AGENCIES THAT FOCUS ON AREAS OTHER THAN DRUG/ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Anger Management Program 21 Linwood Avenue, Williamsville, NY 14221. Contact Elizabeth McPartland, Program Coordinator (716) 632-5500.
Primary Service: First Offender Diversion.
Type of Service: Anger Management-Group Counseling
Judicial Stage: Pre & Post disposition.
Description of Service: Group counseling format aimed to educate youth about anger triggers, identify positive coping skills and gain problem solving skills. Currently fee is $150 ($25/group session.) Eligibility restricted to youth between the ages of 14 to 20 who are either residents of Amherst or committed a crime in Amherst.
Length of Participation: 6 week program, meeting once a week for 2 hours.
Waiting List: Varies
Buffalo Public Schools Parents Center,15 East Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 Contact Pilar Jimenez, Supervisor (716) 851-3651.
Primary Service: Education, Case Management and, Workshop/Group.
Judicial Stage: Pre-and Post-disposition serving Family Court and providing continuous service. Restricted to parents and their children from birth to 7 years of age. In house services include education, living, job training, parenting skills, and recreation.
Description of Service: Overall goal of the program is parents and children learning together. Programs include: Take Home Computer Program, P.C. Project Spider (Children ages 0-7), English as a second language, field trips, Buffalo Urban League Partnership, Academic Tutoring, Workshops (art, health, exercise, parenting), Parent/Child Computer Program (all ages), Informational seminars (e.g. School system info, community resources), Infant/Parent program, Adult computer program, literacy, in home and after school program for teens.
Length of Participation: Varies based on need
Waiting List: Open door policy
CASA-Voices for Children Inc., Program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, 282 Babcock Street, Buffalo, NY 14210, Contact Carol Demme, (716) 825-1016, Fax (716) 825-0243, E-mail cdemme@bgcbuffalo.org
Primary Service: Monitoring the order of the court, intensive supervision.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition. Serving Family Court; restricted to children in court-ordered foster care.
Description of Service: Advocacy can last until termination of parental rights, the child is free for adoption, or the court makes a permanent decision on custody, usually up to 18 months. Advocates make a minimum of 1 at home visit/month, 1 contact with all involved parties (Dept Social Services/Child Protection/teachers/doctors/biological parents). Interviews/investigates/parents report to judge. Links family to community resources and facilitates communications among parties. Monitors child in foster care.
Length of Participation: Duration of a case's involvement; until permanency is achieved.
Waiting List: 1 week-2 months
Client Specific Planning Services, 775 Main Street, Suite 415, Buffalo, NY 14203. Contact Selena Garr Program Director (716) 853-0603.
Primary Service: Preparation of defense-based sentencing reports for defendant upon referral from attorneys. Reports include alternatives to incarceration reports for probation eligible defendants, mitigation reports for defendants convicted of mandatory sentences that recommend the minimum allowable sentence authorized by statute, parole reports for parole violators that recommend reinstatement on parole supervision with strict conditions.
Judicial Stage: Pre-plea, pre-sentence. Serving all courts except Family Court. Eligibility target offenses felony, misdemeanor and probation/parole violations. Restricted to individuals facing a sentence/incarceration of at least 90 days. In house services include interview and assessment.
Description of Service: Assists defense counsel in
preparing individualized pre-sentence memoranda for court presentations. May
suggest: assessment/treatment for chemical dependency or mental health
problems, vocational rehabilitation; residential alternatives/community
service and/or supervision and financial restitution. Clients should
demonstrate motivation to rehabilitate.
Attorneys must make a referral to the program for the defendant. They must
provide the program with the following documents: criminal history, SCI or
indictment, arrest reports, defendant and victim statements, probation/parole
violation reports in appropriate cases, psychiatric/psychological and forensic
evaluations, and any other pertinent legal documents.
Assigned attorneys must contact Assigned Counsel
Program for an authorization form that must be signed by the presiding judge
within ten days of the referral to the program. Work will not be started
on an assigned case until authorization form is received.
