January 2022

Party for Summit postponed until November

Our new date is Friday, November 4, at Rich's Atrium. We hope you will join us then for a safe and fun evening.

 

If you have any questions, particularly if you have purchased a sponsorship or tickets, please contact Kara Lee, Director of Development, at klee@thesummitcenter.org.

Interior work begins on Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment

Construction continues on the Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment (CAAT), located at 165 Creekside Drive in Amherst.

 

Crews have started working on the interior of the building, putting up dry wall, painting, and installing the ceiling grid. In addition, the roof has been completed on the connector that will join the new center to The Summit Center’s adjacent secondary school building.

 

Construction is scheduled for completion this summer, and the CAAT is planned to open in September. Once completed, the Center will support more Western New York children by providing intensive out-patient treatment for children with severe challenging behaviors.

 

The CAAT will have significant startup costs, from program development to treatment software to staff training. Summit has quietly fundraised to cover these expenses for the past year. We are thrilled to announce that the Garman Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has awarded us $20,000. This grant will help offset the planning costs associated with this ground-breaking program.

 

We look forward to providing additional updates on the Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment in the coming months.

Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism awards $10,000 to The Summit Center

The Summit Center recently received a $10,000 grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, which will provide additional transportation for Summit’s adult division programs to support more people in becoming a part of their community.

 

The grant was used to purchase a new van for Summit’s growing adult day habilitation program S.T.E.P.S. (Success Through Engagement and Positive Supports). S.T.E.P.S. gives people the opportunity to build connections with peers and become engaged with their community while developing important life skills. This includes volunteering at local organizations and participating in group outings such as bowling, trips to local parks, coffee shop visits, and more. 

Currently, S.T.E.P.S. serves 40 individuals out of two locations, one in Amherst and the other in Tonawanda.

 

“With the rate our S.T.E.P.S. program is growing, we need to expand our fleet of vehicles to offer all individuals the opportunity to attend daily community activities,” said Wendy Loverme, Summit’s Director of Community Services. “Thanks to this grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, we are now able to accommodate the growth of S.T.E.P.S., which includes an array of community outings that help individuals to develop relationships within the community and realize greater independence.”

 

“The Flutie Foundation Signature Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community,” said Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Programs like these are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”

 

The signature grants that the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism distributed this year support traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Foundation’s areas of interest; providing a path for educational and vocational skills, supporting recreational and active lifestyles, and ensuring people with autism are safe, supported, and informed.

S.T.E.P.S. gives back to those in need this winter

brand new hygiene products, non-perishable food items, warm clothing, shoes, blankets, towels, and washcloths.

 

A large focus of Summit's S.T.E.P.S. program is volunteering in the community, but this has been difficult due to Covid restrictions. This collection gave S.T.E.P.S. participants an opportunity to volunteer by collecting and sorting items as well as delivering them to the Buffalo City Mission.

 

We are so very proud of the work that our individuals and their families have done, and we hope to continue this project every year!

Summit Operating Board elects new members

Pro Tips: Transitioning to young adulthood

Below are a few important tips for parents and caregivers to think about when a child starts this transition to young adulthood.

 

1. Transportation

 

One consideration that is often overlooked is how a young adult will get to and from jobs, appointments, or day habilitation and pre-vocational placements. Available services in WNY include Medicaid cabs for medical appointments, contract van services, such as Bluebird and Aires, stipends for parents who provide transportation, and public transportation (NFTA Metro, and PAL). PAL, NFTA’s Paratransit Access Line, is a bus service for individuals living within a half mile of a regular Metro station or stop, who are unable to navigate the regular NFTA Metro system. 

2. Explore interests

 

Now is the time your child might be developing specific interests that could lead to community engagement and/or a career. Talk to your child about the things they enjoy and how that might translate to activities they can do as a young adult. Even if your child is not inclined to or unable to discuss interests and preferences, offering opportunities to try diverse activities, and observing his or her engagement with these activities, is a great way to give your child a voice. Maybe they like to help around the house. This could be a great way to get your child involved in volunteering opportunities, such as a food pantry. Maybe they enjoy meeting new people. This could translate to getting a job interacting with customers.

3. Care coordination

 

If you don’t already have a care coordinator, consider choosing one to help you and your child navigate services and eligibility requirements. Prior to graduation, a care coordinator can help connect you with resources, fill out program applications, and find the appropriate services your child may need. As your student transitions into adulthood, if you are considering a day habilitation or respite program through OPWDD, you must have a care coordinator.

4. Learn what services are offered

 

Summit offers several adult division services including S.T.E.P.S. (Success Through Engagement and Positive Supports), Community Habilitation, P.A.C.E. (Pre-Vocational and Community Experience), ACCES-VR, and Supported Employment. Each of these programs works with young adults to achieve different goals and develop new skills to help them gain independence and become an active part of their community. 

 

Some programs are group-based in a community setting, while others work with adults one-on-one from their home. You can learn more about the programs offered by Summit and by other local organizations at www.thesummitcenter.org/agencyfair.

Leave your legacy with The Summit Center

How will you benefit?

• Your gift costs you nothing now.
• You decide exactly how much to give.
• You can choose to make your gift anonymously.
• Your ideals and values will live on.

The Vista Society honors individuals who have included The Summit Center in their estate plans. Examples of planned gifts include outlining a fixed donation in your will, transferring stock, or naming Summit as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Complete a Vista Society enrollment form so we can thank you during your lifetime. 

 

For more information on planned giving and The Vista Society, visit thesummitcenter.org/plannedgiving. 

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

Free virtual workshop covers strengths based teaching

• Overview of recent developments in autism self-advocacy & strengths based teaching
• Specific strategies to teach students how to develop stories
• Ideas and materials about how to implement in your classroom

 Students will potentially benefit from developing their own stories in the following ways:

• Increased self-advocacy
• Increased social interactions
• Increased engagement in conversations about strengths and needs
• Increased ability for self-determination such as planning for the future, involvement at CSE meetings, and assessing needs

To sign up, please follow this link: WNYRCASD - Western New York Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

 

Fact of the Month

The first signs of autism usually appear before age 3. The earliest signs typically include poor eye contact, lack of pointing, difficulty in the use or understanding of language, and unusual play or lack of play. Although there is no cure for autism, children can make substantial gains with early intensive intervention. (CDC)

Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges.

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