WNY
SUPPORT GROUP
DIRECTORY
2013
Parent Network of WNY
1000 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
(716) 332-4175
www.parentnetworkwny.org
WNY SUPPORT GROUP DIRECTORY
2013
The Support Group Directory is a resource for individuals with
disabilities and their families, as well as service providers. This
directory contains a wide variety of groups offering a range of
supports. It can point you in the right direction, but it can’t answer
all your questions. For the groups that interest you, please call the
phone number listed. It is not a directory of “self-help” groups.
Check websites to learn how a specific group could support the
needs of a family or individual. We encourage you to speak with the
group’s contact person to ensure that you are comfortable with the
group’s format and topics.
Every effort has been made to make sure that the information in this
directory is current and accurate. Support group information changes
frequently, however, and users should always verify meeting dates
and times. This directory is updated two times a year.
If you would like to add, update or remove information for any
group, please use the form in the back of this directory and mail to:
Parent Network of WNY
1000 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14202
For the electronic version of this change form, please go to:
www.partentnetworkwny.org/Resources
To order more copies of the directory, please call (716) 332-4175.
For a downloadable version of the directory visit
www.parentnetworkwny.org/Resources
TablE Of CONTENTS
ADoPTIvE/FoSTER CARE ...5
BEhAvIoR ...6
BEREAvEMENT ...7
CAREGIvER ...7
DISABIlITY SPECIFIC
Autism ...12
Cerebral Palsy ...13
Deaf/hard of hearing ...13
Down Syndrome ...14
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder ...14
Food Allergies ...14
Fragile X Syndrome ...15
Prader Willi ...15
Rett Syndrome ...15
Spinal Cord Injury ...15
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ...16
MENTAl hEAlTh ...17
MIlITARY ...18
NEuRoloGICAl IMPAIRMENT
Brain Injury ...18
Tourette Syndrome ...18
SIBlINGS ...19
SPECIAl EDuCATIoN ...19
DIRECToRY ChANGE oF INFoRMATIoN FoRM ...23
adoptive Parents & Kids Support Groups leah Rush North Buffalo Community Center (716) 834-9413 ext. 211 151 lawn Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14207, Erie
Adoptive parents come together & share common stories while supporting one another; while their adoptive children meet with other adoptive children to help promote their social skills.
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
adoptive Parents Support Group Karen Kelley hillside Children’s Center (716) 848-6419 131 orchard Park Road
West Seneca, NY 14224, Erie www.hillside.com
Meet others who share the daily challenges & rewards of parenting adopted children & teens. Pre & post-adoptive parents welcome.
Meetings: last Tuesday, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Erie County foster & adoptive Parents advisory board, Inc. (716) 858-1630 478 Main Street, Room 501 [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14202, Erie
www.ecfapab.weebly.com
Membership is open to all Erie County foster/adoptive parents to discuss issues & concerns & to improve communication. Child care provided with one week notice.
adoption Resource Center Support Group Karen Kelley hillside Children’s Center (716) 848-6419 70 Jewett Parkway [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14214, Erie
www.hillside.com
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday, 11:00 am
adoption Support and Preservation (aSaP) Group Jeff Ribbeck
66 Stevens Street (716) 439-5436
lockport, NY 14064, Niagara
Meetings: 3rd Wednesday, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Child & family Support (716) 886-1242 ext. 318 Church of latter Day Saints
999 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209, Erie www.eriemha.org
offers support for families raising a child with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. Youth support group meets at the same time in a separate room. Meetings: First Friday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
family Support Group Carolyn Vujnovic WNYCPC Community Services Buffalo outpatient Center (716) 677-7079 575 Alberta Drive, Suite 2
Amherst, NY 14226, Erie www.eriemha.org
For families who have children with emotional or behavioral problems. Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
GlOW family Support Program hillside Children’s Center,
29 liberty Street Suite 208 Batavia, NY 14020 or
24 Main Street (585) 256-7500
Mt. Morris, NY 14150 [email protected] 96 West Buffalo Street
Warsaw, NY 14569, Genesee; livingston; Wyoming; orleans www.hillside.com
GLoW offers support, respite, advocacy, information & referral, newsletters, a library, etc. For families of children birth to age 21 with an emotional and/or behavioral challenge. Meetings: 24 hours a day
Town of Tonawanda Concerned Parents Group (716) 879-6650 Town of Tonawanda Police Department
1835 Sheridan Drive Tonawanda, NY 14223, Erie
A group for parents of children with behavioral or family issues. You don’t have to be a resident of the town to participate.
