Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

Under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system for senior adults who live in nursing homes, assisted living and other Department of Health licensed adult care homes, offers free problem resolution and advocacy services throughout Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties to ensure quality of life and care. This is a volunteer-based program. The Ombudsman program advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, and other similar adult care facilities. Ombudsman programs work to resolve problems individual residents face and effect change at the local, state, and national levels to improve quality of life and care. Regardless of the type of facility all residents have the right to be protected from abuse and mistreatment and facilities are required to ensure the safety of all residents and investigate reports of mistreatment. For more information: People Inc Long Term Care Ombudsman Program with a link for emailing the program Senior Programs. People Inc. (people-inc.org). Link to NYS Office for Aging Ombudsman Program

https://aging.ny.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman-program .

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

Provides Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) to persons with disabilities in order to gain access to the services and supports necessary to meet their needs. Works to develop, implement, monitor, and maintain individual service plans for their clients. Connects to long-term-care supports and services.

Advocacy/problem resolution program for residents living in Licensed Long Term Care Communities such as Nursing Homes, Assisted Living and Family Type Homes. Lifespan’s Ombudsman program mediates patient care issues in long-term care facilities in Monroe, Ontario, Genesee, Yates, Wyoming, Seneca, Wayne and Livingston counties.

Ombudsmen are trained volunteers who are assigned to long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen listen, mediate, negotiate, propose and facilitate solutions to residents' concerns and problems. They help residents and families learn to advocate for themselves

The Empire Justic Center is a public interest law firm with a focus on poverty law. Empire Justice undertakes research and training, acts as an informational clearinghouse, and provides litigation backup to local legal services programs and community based organizations.

Non for profit agency which is a nationally recognized leader in the delivery of habilitative, health and advocacy services for persons with disabilities., Consumer Directed Personal Services -a self empowering program for individuals with a disability to hire, train and supervise their own personal care attendants. Family Services -Medicaid Service Coordination, NYS Elks Home Service Program, Home Based Service Program -provides training in daily living skills. Community Services Resource Center -Americans with Disabilities (ADA)Accessibility Consultation Services. Job Development Services. Family Health Care Center offers Optometry Services.

Advocacy/support services may be individual advocacy or systems advocacy (or a combination of both. Examples are warm lines, hot lines, teaching daily living skills, providing representative payee services, and training in any aspect of mental health services. Individual advocacy assists consumers in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints and grievances, and accessing services and supports of their choice. Systems advocacy represent the concerns of a class of consumers by identifying patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these problems on a systemic, rather than individual basis.

Provides a formal communication link between Town Government and citizens with disabilities to establish an agenda of issues and problems confronting the disabled and develop solutions. Call for more information. (631)287-5734