers the opportunity to connect one-to-one with a parent/caregiver of an individual with the same or similar disability or special health care need – someone who has “been there.”
- Information & Referral – We help families locate the information and services they need
- Trainings – Workshop sessions are available on Understanding Medicaid Service Coordination, Record Keeping and Using a Health Care Notebook, and various other topics.
Summit Central
150 Stahl Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
716.629.3400
Fax: 716.629.3499
website: www.summited.org
email: Email us: [email protected]
Summit is a private, not-for-profit organization located in Western New York in the suburb of Amherst, NY, just outside of Buffalo. Summit is approved by the New York State Education Department, New York State Department of Health and New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to provide educational and therapeutic services to children with learning, communication and behavioral challenges.
In 1973, Nancy Harris, founder of Summit, was interested in expanding the speech and language skills of her son who was born with a severe hearing loss. She believed strongly that children with communication disorders could best develop meaningful speech and language during their everyday experiences, and developed a program for four children in the kitchen of her Williamsville home.
Summit developed a bilingual education program in 1988, and in 1990 expanded to include infants and toddlers and their families through the Department of Health's Early Intervention Program. Nancy Harris retired in 1995 and, following a nationwide search, was succeeded by Dr. Stephen R. Anderson who brought a wealth of experience in evidence-based treatment.
From its humble beginnings in 1973, Summit has grown to a staff of nearly 500 full time, part-time and contractual employees dedicated to serving more than 1700 Western New York children each year with developmental disabilities.
Eligibility
Western New York children, adolescents and young adults from birth through 21 years old who present delays or disorders in one or more areas of development (e.g., speech, language, learning or academic, motor, hearing, self-help and social) are eligible for services. Children with specific diagnostic conditions such as autism, speech impairment, mental retardation, hearing impairment, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy often are eligible for services.
Costs
Nearly all programs are provided at no direct cost to parents. Funding is provided in part by New York State through the Department of Education, Department of Health's Early Intervention Program, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, as well as Counties of Western New York including Erie and Niagara.
In 1973, Nancy Harris, founder of Summit, was interested in expanding the speech and language skills of her son who was born with a severe hearing loss. She believed strongly that children with communication disorders could best develop meaningful speech and language during their everyday experiences, and developed a program for four children in the kitchen of her Williamsville home.
Summit developed a bilingual education program in 1988, and in 1990 expanded to include infants and toddlers and their families through the Department of Health's Early Intervention Program. Nancy Harris retired in 1995 and, following a nationwide search, was succeeded by Dr. Stephen R. Anderson who brought a wealth of experience in evidence-based treatment.
From its humble beginnings in 1973, Summit has grown to a staff of nearly 500 full time, part-time and contractual employees dedicated to serving more than 1700 Western New York children each year with developmental disabilities.
Eligibility
Western New York children, adolescents and young adults from birth through 21 years old who present delays or disorders in one or more areas of development (e.g., speech, language, learning or academic, motor, hearing, self-help and social) are eligible for services. Children with specific diagnostic conditions such as autism, speech impairment, mental retardation, hearing impairment, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy often are eligible for services.
Costs
Nearly all programs are provided at no direct cost to parents. Funding is provided in part by New York State through the Department of Education, Department of Health's Early Intervention Program, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, as well as Counties of Western New York including Erie and Niagara.
Heritage Centers
101 Oak Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
716 856-4201
Fax: 716 856-3312
Email: [email protected]
http://www.heritagecenters.org
HAVING A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN RAISE MANY QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS At the Heritage Education Program (HEP), we are dedicated to helping you have your questions answered. Our staff is here to support your family’s needs and to help guide you through your child’s stages of development, whether he/she is enrolled in our Early Intervention, Preschool or School Age program. We can assist you in the exploration of all the service options within our community that will help your child to achieve his/her greatest potential. We offer services throughout the Western New York community for children age two to 21, whose needs meet the eligibility requirements through their county and/or school district. Some services may be delivered in a community childcare center. Heritage Centers also provides programs at various center locations that are staffed by professionals who are duly licensed or certified by the State of New York. *Services provided by HEP are paid for by County and/or NYS Department of Education and/or NYS Department of Health funds.
Costs: There are no direct cost to you.
Early Intervention Upon referral from your county of residence, the Heritage Education Program (HEP) can serve toddlers who may require specialized service(s). Building upon your child’s strengths, HEP can offer developmental groups for toddlers with a wide range of services that may include:
Costs: There are no direct cost to you.
Early Intervention Upon referral from your county of residence, the Heritage Education Program (HEP) can serve toddlers who may require specialized service(s). Building upon your child’s strengths, HEP can offer developmental groups for toddlers with a wide range of services that may include:
- Special Education
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Service Coordination
- Assistive Technology
- Feeding and Swallowing Evaluations, Program Development and Monitoring
- School Nursing
People Inc.
2128 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 874-5600
www.peopleinc.org
People Inc. believes that early intervention is a key to independence and empowerment. That’s why beginning at birth and continuing through age 21, People Inc. provides services to children with developmental disabilities with a goal to enhance their growth and development, as well as provide support and assistance to families.
People Inc. offers Early Intervention Services for children who are developmentally delayed up to three years of age and their families through the Erie County Department of Children s Services. Diagnostic evaluations to determine a child's eligibility for services are conducted. Assistance includes service coordination, physical, occupational, speech, language and behavioral therapy, nursing care, nutrition, hearing evaluations, parenting skills training, and counseling. Services may be provided at your home, a community-based setting, or at People Inc. Elmwood Health Center. For children up to three years of age. Child must meet NYS Early Intervention Program Guidelines.
Admissions: (716) 880-3700
Fees: No charge to family.