Independent Living

ILGR EXTERNAL POSTING TITLE: Housing Specialist (Temporary, One Year) Independent Living of the Genesee Region DESCRIPTION: To assist individuals to apply for, and navigate, the programs and services offered through Independent Living, including but not limited to coordinating housing evaluations and program options for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. ...Continue reading

Many people are confused by the recent cancellation of scheduled COVID-19 inoculations with the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, after previous enthusiastic endorsements, while assuring everyone that they still have confidence in the brand but are just pausing its use for further study. The Empire State’s leading health official still endorses the vaccine but explained the decision: STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. HOWARD ZUCKER REGARDING JOHNSON &... JOHNSON VACCINE "Today [4/14/21], the CDC [Center for Disease Control and Prevention] and FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] issued a statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution. New York State will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide immediately today while these health and safety agencies evaluate next steps. All appointments for Johnson & Johnson vaccines today at New York State mass vaccination sites will be honored with the Pfizer vaccine. "As the CDC and FDA have said, any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 'appear to be extremely rare' and, 'People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.' "I am in constant contact with the federal government and we will update New Yorkers as more information becomes available."

WNYIL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING TITLE: Taking Control: Customer Service Specialist DESCRIPTION: Answer incoming department calls and direct them to the appropriate staff. Assist program staff with documentation management and processing. Perform general office duties. ...Continue reading

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Join us for our 2nd Annual Virtual Walk, Run & Roll, an all inclusive 5k & 10k race! Complete your race on your own time between May 31 and June 6, whether it takes you one day or the whole week! A $30.00 donation is requested to participate and includes a free T-shirt in the size of your choosing! ... Don't forget to tag us in your photos when you complete your race! Head over to runsignup.com/ilncwalkrunroll to register and grab your spot today! All proceeds go directly to our nonprofit to help those in Niagara County live independently in our communities. As always, thank you so much for your continued support. ILNC appreciates you!

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) of the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) has revised their timely coronavirus precautions: FRAUD ALERT: COVID-19 SCAMS As the number of people and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic grows, so do the scams associated with it. Scammers use public health emergencies as opportunities for new fraud schemes, and because older adults and people with disabilities are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, they may t...Continue reading

WESTERN NEW YORK INDEPENDENT LIVING TO HOST VIRTUAL MEETING WITH INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WESTERN NEW YORK INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC. (WNYIL), in partnership with the ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (ECDOH), the ERIE COUNTY OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (ECOPWD) and the INDEPENDENT CONSUMER ADVOCACY NETWORK (ICAN) LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, will be providing details on the timeline for people with disabilities in Western New... York to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, there will be information on the different types of vaccines and where to receive your vaccine, for those who wish to receive it. There will be two opportunities to view via Zoom or listen over the telephone to the live presentations at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2021. Participants are asked to pre-register by January 5, 2021 with Jillian Moss at [email protected], or by calling (716) 836-0822, extension 146. The link to the Zoom Meeting information will be provided at that time, or for those who would prefer listening by phone, a call-in number will be provided upon registering. Space is limited so pre-registering is recommended. Following successful trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer and, more recently, to Moderna, to distribute tens of thousands of doses of their vaccines in phases to Western New York residents. New York State will first be issuing doses to front-line health care workers, coordinated by a hospital system in each region of the State, an effort that has already begun, followed by nursing home and other congregate care facilities’ residents and staff.

ILNC EXTERNAL POSTING TITLE: ILNC- NY Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist DESCRIPTION: Will work with the NY Connects Team in participating county(s) to connect aging or disabled individuals and their families to established support programs, critical pathways to providers to help facilitate access to needed home and community based supports and services, and streamline access to public benefits and application assistance....Continue reading

WNYIL EXTERNAL JOB POSTING TITLE: Director of Independent Living Services DESCRIPTION: This position is responsible for the supervision of the various specialists within the department, overseeing billing activity, monitoring outcomes, developing programming, identifying consumer trends and addressing advocacy issues. ... DUTIES: 1. Responsible for the supervision of identified programs, including: a. Monitoring the progress of programs. b. Evaluating the impact of the programs. c. Achieve and Report the progress of program goals to appropriate funding sources. 2. Supervise program and administrative staff according to WNYIL policies, procedures, and practices, including: a. Recruitment b. Hiring c. Evaluation of staff d. Termination of staff 3. Request the acquisition of budgeted goods and services necessary for the operation of programs. 4. Monitor Consumer Service records to ensure that consumer data and reporting of services are complete and correct. 5. Coordinate and ensure accuracy of the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports. 6. Identify consumer trends and potential systemic advocacy issues. 7. Conduct and collect the results of WNYIL’s consumer satisfaction measuring tools and report results to WNYIL’s Administration. 8. Complete ongoing training and education necessary to meet the supervision qualifications of identified programs. 9. Must complete NYS CASE Trainings within the first 12 months of employment. 10. Oversee and supervise Ticket to Work (TTW) and New York State Employment Service System (NYESS) activity. 11. Participate in maintaining a neat, clean and safe work environment. 12. Perform any other duties as deemed legally and ethically necessary by the Supervisor. SUPERVISION: Works under the supervision of the Chief Operations Officer. STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE: Must at all times perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities. QUALIFICATIONS: At minimum, a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling; or a Bachelor’s Degree and at least four years (4) of relevant experience delivering vocational services to individuals with disabilities. Professional and life-experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of, academic credentials. Western New York Independent Living, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disabilities. Western New York Independent Living, Inc. is a Scent-Free Agency. SALARY RANGE: $55,000 to $60,000 CLOSING DATE: January 6, 2021 RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: Tina Brown, CHRCO WNY Independent Living, Inc. 3108 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14214 [email protected]

ILC EXTERNAL POSTING TITLE: ILC- Open Doors Transition Specialist DESCRIPTION: Assists individuals in re-entry from institutional settings to the community. The Open-Doors Transition Specialist will facilitate and coordinate, for individuals residing in institutions, a comprehensive plan to re-enter the community....Continue reading

The Young Leaders and Advocates Network (YLAN) the newest division of Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL), feels that this request for input, specifically directed at youth and young adults with Developmental Disabilities, is a great opportunity for this constituency to express their priorities. THE INVITATION: Help inform the creation of programs supporting you and your peers by participating in the NEW YORK STATE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL (D...DPC) STATE PLAN SURVEY! The NYS DDPC State Plan outlines the direction of their work for the next five years. While the NYS DDPC does not provide direct services, they do pilot new programs across the state. Input from young people and other advocates in the past have led to projects being funded such as leadership forums, a juvenile justice community of practice, advocacy institutes, and more! Learn more about the DDPC and the projects they fund by visiting ddpc.ny.gov. Fill out the survey BY FEBRUARY 1, 2021, by visiting: www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDPCSPYOUTH You can also learn more about the statewide focus group recently held by the Young Leaders and Advocates Network and issues that are important to young people with disabilities by visiting www.ylanetworkny.org/ddpcinput