Meetings: 7:00 pm Thursday
Caring arms, Stillbirth and Newborn loss to One Year (716) 568-3777 St. Gregory Ministerial Building (716) 568-6653 1540 Maple Road
Williamsville, NY 14221, Erie
For parents, grandparents and other family members. Meetings: 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Coping with the loss of a Child Donna Possenti Jewish Family Services (716) 883-1914 ext. 311 2640 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY 14068, Erie www.jfsbuffalo.org
life Transitiona Center amy adler
150 Bennett Road (716) 836-6460
Cheektowaga, NY 14227, Erie
hosts many support groups for parents who have lost a child.
Western New York Perinatal bereavement Network, Inc. Christine Scott 30 South Cayuga Road - lower (716) 626-6363 Williamsville, NY 14221, Erie [email protected] www.wnypbn.org
telephone support from a trained parent and links to area support groups for parents who have lost a child due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, still birth, or early infant death.
Women and Children’s Hospital
Williamsville united Methodist Church (716) 878-7773 5681 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221, Erie
www.wchob.org/bereavement
hosts several support groups for adults & children who have lost a loved one.
bornhava Men’s forum Ellen Crawford
25 Chateau Terrace, (716) 839-1655
Amherst, NY 14226, Erie, Niagara [email protected] www.bornhava.org
For fathers & male caregivers of children with developmental delays. Meetings: 7:30 pm one evening per month during the school year.
BErEAvEMEnt
bornhava WOW MOMs ann or Pat
25 Chateau Terrace (716) 839-1655
Amherst, NY 14226, Erie www.bornhava.org
For women who care for children with special needs Meetings: one Thursday per month, 7:00 pm
Cantalician Center for learning Michael Kinz
1360 Eggert Road (716) 835-0417
Amherst, NY 14226,Erie www.cantaliciancenter.org
support groups of Early intervention & Preschool families. Meetings: 8:00 am-2:00 pm year round
DDaWNY (716) 877-7007
(Developmental Disabilities alliance of WNY) family Committee 7 Community Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225, Erie [email protected]
www.ddawny.org or facebook.com/DDAWNY Family Committee
Group meets to educate and inform people about the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and ensure quality homes and services are available.
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
families Child advocacy Network fathers’ Support Group Debbie 135 Delaware Avenue, Suite 210 (716) 884-2599 Buffalo, NY 14202, Erie
www.fcanwny.org
For fathers/male caregivers who are raising a child with special behavioral challenges.
Meetings: 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
families’ Child advocacy Network Support Groups Vicki McCarthy
Family Resource Center (716) 884-2599
135 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202, Erie www.fcanwny.org
For families raising children with social, emotional, or behavioral needs. Meetings: 2nd Monday, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
or
Southtowns Roundtable Support Group Wesleyan Church of hamburg
2999 McKinley Parkway hamburg, NY 14075
family Matters Joanne lana
Ronald McDonald house (716) 878-7272
780 West Ferry Street Buffalo, NY 14222, Erie www.wchob.org
An education & support group for parents of a child living with a chronic or serious medical condition.
Meetings: 1st Thursday, 5:30 pm-8:00 pm
family Partners for Change angela Dubel
WNY DDSo (716) 880-3834
1200 East & West Road [email protected] West Seneca, NY 14224
A group of parents with adult children in group homes & agency representatives come together to discuss issues.
Grand Island Parent & Provider Support Group Vienna Haak 2139 Grand Island Boulevard (716) 430-5118 Grand Island, NY 14072, Erie [email protected] www.facebook.com/grandislandnysupportgroup
A support group for providers, parents, and caregivers of family and friends with developmental disabilities. this group is not exclusive to Grand island families! Bring a friend.
