Jacobs Delivers $1 Million to Expand People Inc. Healthcare Delivery

(Buffalo, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (60^th SD) announced that he has secured a major investment of $1 million in state funding to support People Inc.’s efforts to build a brand new Elmwood Health Center.  

“People Inc. has excelled at providing quality healthcare, first for the developmentally disabled community, and then the general population, for the last twenty-five years at their Elmwood Health Center,” said Jacobs.  “The need continues to grow, and I am very pleased that this $1 million will allow People to significantly enhance their healthcare delivery and realize their vision for the future.”

People Inc. opened the current Elmwood Heath Center in 1994 to address the unique healthcare needs for people with developmental disabilities.  These individuals often require more time with a healthcare practitioner and sometimes have medical needs that require them to see various medical specialists like occupational and physical therapists, podiatrists, neurologists, behavioral management specialists and social workers.  Their healthcare experience is greatly improved by being able to access all these services under one roof. 

Over the last twenty-five years, the organization gradually expanded their services to the surrounding neighborhood.  As demand grew in the underserved community, so too did their existing clients, and they now serve people from as far north as Niagara Falls to as far south as East Aurora.  With a growing wait list for services, People developed their plans and vision for the new facility.

“It’s amazing when you look at how much we have grown at our Elmwood Health Center.  Twenty-five years ago, we started here because we saw the need for people with developmental disabilities to get the proper healthcare they deserve,” said People Inc. President & CEO, Rhonda Frederick.   “We began to provide services to people without disabilities because we saw the need.  We are addressing the fact that this community is a medically underserved area - that there are critical healthcare issues here - by working with Senator Jacobs to build a new health center.  People Inc. and our Board of Directors are thankful to Senator Jacobs and more importantly, we are appreciative that he has a vision too.”

“I can attest firsthand to the exceptional services the Elmwood Health Center provides to my sister Jeanne.  The attention she receives, give her and my family peace of mind,” said Robert Mayer, Immediate Past Board Chair.  “As a brother, and a member of People Inc.’s Board of Directors, I thank Senator Jacobs and People Inc. for obtaining these funds so more people can have the same experience here and at the future Elmwood Health Center,” Mayer added.

Over the years, People Inc. has become an integral part of the Developmentally Disabled Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY).  Barbara DeLong is Co-Chair of DDAWNY’s Family Committee and her daughter Laura receives care at the Elmwood Health Center.  She participated in the announcement and tried to put the funding into the perspective of a family member whose loved one will be impacted.

“The whole team at the Elmwood Health Center, doctors, nurses, and office staff, are patient focused.  It is clear they are committed to providing quality care to individuals with developmental disabilities, which is often complicated,” said Barb DeLong, Co-Chair of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY Family Committee.  “There is a calming presence here.  It’s wonderful that this funding from Senator Jacobs will help others experience it in a new facility,” added DeLong.

“This funding and the expanded care capacity it will create will go a long way to ensuring the most vulnerable in our society receive the most basic and critical care, and improve the quality of life for both patients and their families,” Jacobs concluded.