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People Inc. has long been an advocate for vocational training and employment opportunities for people with varying needs and abilities. Since 1986, People Inc. has helped people train, prepare for, secure, and maintain employment.

People Inc. is proud to announce the availability of Provide Real Opportunities to Maximize Options for Transition and Employment Youth (or PROMOTE Youth), which will provide Employment Transition Services (ETS) to students with disabilities in secondary, post-secondary, non-traditional or alternative education programs (between the ages of 14 and 21) who need such services and are potentially, BUT NOT YET, eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services.

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Watch this heartfelt video testimonial from a local business owner who proudly employs people with disabilities.

Community Prevocational Services

Erie and Niagara Counties

Community Prevocational Services prepare people with developmental disabilities for paid employment or meaningful community activities, including volunteering, community exploration and integration. These services are provided through out Erie and Niagara counties at multiple locations and are designed to be person-centered and part of the employment continuum.

Employment Training Program (ETP)

Erie, Niagara, Monroe and Orleans

Participants of the Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) Program can enroll in ETP to prepare and plan for employment success by completing various paid community internships. The internships provide opportunities for students with developmental disabilities to build skills that will increase their employability after graduation.

Community-based

Age: 18+

For more information about our Vocational Services, call 716.817.5750.

Job Placement Program

The goal of the People Inc. Job Placement Program is to assist people whose disabilities constitute a substantial obstacle to employment in the competitive work world. This service is designed to provide admission/initial assessment, job development, job placement, and intensive on-site training and related support services on a short-term basis.

Information: 716.694.6630

4286 Delaware Ave
Tonawanda, NY 14150

LEVELS - Learn, Educate, Volunteer, Employ, Lead and Succeed

Erie

CPV

People enrolled in LEVELS receive Community Prevocational services within the community and at the Lincoln Street location in Depew. Community exploration occurs at a variety of sites and locations determined through person-centered planning. These include paid and unpaid opportunities such as tours, volunteering and general observation and interaction in and around community locations and businesses. People learn the skills necessary to make educated short- and long-term vocational goals. Agency staff will support people in the transition to less restrictive services and supports, or ideally, employment.

For more information about our Vocational Services, call 716.817.5750.

Pathway to Employment

Erie and Niagara

PTE • All Regions

Provides assistance for people to obtain, maintain or advance in competitive employment or self-employment. This individualized service offers the opportunity to identify a career or vocational direction. Pathway to Employment also provides instruction and training in job readiness skills and develops a plan for achieving competitive, integrated employment at or above the New York State minimum wage. 

Within 12 months, the outcome of this service is documentation of the participant’s stated career objective, a detailed career plan used to guide employment supports and preparation for supported employment services.

Age: 18+

For more information about our Vocational Services, call 716.817.5750.

People Shoppe

Erie and Niagara

The People Shoppe at Tri-Main Center in Buffalo is the newest vocational initiative to provide people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to engage with the community through meaningful activities and hands-on work experience. Every purchase has a purpose - supporting the agency’s mission to provide a meaningful and inclusive experience, including training for a career in retail by exploring every aspect of operating a store from inventory to stocking to customer service to sales. The store is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PROMOTE Youth

Western New York

Attention Students: Ready, Set, Work: Options for Students with Disabilities

Provide Real Opportunities to Maximize Options for Transition and Employment Youth (or PROMOTE Youth) will provide Employment Transition Services (ETS) to students with disabilities in secondary, post-secondary, non-traditional or alternative education programs (between the ages of 14 and 21) who need such services and are potentially, BUT NOT YET, eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services.

PROMOTE Youth utilizes a collaboration of community-based organizations to deliver high-quality, personalized Employment Transition Services in Western New York. Each of these organizations brings a wealth of experience, as well as unique expertise, to help people explore the next steps in their vocational training.

Audience—students with disabilities who meet the base criteria:

  • Ages 14-21
  • Enrolled in an educational program, such as secondary school, home-school, alternate school, 2-year college, 4-year college, vocational or technical school, HSE preparation, adult literacy, or other recognized education program such as offered through the juvenile justice system
  • Not currently working with ACCES-VR
  • Are eligible for a Section 504 plan of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Are receiving special education services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Services Include (Location to provide services is flexible, please call for details):

  • Job Exploration
  • Counseling on Post-Secondary Education
  • Work-Based Learning
  • Work Place Readiness
  • Instruction on Self-Advocacy

If you already have an existing relationship with one of the agencies listed here, please reach out to them for information. If not, call 716.817.5750 for further details on PROMOTE Youth.

This project is funded in full by the Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) with authority of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Title IV.

SaVE Transition Program (School to Work)

Erie and Niagara

The goal of SaVE Transition Services is to significantly increase the community-based experiences and job readiness skills of special education students. The program begins to prepare students and their families for what resources are available in the community to support each student as they transition from school to adult life. Transition Services are provided to various Western New York School Districts and People Inc. continues to develop new relationships with other districts.

Community-based

Age: 14+

Admissions: 716.880.3700
Information: 716.694.6630

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Supported Employment Program

Erie, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans

ACCES-VR and OPWDD ETP •  All Regions

The People Inc. Supported Employment Program serves a large spectrum of people with disabilities in Erie, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans Counties. To accommodate the people we support, this program promotes individualized job carving. The Supported Employment Program continues to utilize an individual placement model, which provides assessment of employment interest and choice, job development, job training, stabilization and long-term follow along. All placements are community-based in an integrated setting. Participants are employees of their place of employment and are paid the prevailing wage for their work.

A job coach works as the liaison between the employer and the employee, focusing on job readiness and addressing any concerns.

Eligibility includes: Developmental disability, 18 years or older aging out of school system, referral from ACCES-VR, medically and residentially stable, independent in toileting and provide own transportation. (Supported Employment ACCES-VR Intensive, Extended and OPWDD Waiver - Community-based)

Age: 18+

Hours: Office hours 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday; job coach hours flexible according to the participant's work hours.

Information: 716.817.5750
Admissions Toll-Free Phone833.404.0032

For Business Owners: If you own or manage a local business and would like more information on how to become a partner with this program, contact us at 716.817.5750.

Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) Program

Erie and Niagara

CPV and DHWW 

A community-based program offering young adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to experience life on a college campus and locations within the area business community, while developing functional skills. The program focuses on independence in the community, preparation for employment and continuation of the learning process, as well as establishing and maintaining friendships. 

All activities are designed through person-centered planning and will ready participants for integrated, competitive employment.

Age: 18-26, some exceptions are available

Program locations:

  • YALT at Canisius College – Buffalo, NY: CPV • Central/City
  • YALT at Daemen College – Snyder, NY: CPV • Central
  • YALT at Erie Community College – Orchard Park, NY: CPV and DHWW • South
  • YALT in Lockport – Lockport, NY: Site-based day hab and DHWW • North
  • YALT at University at Buffalo (South Campus) – Buffalo, NY: CPV and DHWW • Central/City

Transportation: Medicaid transportation is provided to all participants who require the service. There may be some limitations regarding distance. Mobility training is a skill that is encouraged in the program, so utilizing public transportation may be appropriate in some instances.

Admissions >
Information: 716.817.7400

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