Residential Services

Certified Housing

 

Empower operates 11 certified housing sites throughout Niagara County. These include Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), as well as Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for people who need more structure and support. There is usually a wait for admission to these homes, and beds are offered based on urgency of need.

Please NOTE: Visitations to certified group home residents have been temporarily suspended per a mandate from New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities in order to protect residents from the health risk posed by COVID-19.

Funding is through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, so you must be eligible for OPWDD services to live in a certified home.

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Geri Rose Garden Apartments

Our Geri Rose Garden Apartments, located in the Town of Niagara, offer a comfortable, modern and fully accessible living environment for people with any type of disability. The 11-unit building is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rent and utilities subsidized by HUD. To learn more or to be placed on a waiting list, please contact Empower’s Residential Services Division at (716) 297-0798, x134.

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Community and In-Home Respite

Our Community Respite program takes place in a fully accessible, modern local hotel. Trained respite workers who have gone through a thorough background check will spend time with a group of individuals in a hotel suite. They will also spend time in the community doing safe, fun group activities. This program usually takes place over a weekend. This frees up the family caregiver to run errands, take a break or even go out of town.

Funding is through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, so you must be eligible for OPWDD services to utilize community respite.

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In-home respite gives caregivers time for themselves. A trained respite worker who has gone through a thorough background check will spend time with the individual at home. This frees up the family caregiver to run errands or take a break.

Funding is through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, so you must be eligible for OPWDD services to utilize in-home respite.

To learn more, contact Empower’s Residential Services Division at (716) 297-0798, x134.

 

Community Habilitation

Community Habilitation helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to gain the skills to live as independently as possible. These might include grocery shopping, personal finance, and using public transportation, among others. A trained direct support professional who has gone through a thorough background check will usually provide these services on a one-to-one basis, often in the home.

Funding is through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, so you must be eligible for OPWDD services to utilize Community Habilitation.

To learn more, please contact Empower’s Residential Services Division at (716) 297-0798, x134.

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Home and Environmental Modifications

Home or Environmental Modifications (often called “E-Mods”) are physical changes to make a person’s home more accessible. E-Mods may include such items as ramps, lifts, handrails, and bathroom modifications.

Funding is through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, so you must be eligible for OPWDD services to receive help with Home Modifications.

To learn more, please call us at (716) 297-0798, ext. 120.​​