Family Support

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Request for Support

Outreach Coordinator - Melissa BrindAmour, LMSW
716-677-3377

The Outreach Coordinators role is to work in partnership with parents and community human service agencies, to serve residents of the West Seneca Central School District. Information and referrals to additional outside agencies and resources are available in order to meet the needs of students and their families. Needs may include, but are not limited to, behavioral concerns, mental health issues, parenting, marital issues, and alcohol and/or substance abuse. The Outreach Coordinator is also able to link families with temporary support for basic needs such as food and clothing.

Contact your child's school counselor, social worker, school psychologist or administrator to receive this service. You can also call the Outreach Coordinator directly (716) 677-3377 or complete the form below:

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This guide contains links to other non-school related Internet sites and resources. These sites are provided purely for your convenience. They do not imply that the West Seneca Central School District endorses or supports these organizations, the information on their pages, or their products or services in any way.
Social Workers by Building

Allendale Elementary
Hanley Sean
(716) 677-3660

BESST TEAM
Lisa Gill
(716) 677-3250

Clinton Elementary
Tina Schoepflin
(716) 677-3620

East Middle
Christopher Scozzaro
(716) 677-3530

East Senior
Kristen Syracuse
(716) 677-3300

Northwood Elementary
Breanna Fitzpatrick
(716) 677-3640

West Elementary
Elizabeth (Lisa) Caprio
(716) 677-3250

West Middle
Aimee Smart
(716) 677-3500

West Senior
Kathryn DiPasquale
(716) 677-3350

Winchester-Potters Elementary
Luke Rejewski
(716) 677-3580
Emergency Assistance

Emergency Services Benefits

HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Plan)

Temporary Cash Assistance (TA)

Foreclosure/Eviction

Utility Arrears

Security Agreements

Moving Assistance

Storage Assistance

Water Assistance

Home Repair

Essential Home Repair

Erie County DSS Emergency Housing - 716-858-2912
If you have nowhere safe to stay, the Homeless Team, located at 158 Pearl Street, 1st floor, may be able to place you in a shelter, hotel, or motel during normal business hours. After 5:00 pm, you may call 211WNY, at 1-888-696-9211. They can help you find safe shelter for the night, and then have you follow up with the Homeless Team the following business day.

Emergency Services can also help with Establishment of Household Grants, Stove and Refrigerator Assistance, Grants of Assistance for Guide Dogs and SSI Check Replacement.

Neighborhood Legal Services
Find out your rights: 716-847-0650. They are located at 237 Main St. Suite 400 from 9am-12pm. Monday-Friday for walk-in assistance.

Free Diapers for Children Under Age 3
Food and Clothing

FOOD ASSISTANCE

West Seneca Community Food Pantry
51 St. David's Drive, West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: 716-574-4411 or 716-823-8376
Hours: Tuesday, 9:30am-12:30pm and by appointment for emergencies for registered clients.
Eligibility: Residents living in the 14224 zip code.
Intake Process: Walk in; bring ID, proof of income, residence, and household size.

FeedMore WNY
Telephone: (716) 852-1305

716 Little Free Pantry
The pantries are available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The pantries are self-serve and community driven.

14 Holy Helpers Sharing Committee (delivery pantry that only services those without transportation or are disabled)
1345 Indian Church Road West Seneca, NY 14224
Telephone: (716) 674-3299
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday by Appointment

Resurrection Life Food Pantry
2145 Old Union Road Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Telephone: (716)656-8995
Hours: Drive Thru Tuesday & Thursday (EVERY week) 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM; 1st & 3rd Thursday 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Contact Resurrection Life Food Pantry to get more information on eligibility and identification necessary to apply for temporary emergency food assistance

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps families buy food needed for good health. If participants meet the program guidelines they receive an EBT Card. This debit card comes with a certain amount of money already on it to pay for food. The amount of money participants get on the card may depend on three things:
● household income from all sources (earned and unearned) such as money from a job, Social Security, SSI, or interest
● how many people live in the household
● residence
How to apply: Applications can be printed and mailed to the local office. There is also an online application (mybenefits.ny.gov). Call the State Hotline at (800) 342-3009 (in-state only) to see if you can apply by phone. Completed applications can be faxed to 858-6834. Completed applications can be mailed to: Erie County Department of Social Services; P.O. Box 120; Buffalo, NY 14201; Attention: SNAP Division.

CLOTHING ASSISTANCE

West Seneca School District Clothes Closet

I am Home Ministries
I am Home Ministries provides gently used clothing and other essential items such as diapers and wipes
Appointments by phone 716-880-0744

Wear and Share
Referral can be made by your building social worker and clothing delivered to you or picked up from school.

The Hope Project of WNY
The Hope Project of WNY, inc. provides gently used clothing, shoes, coats, winter wear, baby items, maternity clothing, prom dresses, Halloween costumes, school supplies and toys to our members. Hygiene products and cleaning supplies are also available. These products are provided at zero costs to our qualifying families.
Hours: Monday 10-4, Wednesday 10-7, Thursday 10-4
Telephone: (716) 810-9156
Parenting Assistance

Erie County Family Services TeamAre you struggling with oppositional behaviors, school refusal, defiance to rules or running away? Has your child refused counseling or counseling has been unsuccessful? The Family Services Team can assist parents in stabilizing home environments and linking you to community resources to address your issues.
Appletree Business Park, 2875 Union Road, Cheektowaga, Suite 356

Mental Health Advocates of WNY
For assistance, call 716-886-1242 x337, or email sdziwulski@mhawny.org
Child and Family Support Program
The Child and Family Support Program (CFSP) is a peer-run program offering a variety of services including support, advocacy, referrals, and education to those who have a young family member living with a mental illness. Advocates working in the program have a child or family member diagnosed with a mental illness. Youth peer advocates provide support to teens and transition-age young adults.
Respite
Short-term respite provided by a trained, experienced, background-cleared respite worker can help parents get a much-needed break.