Meetings: 1st Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Kinship Caregivers Program Deborah McIntyre or Pamela lanich
Catholic Charities (716) 856-4494
Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus www.ccwny.org
support for relative caregivers of children who have been separated from biological parents.
Meetings: Call for schedule
Niagara County CafÉ Roxanne albond-buchner (Concerned advocacy and families Empowered) (716) 297-6400, ext. 332 opportunities unlimited of Niagara [email protected] 1555 Fashion outlet Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14304, Niagara http://CAFEofniagaracounty.webs.com
A gathering of parents, family members, friends, and self-advocates dedicated to the support and education of one another, and advocacy for family members with disabilities.
Parent Child Connection Nicole Dayka
Family Support Center (716) 646-9593
4540 Southwestern Boulevard hamburg, NY 14075, Erie www.parentchildconnection.org
the purpose of this group is to provide parenting enrichment opportunities by offering educational programs to the families of hamburg & surrounding communities.
Meetings: Check Website
Parent to Parent Tanja O’brocta
WNY DDSo (716) 517-3448
1200 East & West Road West Seneca, NY 14224, Erie www.parenttoparentnys.org
Connecting parents 1-to-1 with other parents of children of like disabilities. Parents-for-Parents Group Tess Kerzner The Resource Center Administration Building (716) 661-1421 200 Dunham Avenue [email protected] Jamestown, NY 14701, Chautauqua
or
Connections North Center 10825 Bennett Road
Dunkirk, NY 14048, Chautauqua www.resourcecenter.org
A monthly family member/caregiver support group which connects & supports families of individuals with special needs.
Meetings: 1st Wednesday of the month (Jamestown); 2nd Wednesday of the month (Dunkirk) 5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Pioneer area Parent Support Group bev McVay
(716) 492-2126
sponsored by Parent to Parent, this group is for parents of children with any disability.
SMIlE Support Groups in Niagara County lydia Szafranski Wheatfield Community Senior Center (716) 433-4487 2790 Church Road
North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Niagara www.ndyfs.org
to provide support, education & information on topics selected by group members & parent facilitators.
Southtowns allergy Parent Support Group Nicole Dayka Family Support Center Frontier Community learning Center (716) 646-9593 hamburg, NY 14075, Erie
www.parentchildconnection.org
Meetings: Group meets as needed. Call for dates, 6:30 pm
Sweet Home family Support Group (716) 886-1242 ext. 313 Sweet home Family Support Center
1901 Sweet home Road Amherst, NY 14228, Erie www.eriemha.org
For caregivers that have a child with emotional or behavioral challenges. Meetings: last Monday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
aCCEPT Parent facilitated Group Rachel Saeger Brighton Community Church (716) 836-4378 1225 Brighton Road [email protected] Tonawanda NY 14150, Erie
Group of parents of children on the Autism spectrum which provides support, education & resources to families.
Meetings: 3rd Thursday, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
aSa WNY Daytime Chapter Support Coffees Kathy or Karen & Occasional Evening Information Meetings (716) 633-2275 Southtowns & Northtowns locations [email protected] Erie
www.autismwny.org
Meetings: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Call for meetin location
autism Spectrum Disorder & Related Disabilities Parent Group Chris Hoff Southtowns Support Group (716) 648-7356
Erie [email protected]
www.parentchildconnection.org
A support group in hamburg for parents of children with Asperger’s, Pdd-nos, high functioning Autism & nLd
Meetings: last Friday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
autism Support Group Vienna Haak 2139 Grand Island Boulevard (716) 430-5118 Grand Island, NY 14072, Erie, Niagara [email protected] www.facebook.com/GrandIslandNYSupportGroup
open to all families affected by Autism. Meetings: 1st Tuesday, 6:30 pm
autism Support Group for Parents of Children with aSD Jana Mertz EPIC/Parent Network of WNY (716) 878-7600 1000 Main Street [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14202, Erie
Group provides a welcoming environment for parents & other caregivers to meet, share experiences, ask questions & receive support.