Fees starting at $400 based on a sliding fee scale are charged to private clients. Payment must be made in full prior to submission of sentencing report to the court. Plans will not be submitted to court until payment is made in full.
Length of Participation: 4-8 weeks, depending on case.
Waiting List: Yes
Court Advocacy in the Youth Service Component, 254 Virginia Street, Buffalo, NY 14201. Contact Emilio Fontaine (716) 856-7110
Primary Service: Defender-based advocacy, first offender diversion.
Primary Service: Case Management.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition, eligibility/target offenses, felony, misdemeanor and probation/parole violations, covering all courts. Service primarily Hispanic youth first time offenders but open to everyone.
List of in-house Services: Individual counseling, employment search, housing assistance, living skills, job skills training. Bilingual staff, Spanish/English.
Description of Service: Provides advocacy to Hispanic, first time, youthful offenders. On-going interaction with defense attorneys, parents, counselors, case managers and other service providers. Will accompany youth to court and make recommendations to the judge for alternative to incarceration sentencing.
Waiting List: None
Evans First Offender Diversion Program, 6722 Erie Road, P.O. Box 28, Derby, NY 14047. Contact Jerry S. Bartone Director (716) 947-5025.
Primary Service: Education, first offender diversion, mental health treatment, pre-trial evaluation. In-house services include individual and family counseling, living and parenting skills.
Judicial Stage: Pre and Post-disposition serving Town Courts. Eligibility/target offense, misdemeanor and restricted to youths 16-21 appearing in Town of Evans Court, courtesy extended to Eden, North Collins and Brant Courts.
Description of Service: An 8 week group treatment program includes a visit to the Collins Correctional Facility. Conducted by professional counselors. Courts are given written evaluation and recommendation regarding disposition of charges. Length of time on waiting list depends upon minimum group size of 8. Clients are allowed to miss no more than 2 sessions. Approximately 1-2 groups a year. Restrictions on program eligibility are rare.
Length of Participation: 8 weeks
Waiting List: Varies
Gateway Longview Multi Services Agency, 6350 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. Contact Director Timothy Girard (716) 633-7266.
Primary Service: Provide Community Service, Education Intensive Supervision, Mental Health Treatment.
Type Service: Case Management, Day Treatment, Residential.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition, serving Family Court. Restricted for children ages 9-16 experiencing moderate to severe emotional problems.
List of in-house Services: Alcohol/drug treatment, individual, family counseling, education, health care, living skills, parenting, and recreation.
Description of Service: Seeks to intensively engage parents in strengthening their parenting skills and their relationship with their children as an integral part of program design. Counseling, special education for children/youth in residential program. Recreation and activities. Day treatment programs for children (age 5-21), and CSE referred children from school districts within 45 mile radius. Supervised independent living program (age 16-21). Therapeutic preschool program. Foster care.
Length of Participation: 11 months
Waiting List: Varies
Mid-Erie Matthew Gajewski Human Services Center, 1500 Broadway Buffalo, NY 14212 Contact Rob Roberts Clinical Supervisor (716) 893-0062.
Primary Service: Mental Health Treatment.
Type of Service: Case management, day treatment. In house services include alcohol/drug, individual and family counseling, education, living and parenting skills. Restricted to children and adults.
Judicial Stage: Pre- and Post-disposition. Serving all courts. Eligibility/target offenses, felony, misdemeanor and probation/parole violations.
Description of Service: Pre-admission comprehensive assessment links client with appropriate program, can occur at office/home/institution. Child and adult mental health, family counseling, psychiatric treatment, individual/group counseling, chemical dependency assessments and treatment. Groups on parenting, self-esteem, living with a physical and/or mental illness, anger management and women's issues. Medication evaluation. Medicare/Medicaid/private/sliding fee.
Length of Participation: Varies based on need
Waiting List: None
NCCJ First Time/Last Time Program, 360 Delaware Avenue, Suite 106, Buffalo, NY 14202. Contact Susan Croglio Project Coordinator (716) 853-9598.
Primary Service: First offender diversion, including case management.
