Western Region Resources

Access to Psychiatry through Intermediate Care program (APIC)

In-home psychiatric care, psychiatric interventions, case management, prevent hospitalization for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum.

Address:

462 Grider St., ECMC-Room 1182
Buffalo, NY 

Phone: (716) 856-4201

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Autism Society of WNY

A resource for information on support groups, events and recreation information for families with members who have Autism.   

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Caring Harts Transport

Curb-to-curb and door-to-door service for wheelchair transport to medical appointments.

Address: 

599 Holland Rd.
Arcade, NY 14009

Phone: 716-457-3051

Email: info@caringhartswny.com

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Client Advocacy Service

Provides legal representation to mental health clients for Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income, public Assistance, Medicaid & Food Stamps.

Phone: 716-886-1242

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Compeer

Recruits, screens, trains, and matches adult volunteers and mentors for one-on-one friendships with children and adults receiving mental health services.

Address: 

24 Ludington St.
Buffalo, NY 14206

Phone: 716-883-3331

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Cradle Beach

Cradle Beach is a not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to serving children in the Buffalo and Western New York area since 1888. Cradle Beach’s mission is to provide hope, opportunities, and life changing experiences for children with special needs and children who are economically disadvantaged to help them reach their full potential.

Address: 

8038 Old Lakeshore Rd.
Angola, NY 14006

Phone: 716-549-6307

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Crisis Services, Inc.

Staffed with professionals who are trained to assist callers that are in a crisis situation.

24-Hour Hotline Phone:  716-834-3131

Kids Helpline Phone: 716-834-1144

Addiction Hotline Phone:  716-831-7007

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eiFamilies Website; Part of the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project at the Just Kids

The Bureau of Early Intervention and the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project announces a redesigned and updated website for the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project, known as Partners. This website, a part of New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention sponsored contract with Just Kids Early Childhood Learning Center.

The website redesign includes:

• New and updated information, resources and supports on a variety of Early Intervention related topics for families
• A drop box feature which allows a user to view content translated instantly into one of 104 different languages
• Information on Early Intervention Partners Training for parents
• Helpful links to State and National programs and organizations
• Early Intervention Program Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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Fantastic Friends of Western New York

Fantastic Friends of Western New York strives to create meaningful friendships among special needs are neuro-typical tweens and teens through fun monthly social events. Every month Fantastic Friends hosts a fun social event for members with special needs and volunteers. Members are always paired with a 1:1 volunteer at each event, who helps them interact with other Fantastic Friends and participate in the event's activities.

Fantastic Friends welcomes volunteers. Chapters are led by and events are planned by neuro-typical ppers for our special needs members. For more information contact Debbie Cordone, founder of Fantastic Friends of Western New York, call 716-863-7393 or email fantasticfriendswny@gmail.com. For additional information see the brochure linked below. 

Download PDF

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Graceful & Gifted Dance Program

Offers day and evening programs for individuals with special needs, ages 3-adult, with developmental disabilities. Programs are beneficial to those with autism, learning disabilities, and mental retardation, as well as those who are deaf & hearing impaired, blind & visually impaired, and physically handicapped.

Address: 

2419 Hyde Park Blvd.
Niagara Falls, New York 14305

Phone: 716-946-7909

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High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program of Suburban Adult Services, Inc. (SASi)

Offer a therapeutic riding program for emotionally and physically challenged individuals.

Address:

960 West Maple Court
Elma, NY 14059   

Phone: 716-805-1555

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Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. (HOME)

Help to ensure that the people of Western New York have an equal opportunity to live in the housing and communities of their choice-through education, advocacy, enforcement of fair housing laws, and the creation of housing opportunities. They provide an online form on their website to report discrimination.

Address:

1542 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14209   

Phone: 716-854-1400

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Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center

Provide horsemanship and horseback riding opportunities for individuals of all ages with cognitive, physical, emotional and learning disabilities.

Address: 

15 Reiter Rd.
East Aurora, NY 14052   

Phone: 716-655-1335

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Miracle League of WNY

Provide an opportunity for anyone with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball.