Substance Use

Kids Escaping Drugs
920 Harlem Road, Buffalo, NY 14224
Telephone: (716) 827-9462

Kids Escaping Drugs Early Drug Intervention Presentations for Parents and Children

ECCPASA - Erie County Council for Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
1625 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Telephone: (716) 831-2298

When it comes to protecting your child from substances and dangerous situations, knowledge is power. To learn more about these topics so you can have informative and productive conversations, head to https://talkitover.org/

Tips On Behavior

WNY United Drug Awareness Handbook

CHILD CARE

Child Care Resource Network

Healthy Families New York

Erie County Day Care Unit
95 Franklin Street, Room 448, Buffalo, New York 14202
Telephone: (716) 858-8953
Low-income child care assistance is available to employed families who earn 200 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level. Parents contribute toward the cost of care based on a sliding income scale.

WEST SENECA YOUTH ACTIVITIES

West Seneca Youth & Recreation
1300 Union Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224
Telephone: (716) 674-6086

Buffalo & WNY's online guide to everything for kids, teens, & families

ArtsAccess - Arts for Everyone
Arts Access is a program of Arts Services Initiative of Western New York, an organization that promotes the cultural sector's vital role in economic development and the community through advocacy, capacity building, and collaboration in Erie County.
You must be a recipient of public assistance and present your benefit card when signing up.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara & The Southern Tier
Community Based Mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring relationship. The volunteer (Big) and child (Little) meet in their community to spend a few hours together, 2-3 times per month, doing things they both enjoy.
Support for Families

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE

Mental Health Resource Guide

24 Hour Hotlines
Domestic violence and sexual assault Support - 1-800-942-6906
Family Justice Center (716) 558-7233
Domestic Violence (716) 862-4357
Crisis Services (716) 834-3131
Crisis Services-Addiction (716) 831-1144
Kids Helpline (716) 834-1144
Spectrum CARES (716) 882-4357
Family Help Center (716) 892-2172

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County

Suicide Prevention Center of New York State

Grief

10 Ways to Help a Grieving Child

Helping Children Deal With Grief

Support Group Directory

Mental Health Advocates Support Groups
Family support groups are open to parents, foster parents, grandparents or any caregiver/guardian to provide support and alleviate isolation. Groups are conducted via video chat. One-on-one phone support is also available (see above).
Peer-led teen and young adult support groups offer a safe place for youth to connect. Groups are available for ages 13-18, and ages 18-28. Groups are conducted via video chat. One-on-one phone support is also available. Call 716.886.1242 x 345 or email peersupport@mhawny.org to schedule an appointment.

West Seneca Special Education PTA (SEPTA)
SEPTA is inclusive of all students/families with exceptional needs including; gifted/talented students and LGBTQ+ students. Members do not need to reside in the West Seneca School District. All are welcome.
SEPTA will meet the 3rd Monday of every month @ 7:30 PM via zoom.
Westsenecasepta@yahoo.com
716-393-9674

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Information on a Variety of Issues and Mental Health Topics

Children's Mental Health
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (LGBTQ)

Gay & Lesbian Youth Services (GLYS)
Location: 371 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 855-0221
Email: info@glyswny.org

Pride Center of WNY
200 South Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 847-0418

The Trevor Project
TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone support
TrevorText: Confidential text messaging with a Trevor Counselor. Text Start to 678-678
Social Media

Workshops for Parents

Female Teen Empowerment Advocacy Support Group (Ages 13-17)

Female Teen Group Ages 13-17 years old. Follow the QR code in the flier to fill out a referral

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Free Family Support Group (Families Like Yours Gather In Acceptance)

A new support group, FLYGIA (Families Like Yours Gather In Acceptance) will be starting on June 1st to help parents and caregivers of children (ages 5- 18) who struggle with their mental health.

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Gender Expansive Youth & Parent Support

Open to youth ages 5-11 and any parents guardians or caregivers starting April 13, 2023 from 5:30-7pm at the North Park Branch Library.

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Early Intervention Program - Adolescents "at risk"

Adolescents identified as being "at risk" by educators, parents, or doctors are provided with an opportunity for a private, one time session on the KED Campus with their parent(s)/guardian, a KED specialist, and a peer in recovery.

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Parent2Parent Conversation

Our Parent2Parent proactive conversation establishes a stigma proof way to educate parents about the trends and consequences of adolescent substance use and addiction.

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Erie County Family Peer Support Services

New Directions Family Peer Advocates provide Family Peer Support Services to parents and caregivers of youth who are experiencing mental health or behavior challenges.

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West Seneca Food Pantry

The West Seneca Community Food Pantry is located at 51 St. Davids Drive. Open Tuesdays from 9am-1pm and 2nd Saturday of the month

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1:1 Parenting Support - 4 Sessions - 30 minutes - Zoom

Kids not listening? Fighting constantly? Can't handle your teen's emotions? Get 1:1 Parenting Support in 4 sessions, 30 minutes each over Zoom

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Conflict Coaching at Child and Family Services

Let Conflict Coaching help you get along better while spending so much time together. Your Coach will help you think about options for better communication. Contact us to schedule your FREE, virtual session.

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Free Parenting Tips

Kids don't come free with instructions. Text EPIC to 274 448 for Free Parenting Tips.

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Mental Health Outside Providers & Resources

The following list is provided as a convenience for our parents. However, West Seneca Central School District does not endorse these providers. Parents should be aware that other mental health professionals in our community who are not on the list may be equally qualified to provide assistance.

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Questions about Suicide

How common is suicide in teens? What are some of the risk factors for suicide?

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