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 Tim Philo, intake specialist, at 716-629-3421. 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.

2025 First Quarter Training Schedule

Upcoming Trainings:

Community Social Skills                          Tuesday, January 14, 2025                       6-7 p.m.
In-person session at 75 Pineview Drive, Suite 300, Amherst NY 14228
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: Angela Deoki, B.A.

Toilet Training                                            Saturday, January 18, 2025                       10-11 a.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: Gretchen Abdulla, supervising clinician of behavior support

Emotional Co-regulation                         Saturday, January 25, 2025                       10-11 a.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

Toilet Training                                            Saturday, February 22, 2025                       10-11 a.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: Gretchen Abdulla, supervising clinician of behavior support

Community Social Skills                        Wednesday, February 26, 2025                       6-7 p.m.
In-person session at 75 Pineview Drive, Suite 300, Amherst NY 14228
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: Angela Deoki, B.A.

Independence with AAC                         Thursday, February 27, 2025                       6-7 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will teach caregivers to feasibly integrate the use of their child’s augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device into family routines. We will address demystifying basic device setup, strategies for modeling and prompting device use, and fun activities for them learn to use their AAC independently and spontaneously. Additionally, we will address the use of AAC devices to navigate communication breakdowns and help safely communicate at times of escalation and/or crisis.
Presenter: Juli Gunner, M.S., BCBA, behavior consultant

Emotional Co-regulation                         Tuesday, March 11, 2025                              7-8 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

Community Social Skills                        Thursday, March 20, 2025                       6-7 p.m.
In-person session at 75 Pineview Drive, Suite 300, Amherst NY 14228
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: Angela Deoki, B.A.

Independence with AAC                         Wednesday, March 26, 2025                       6-7 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will teach caregivers to feasibly integrate the use of their child’s augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device into family routines. We will address demystifying basic device setup, strategies for modeling and prompting device use, and fun activities for them learn to use their AAC independently and spontaneously. Additionally, we will address the use of AAC devices to navigate communication breakdowns and help safely communicate at times of escalation and/or crisis.
Presenter: Juli Gunner, M.S., BCBA, behavior consultant

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