S.T.A.R. (Support, Training, and Respite)

S.T.A.R. Skill Building provides onsite specialized respite/skill building groups to individuals whose parents or caregivers attend a S.T.A.R.  training session, as well as individuals who are located in a difficult to serve area. These groups are also offered to individuals’ siblings whose families are attending training sessions.

Skill Building is a person-centered program that offers parents and caregivers a needed break and provides individuals with an environment to work on new skills and participate in recreational and leisure activities.

Our staff work with each individual to develop the skills needed to attend traditional waiver respite services. This may include working on coping strategies, making appropriate requests, and accepting no or waiting.

This service is typically offered on Saturdays and Sundays with some added “break days” during Summit Academy school breaks.

Eligibility:

• This program serves individuals with I/DD ages 3 and up

The Summit Center’s S.T.A.R. Training, funded by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), offers parents and caregivers new strategies to manage various stages of your child’s life. Sessions are conducted by members of The Summit Center’s professional staff who have significant background, training, and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. For those who participate, respite opportunities may be available at a later date.

Eligibility:  All sessions are open at no cost to those who are OPWDD eligible. Those with Self Direction must include this in their budget. To maintain eligibility for this program, you must attend a minimum of one session every six months.

To register:  Call Ashlee Bronson, Assistant Director of Community Services, at 716.629.3400. For virtual sessions, a link to the training will be emailed to you after you are registered. Please note that the registration/approval process may take up to five days to complete. Timeframe for approval through Self Direction may vary. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process prior to each session you wish to attend.

Download our calendar of scheduled training sessions and determine which one is best for you.

2024 Third Quarter Training Schedule

Upcoming Trainings:

Community Social Skills                                                      Thursday, July 11, 2024                            7 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will provide caregivers with an overview of generalized methods for the use of prosocial behavior in community spaces as well as assist in identifying strategies that may help their children remain safe and succeed in community settings.
Presenter: Juli Gunner, M.S., BCBA, Behavior Consultant

Toileting                                                                                     Tuesday, July 16, 2024                             4 p.m.
Virtual session
Many children, regardless of a developmental disability, can struggle with aspects of toileting. This training will identify the challenges that caregivers typically face and teach simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to encourage skill building in this area.
Presenter: Angelo Deoki, B.A., Behavior Case Manager

Managing Challenging Behaviors                                    Saturday, July 16, 2024                            11 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on teaching caregivers where challenging behaviors typically come from, what challenging behaviors mean, and some simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to decrease challenging behaviors and build skills.
Presenter: Kameron Plotner, M.S., BCBA, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support

Behavior Basics                                                                     Saturday, August 17, 2024                         10 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on basic proactive strategies to help caregivers reduce challenging behaviors that their children may exhibit. Topics will include reinforcement of positive behaviors, simple communication strategies, and other behavioral tips and techniques.
Presenter: Gretchen Abdulla, Supervising Clinician – Behavior Support

Emotional Co-regulation                                                 Thursday, September 19, 2024                   7 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will teach caregivers to identify and implement effective de-escalation strategies for their child. Topics will reflect how self-regulation relates to co-regulation, developing meaningful calming techniques, and teaching your child to request and rely upon these skills when escalated.
Presenter: Juli Gunner, M.S., BCBA, Behavior Consultant

Puberty and Sexuality                                                       Saturday, September 21, 2024                     10 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will provide an overview of puberty and sexuality, potential obstacles, and suggested skills to work on.
Presenter: Gretchen Abdulla, Supervising Clinician – Behavior Support

Managing Challenging Behaviors                             Tuesday, September 24, 2024                       4 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on teaching caregivers where challenging behaviors typically come from, what challenging behaviors mean, and some simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to decrease challenging behaviors and build skills.
Presenter: Angela Deoki, B.A., Behavior Case Manager

S.T.A.R. Intensive provides intensive therapeutic services to individuals who require a higher staff ratio due to extreme behavior needs and who are unable to be served in traditional waiver respite programs. Individuals are evaluated by a specialized behavior support team and extensive data is collected.

This service offers up to a 3:1 direct support staff ration with the ultimate goal of reducing staff to 1:1 support. Our highly trained and credentialed staff will implement a plan tailored to each individual’s needs. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, a behavior consultant and supervisor will be present for some or all of each scheduled session.

Sessions are offered after school, evenings, and weekends in 2 – 4-hour increments based on a family’s needs and availability for a total of 8 hours per month per individual. Services are delivered onsite or in-home determined by family preference/program desired.

Eligibility:

• Provided to individuals ages 3 years old and up