Meetings: 2nd Wednesdays, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
disABiLitY sPECiFiC
AutisM
Connections Program Parent Support Group Sandy Cherre for families of Children with Hf aSD (716) 629-3400 ext. 3422 Summit Ed Resources
150 Stahl Road
Getzville, NY 14068, Erie, Niagara
share ideas, information, treatment options & advocacy strategies. Meetings: 1st Monday, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Iroquois area Parent Support Group Tammy Olejniczak
Iroquois high school (716) 652-0277
2111 Girdle Road [email protected] Elma, NY 14059, Erie
open to all parents of special needs children, do not have to be in district. Currently most families have children with Asd.
Meetings: During the school year, Daytime
Olean area Parent Networking Karen O’Dell
Rehabilitation Center (716) 307-9905
410 West Sullivan Street olean, NY 14760, Cattaraugus www.autismwny.org
A network for parents who have agreed to be a resource for other parents of children on the spectrum andwill work one-on-one with families. Meetings: No regular meetings
Connected Parents Support Group Stephanie Collier Corner Bakery Café (meeting room) [email protected] 1551 Niagara Falls Blvd. or facebook.com/ConnectedParents Amherst, NY 14226, Erie
A group for the parents or caregivers of children with cerebral palsy who want to connect with other parents; email stephanie if you would like to attend or to learn about meetings
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf (716) 834-7200
2253 Main Street [email protected]
Buffalo, NY 14214, Erie www.smsdk12.org
Parent support group for families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
CErEBrAL PALsY
Down Syndrome Parent Group (716) 874-4753
547 Englewood Avenue (716) 832-9334
Buffalo, NY 14223, Erie [email protected] www.dspgwny.org
For families of children with down syndrome; provides individual support services as needed.
WNY fetal alcohol Spectrum Disorders Helen Weinstein family Support Group (716) 831-2298 ext. 103 Erie County Council on the Prevention of [email protected] Alcohol & Substance Abuse (ECPASA), 1625 hertel Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14216, Erie www.eccpasa.org
Meet with other families, share experiences, ideas and information. Meetings: 3rd Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Greater buffalo food allergy alliance Kim Pasierb Cleveland hill Fire hall (716) 681-6506 440 Cleveland Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14215, Erie www.gbfoodallergy.org
to share information and give support to people who live with food allergies. Meetings: 3rd Monday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Spoonful of love Support Group (716) 631-7503 350 Greenhaven Terrace
Tonawanda, NY 14150 [email protected]
this adults-only forum is a free parent-run support group designed for parents/caregivers of children with special feeding concerns.
Meetings: Every month on the 3rd Thursday from 7-9pm.
Food ALLErGiEs
doWn sYndroME
FEtAL ALCohoL sYndroME
disordEr
fragile X Resource Group of WNY Janet fisher 8373 Black Walnut Drive (716) 741-7192 East Amherst, NY 14051, Erie [email protected] Meetings: 7:00 pm
Prader Willi Syndrome Support Group Jeannie Dickinson
(716) 773-3076
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) Support Group brian and lori burgin Eastern hills Wesleyan Church (716) 435-0491
8445 Greiner Rd. (716) 774-8387
Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 316-2094 Meetings: Group meets at various times during the year in the Williamsville area.
Rett Syndrome Support Group Jan Myles
(716) 689-0953
Connects families who have a newly diagnosed family member to other families; also will share information about the disorder with other groups.
Spinal Cord Injury Support Group Daryl & Jack Trenchard ECMC outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic (716) 898-3227 462 Grider
Buffalo, NY 14215, Erie www.ecmc.edu
rehabilitation for spinal injuries. Meetings: 3rd Thursday, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
rEtt sYndroME
PrAdEr WiLLi sYndroME
suPPort GrouP
FrAGiLE x sYndroME
WNY Chapter of families of bonnie Shiesley Spinal Muscular atrophy (SMa) (716) 622-0804
P.o. Box 444 [email protected]
North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Niagara
www.wnyfsma.org or www.facebook.com/wnyfsma
to help cope with sMA through information & support. Meetings: 1st or 2nd Tuesday
Coping Through Christ anxiety & (716) 833-0298 Depression “all are Welcome”
St. Joseph university Parish St. Joseph Parish Center library 3269 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214, Erie
For those with a mental health diagnosis, their families, caregiviers, supporters & friends.