Type of Service: Case management, individual and family. Setting goals, planning for youths future, assistance with court related matters, referrals to educational programs and high school equivalency programs. Vocational preparation and planning, referrals to drug/alcohol programs, short term/long-range shelter arrangements and community service placements.
Judicial Stage:
Pre-disposition, serving all courts except Family Court.
Eligibility/target offenses, felony, and misdemeanor. Restricted to individual and family counseling.
Description of Service: The program offers first time offenders,
ages 6-21, an alternative to incarceration. The program serves youth who become
involved in the Criminal Justice System by providing direct services for crisis
intervention and individual counseling as well as targeting these youth into an
extensive and supportive referral system based upon individual need.
Length of Participation: Traditionally, 6 months
Waiting List: None
Office of Legal & Advocacy Services of Heritage Centers,2643 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Contact Sarah Loesch (716) 833-8601.
Primary Service: Defender based advocacy.
Type of Service: Case management. In house services include employment search, family counseling, health care, housing assistance, living and parenting skills.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition. Serving all courts. Eligibility/target offenses, felony, misdemeanor and probation/parole violations. Restricted for persons who are mentally retarded.
Description of Service: Handles cases for persons who are mentally retarded. Wide range of legal concerns include government entitlements, special education placement, guardianship, family law, and criminal matters. Heritage Centers provides individual and family support services including case management, counseling referrals, and applications for residential placement. Has variety of vocational programming, operates community residences and supported apartments.
Length of Participation:
Waiting List: None
YO' Buffalo, 77 Goodell Street, Buffalo, NY 14209 contact Laurdes Igliesias 885-9840.
Primary Service: Education and intensive supervision.
Type of Services: Case management, workshop/group. In house services include, education, employment search and job training skills.
Judicial Stage: Continuous service, serving city and family courts. Eligibility/target offense, felony, misdemeanor and probation/parole violations. Restricted to youth ages 16-21.
Description of Service: Program provides case management, employment and counseling services, job training, job search assistance, job placement and skills assessment.
Length of Participation: Varies according to client need.
Waiting List: 2-4 weeks
P.I.N.S. Prevention Services
(Persons in Need of Supervision) 158
North Pearl, Street Buffalo, NY 14202.
Contact Sharon C. Mazzetti
Supervising Caseworker (716) 883-9800.
Primary Service Provided: Education.
Type of Service: Case management. In house services, individual, family counseling, living and parenting skills.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition covering family court. Restricted to adolescents 7-16 years of age.
Description of Service: Provides preventive services/intervention to avoid petitions to Family Court. For adolescents and teenagers ages 7 to 16. Intensive family counseling services focus on stabilizing the immediate crisis in the family. Peer support and parenting education provide the direction, insight and awareness necessary to enhance/keep the family together. Advocacy in school and court system.
Length of Participation: 12 minimum, usually 6 months
Waiting List: None
Pre-Trial Release
Services,
25 Delaware Avenue, Room 659 Buffalo, NY 14202.
Contact
Camille Brandon Coordinator (716) 858-8222.
Primary Service Provided: Drug/alcohol
treatment, first offender diversion, mental health treatment, pre-trial
evaluation and case management.
Judicial Stage:
Pre-disposition and reentry, serving city, county and town courts.
Eligibility/target offense, felony misdemeanor and probation/parole violation.
Description of Service: Provides criminal court judges with
information regarding a defendant to facilitate release prior to a determination
of guilt or innocence. The Program offers a number of services to meet our goal
of reducing unnecessary incarceration while maintaining public safety. The components of this program include; pretrial screening and
assessment to determine client eligibility for release on recognizance, release
under supervision and release on bail expediting in cases where bail has been
set but the defendant is unable to raise the bail. The Release Under Supervision
Program which focuses on defendants in need of intensive drug and/or alcohol
treatment. Project staff are expected to screen all pretrial detainees. An
interview is conducted which uses a standardized format to gather information
about the defendant including linkages to the community and names and telephone
numbers of others who can provide and/or verify information. Staff contacts
relatives and friends of the defendant. When supervision is required for the
defendant, staff maintains regular contact. The Program accepts responsibility
for advising released individuals of upcoming court dates and may refer those in
need to applicable human service agencies.