Mailing Address: 

P.O. Box 833
Grand Island, NY 14072 

Phone: 716-773-9600

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New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs

Provides assistance to callers who have questions or concerns regarding disability issues and connects individuals to appropriate services.

Information 1-800-624-4143; to report abuse and neglect 1-855-373-2122

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NY START

Offers crisis prevention and response for individuals with developmental disabilities and complex mental/behavioral health needs. Also offers related clinically-based consultation and training to organizations throughout the community.

Phone: 844-567-8278

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Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is responsible for coordinating services for more than 126,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and other disabilities. It provides services directly and through a network of approximately 700 nonprofit service providing agencies, with about 80 percent of services provided by the private nonprofits and 20 percent provided by state-run services.

Address: 

OPWDD
1200 East and West Rd. 
West Seneca, NY 14224

Phone: 716-764-6300

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Parent Network of WNY

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Parent Network of WNY Workshops

Parents helping parents and professionals enable individuals with disabilities to reach their own potential. 

Parent Network offers workshops, trainings and events for parents of children with disabilities and for the professionals who work with them.

Please follow the link to learn about the available workshops and to register for these workshops. The list is updated monthly and includes workshops on bullying, how to work with professionals, working with schools, transition from school to adult life, and many other topics. There is also a selection of Autism related workshops.

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People and Places

Vacations for adults with developmental disabilities.

Address: 

76 Riley St.
East Aurora, NY 14052   

Phone: 716-937-1813

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Pride Center of Western New York Special Needs Equality Group (SNEG)

Created to work with the community to make WNY a safe, healthy and satisfying place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identified people who have physical disabilities.

Address: 

206 So. Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY

Phone: 716-852-7743, ext. 3418

Email: Siobhan Fitzgerald-Cushing - sfitzgerald@pridecenterwny.org

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Respite services

Community Services for the Developmentally disabled offers respite services to families of individuals who are 21 years of older and live with family or family-like persons and have higher needs. In order to be eligible the individual does not need to be eligible for waiver services. For adidtional information see the brochure listed below.

Download PDF

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Robert Warner M.D. Center for Children with Special Needs

Provides comprehensive rehabilitation services consisting of diagnostic, evaluative and therapeutic services to children in Western New York.

Address: 

Oshiei Children's Outpatient Center,
1001 Main St.-3rd floor
Buffalo, NY 14203

Phone: 716-323-6410

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Sensational Fun Inc.

Sensational Fun Inc is a nonprofit organization serving the WNY area. We were founded on the mission to "Empower children with diverse abilities through diverse play." Our center offers a recreational play environment for children with special needs and their families. Come and play in our therapeutic play center where your child can be safe and understood.

Address: 

2881 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14217

Phone: 716-674-7001

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The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

Special services for the disabled include Paratransit Access Line (PAL) and the Reduced-Fare Card Program.

Address: 

181 Ellicott St.
Buffalo, NY 14203

Phone: 716-855-7211

TDD: 800-662-1220

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TIES (Together Including Every Student)

TIES (Together Including Every Student) was developed in 1997 and promotes the participation of students and young adults who have developmental disabilities in inclusive, organized extracurricular and community activities through the support of trained student volunteers. TIES is funded through Starbridge and individual school districts. Coordinators recruit and train volunteer high school students to be helpers to kids and young adults with developmental disabilities aged 8 to 21, so that they can participate in extra-curricular or community activity.

Volunteers get community service credit in their high schools for the time spent volunteering with TIES, while participants benefit from the opportunity to engage with typical peers while participating in an activity or an event that they are interested.

   

TIES is looking for new school districts to participate in the TIES program. If a school district isn't listed on this website, contact Kathy Costello, TIES Program Director at 585-546-1700 or 800-650-4967 or email kcostello@starbridge.org. 

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We Rock the Spectrum

Indoor sensory based play equipment for all children, all abilities. Our Gym Includes: Suspended equipment with swings; crash mats and crash pillows; zip line; trampoline; indoor play structure; sensory-based toys; fine motor and arts and crafts area.

Address:

6950 Erie Rd.
Derby, NY 14006

Phone: 716-562-7274

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