Meetings: Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
National alliance for the Mentally Ill (NaMI) Gerrie Cruz St. Paul’s lutheran Church (716) 877-2076
4007 Main Street [email protected]
Amherst, NY 14226, Erie www.namibuffalony.org
Mutual support for families of the mentally ill. Meetings: 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 pm
NaMI Education Support Group Marcy Rose St. Paul’s lutheran Church (716) 688-4125 4007 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226, Erie
Provides education (speakers) for families dealing with mental health issues. Meetings: 2nd Thursday
Operation C.O.M. Mary McParlane 999 Delaware Avenue (716) 886-1242 ext. 313 Buffalo, NY 14209, Erie
www.eriemha.org
A free interactive program to support children of the military & to establish positive coping skills to deal with the stress of deployment, to express feelings & strengthen self-confidence.
Meetings: Every Friday
Headway of Western New York, Inc. (716) 408-3100 2635 Delaware Avenue, Suite E
Buffalo, NY 14216, Erie www.headwayofwny.org
several support groups are available for survivors of brain injury & their families. Meetings: 1st & 3rd Tuesday (peer) 6:30 pm-8:00 pm (peer support and caregivers) 1st Tuesday (caregivers) 6:30 pm-8:00 pm (caregivers support)
WNY Chapter Tourette Syndrome association Sue Conners Greater New York State Chapter (716) 839-4430 20 Thomas Jefferson lane [email protected] Snyder, NY 14226, Erie
www.tsa-gnys.org
Adult rap group & children’s rap group; support for families Meetings: 1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm
MiLitArY
nEuroLoGiCAL iMPAirMEnt
BrAin injurY
Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara County Roxanne www.opportunitiesunlimited.org (716) 297-6400 Group open to siblings and family members who have a family member with developmental disabilities
Sibshops at Canisius College Dr. Susan Putnam
Canisius College (716) 888-2895
2001 Main Street [email protected]
Buffalo, NY 14208, Erie www.canisius.edu/sibshop
these support groups are designed to meet the needs of brothers & sisters of children diagnosed with a serious developmental disorder.
Meetings: Saturdays, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Williamsville SEPTSa Sibling Support Workshops Judy Kemp 17 Chaumont Dr. Workshop Coordinator Williamsville, NY 14221 [email protected] this group is for teens, ages 14-18, with brothers and sisters who have developmental disabilities.
Clarence SEPTSa Karen Conway www.clarenceschools.org (716) 741-3691 or (716) 812-0523 lou ann Nowicki
(716) 741-7065 [email protected]
frontier SEPTa Donna Gonser
www.frontier.wnyric.org (716) 627-9068 ann Marie Pezone
(716) 627-7354
Hamburg Chris Hoff
Special Ed Committee of PTa (716) 648-7356
KenTon SEPTSa Janet Vaughan
www.kentonseptsa.com (716) 310-4580
siBLiinGs
Sweet Home family Support Center anne Nowak, Coordinator Common Sense Parenting
(716) 250-1229
Special Education Parents advisory Committee Rosemary arnone
School #12 Central CSE (716) 816-4747
33 Ash Street [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14204, Erie
www.buffaloschools.org
All meetings are open to parents of children receiving special education services in the Buffalo Public school district.
Starpoint Special Education Group (SSEG) Sara Siracuse, brian farrell 4363 Mapleton Road Driveway C or april breen
Middle School (716) 625-8922
lockport, NY 14094, Niagara or (716) 210-2321
A group for parents of chidlren in special Education. Meetings: 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm october-June
Williamsville SEPTSa Dave Whalen, President www.williamsvilleseptsa.org (716) 565-9338
Judy Kemp
(716) 912-9104
