Program areas at WNYIL
Self-directed home care: Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (wnyil) operated statewide self-directed home and community-based service programs, including the consumer directed personal assistance program (cdpas), veterans directed care (vdc), and expanded in-home services for the elderly program (eisep). These programs enabled older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to remain safely in their homes and avoid costly institutional care by receiving supports in the least restrictive setting possible. Through self-direction, participants exercised choice and control over their services, including the ability to recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and dismiss their own care staff.
Independent Living: wnyil provided core Independent Living services, including peer counseling, Independent Living skills training, transition services from institutional settings to community-based Living, youth to adult transition services, individual and systems advocacy, and information and referral services. Wnyil also provided employment supports, benefits advisement, and application assistance to help individuals access needed resources and opportunities.
Behavioral health: wnyil provided a continuum of behavioral health services designed to support individuals with mental health and substance use challenges in achieving recovery, stability, and community integration. Services included peer support, advocacy, benefits advisement, health home care coordination, Independent consumer advocacy network (ican) ombudsman services, employment supports, information and referral, and transition services assisting individuals in moving from institutional care to community-based Living. Wnyil also operated peer-run recovery and wellness programs, including the renewal center, which provided crisis diversion and support services to help individuals avoid unnecessary hospitalization and maintain community stability. Through these efforts, wnyil promoted recovery, self-determination, and improved quality of life for individuals across Western New York.
Other exempt purpose achievements - erie county dept. Of social services contract enhancement program (occupational training services for temporary assistance recipients enrolled in treatment programs), office of people with developmental disabilities (fully accessible transportation, private and public, for families with individual with developmental disability Living with them), nys dept. Of health - money follows the person (assist pwd transition from institution to community), nys doh aged blind and disabled contract to obtain medicaid/medicare health coverage, emergency shelter and housing assistance agreements, and various other agreements.