Length of Participation: N/A
Waiting List: N/A
SAFE Salvation Army Family Education, 960 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Contact Kathy Loeffert, Program Director (716) 883-9800 Ext. 241.
Primary Service Provided: Education, workshop/group.
Type of Service: In house services include, individual and family counseling, health care, living and parenting skills.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition and continuous service, serving Family court.
Description of Service: Assists at-risk parents through parenting instruction, self-image building and counseling. A child care program operates simultaneously with the parenting classes in an educational and stimulating environment. GED prep is also available. Most clients referred though Child Protection Services and/or Children's Services which receive their referrals from Family Court.
Length of Participation: 10 weeks
Waiting List: None
Summer Youth Summer Employment Training Program, 77 Goodell Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Jeff Nixon Director of Summer Youth (716) 856-5627
Primary Service Provided: Employment & Job Training.
Type of Service: Placement in not-for-profit agencies that provide a work experience and job readiness training.
Judicial Stage: Continuous Service, serving city and family courts. Eligibility/target offense, misdemeanors, restricted for ages 14-21.
Description of Service: SUMMER ONLY - JULY-AUGUST. Assessment in MAY and JUNE for placement in paid employment at non-profit companies. Must be economically disadvantage (standard lower level income), have disability, or be physically challenged to qualify. Accommodates for summer school to some degree if necessary.
Length of Participation: 2 months
Waiting List: Depends on intake
Town of Cheektowaga First Offender & Troubled Youth Counseling Program, Child and Family Services 2470 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Contact Annie Monaco Program Director (716) 681-5718.
Primary Service: Individual and family counseling for first/early offenders, PINS, Pre-PINS at risk.
Type of Service: Case management, workshop/group.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition. Serving Family and Town courts. Eligibility/Target offense, felonies and misdemeanors, status and at-risk. Restricted to Cheektowaga residents under 21 (and family) juvenile and criminal courts in Cheektowaga, Sloan and Depew.
Description of Service: Offers professional counseling to first and early offenders, troubled youth and their families. Thorough individual and family assessment includes screening for drug/alcohol abuse and family violence. Goals, to develop greater self awareness, and assume responsibility for actions. Completion in counseling results in clean record.
Length of Participation: 3-6 months
Waiting List: 2-4 weeks
Youth Counseling Services, 25 Delaware Avenue, Suite 201, City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. Contact, Elizabeth Wilk, Program Director (716) 851-4178
Primary Service: Defender based advocacy, first offender diversion.
Type of Service: Case management, individual counseling, health care, living and parenting skills.
Judicial Stage: Pre-disposition serving city court. Eligibility/Target offense, felony and misdemeanor restricted to youth only and no repeat violent offenders.
Description of Service: Individual counseling for youth from staff counselor. YCS will return the case to court if s/he is 1) involved with further legal difficulty, 2) not cooperating or 3) not benefiting from counseling. Counselor will address issues of home, school, employment, personality, companions, social activities, drug assessment and future goals. Provides courts with report, and recommendations regarding sentencing. Dismissal of charges/ no criminal record possible through participation.
Length of Participation:
Waiting List: 2 weeks
Teaching and Restoring Youth, (TRY) ,307 Leroy Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214. Contact Janet DiPasquale (716) 892-2814.
Primary Service: Intensive Supervision.
Type of Service: Residential, case management. Individual,
family counseling, living skills, recreation, alcohol/drug counseling,
health care, job skills training, employment search.
Judicial Stage: Continuous Service. Serving all courts. Restricted to women between 16 and 25 who have been sexually abused or who have been involved with prostitution.
Description of Service: TRY is a safe haven for young women who have a desire to escape abuse, violence and victimization. TRY is a transitional living program for ten women between the ages of 16 and 25. Upon completion of the program, each woman is assisted in finding a safe, permanent living situation. Follow-up and after care will be provided.
Length of Participation: 6 months-1year
Waiting List: None