Introduction of People Inc.

A small group of parents and professionals joined forces in the early 1970's to form Services to the Mentally Retarded in Erie County (SMERC) to provide social work services, job placement and residential services. Today, the organization is known as People Inc. and provides a variety of services to more than 10,000 children, young adults and seniors. People Inc. is Western New York’s leading non-profit organization services agency. Since 1971 People Inc. has been providing services to seniors, families and people with disabilities helping them live healthier, independent and productive lives. The growth of the organization continues to rise with funding from Medicare and Medicaid.

Breakdown of Organization History

. 1970 Agency formed by a small group of parents and professionals . 1971 First group home opens . 1985 Respite services provided for families . 1989 Established Licensed and Certified Home Health Care . 1993 First affordable senior housing complex opens . 1994 Elmwood Health Center opens . 1998 People Inc. Foundation formed Kids on the Block of WNY community outreach program begins The Museum of disABILITY History is founded . 2004 Western New York Coalition Pooled Trust established . 2006 Opened New York State’s first group home for individuals requiring respiratory assistance . 2007 Established New York State resolution identifying New York State Disability History Week . 2009 Received COMPASS certification in which People Inc. was recognized by New York State as top 1% of disability service agencies . 2011 The Elmwood Health Center introduced electronic medical records and HEALTHeLINK . 2012 People Inc. operates more than 30 unique Day Programs, over 100 residential sites, offers a variety of services for children and young adults, health services, and 17 senior living apartment sites.

Job Titles

Having assisted nearly 10,000 Western New York Residents with services they would never be able to have on their own. Some services that People Inc. includes are: - Disability Services - Residential Services - Day Programs - Vocational Services - Supported Employment Program - Family Support Services - Respite Services - Children and Young Adult Services - Health Services - Elmwood Health Center - Home Health Care - Senior Services - Senior Living: Affordable Housing for Independent Seniors - Seniors Unlimited Adult Day Care - Information and Referral Services - Community Outreach - Transportation Services

Mission

The mission of People Inc. is to help individuals with special needs be more accepted throughout society. Different career opportunities within People Inc. include group home services, self-determination employee, which includes one-on-one assistance to an at home resident, office employee, ECT. People Inc. employees nearly 1,000 employees currently and is still in the hiring process for numerous positions. Having such a wide-range of job opportunities and career options may people enjoy their employment within the non-profit organization. Many employees find a great deal of satisfaction knowing that at work they are constantly giving back to the community.

Breakdown of Career opportunities within People Inc.: • Administrative • Behavior Services • Day Services (YALT/ work skills • Early intervention • Elmwood Health Care Center • Facilities • Home Health • Group Homes • Nursing • Personal Enrichment Program/ Res Hab Services

Facts of People Inc. Care facilities

. People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center had over 36,000 visits in 2010 with more than 5,000 active patients, receiving primary and specialty care. . 1,057 individuals participate at People Inc.’s 22 different Day Habilitation locations, receiving training on skills to become more independent. . 1,081 individuals are assisted through People Inc.’s Family Support Programs. . 709 people live in People Inc.’s 102 group homes, from Chautauqua to Niagara counties and every neighborhood in between! . 4,003 individuals are helped through Service Coordination – case management and linking to services, as a person’s needs change over their lifetime. . 1,736 people are part of People Inc.'s Respite Programs. . 755 independent seniors with low-income live in safe, affordable apartments through People Inc. Senior Living. . 86 young adults are part of the Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) program: Nine at Buffalo State College, 20 at NCCC, 16 at Daemen, 14 at Erie Community College (South Campus), and 12 at the University at Buffalo (South Campus). . Approximately 30 percent of services are for children.

Employee Benefits

Employees are People Inc. are rewarded with positive benefits. Some of the benefits that People Inc. offer employees are: • Health Care • Dental Care • Vision Care • Paid Time-off • 401(k) plan • Tuition Reimbursement • Long Term Disability • Supplemental life and Disability Insurance • Identity Fraud insurance • Holiday Incentives • People Inc. Employee Advantages

Volunteer/Internship Information

Outside the direct employment of People Inc. employees they also provide volunteer opportunities. Volunteers at People Inc. change the lives of people they offer free services to but also gain a lot of positives throughout their own lives. With the growth of People Inc. they are always looking for people to volunteer at their residential sites and also during their day programs.

Employees and Volunteers 2,500 part-and full-time employees with 300 community volunteers. Another way to be involved with this organization but not being an employee is gaining experiences through an internship. They offer limited number unpaid internships throughout the organizations. Breakdowns of the internships opportunities are:

• Human Services/ Direct Care internship Details on this internship are that it is an unpaid internship. Offered to students with at least 30 college credits. Students are placed in residential or day programs. 150 hours are required. Offered to 50 students per semester. Also, college credit available.

• Behavior Management/ Service Coordination internship program Details on this internship are that it is unpaid and only offered to students with graduate studies in Social work or Mental health counseling programs. Requires 300-600 hours depending on the program. Limited numbers of students are accepted. Generally a two-semester internship.

• Administrative Internship Program Details on this internship are that it is unpaid. It is opened to students currently enrolled in business administration or related field. College credit contingent upon college requirements. Departments may include: Administrative services, business office, corporate compliance and risk management, facilities management, foundation, human resources, information technology, museum of disability history, public affairs, quality assurance, retention, training. You must have at least 30 college credits and it requires 150 hours over the course of on semester. There is a limited number for this internship with 50 per semester.

"People Inc." People Inc. People Inc, n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. http://www.people-inc.org