Community Agencies/Support
***Have something you'd like to see added to this page? Please contact us at clarenceseptsa@gmail.com***
Because I Love You (BILY)
Since 1982, Because I Love You, Parent and Youth Support Groups, has been helping families in crisis. Meetings are attended by parents who have children (of all ages) with behavioral issues, such as negative attitude, truancy, drug and/or alcohol abuse, running away, and verbal and physical abuse. Their program works with parents and youth, offering support and guidance, to improve communication, promote structure and cooperation in the home, and achieve the goal of family preservation. Meetings are run by volunteers.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo
Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY has been protecting, strengthening and empowering the people of WNY since 1923. Today, we offer the most comprehensive services of any human service organization serving all eight counties in WNY. Most importantly, we serve those in need and those who are most vulnerable - children, adults, older adults and families - without regard to religion, race or age. Our goal is optimum emotional, mental and physical health for all. We're known for the expertise and compassion of our staff, a continued focus on positive outcomes and the ability to change as needs change. Assistance is provided in the following areas: basic needs, counseling and mental health, domestic violence, education and job skills, family and parent resources, foster care and adoption, immigration, older adults, school based services, substance abuse and treatment.
CCM Youth Services
Helping young people face the challenges of growing up in today's world. Our counselors have been trained, educated and supervised in the area of child/adolescent development, are all NYS licensed counselors and social workers, reach beyond the traditional patient/counselor relationship. CCM youth counselors encompass the child/adolescent community and provide: family counseling, parenting help, school advocacy, linkage to medical providers and community services, specialized foster/adoption services by TBRI (Trust Based Relational Interventions) professionally trained staff. Services offered: individual counseling, family counseling, case management services (school advocacy), parental support/education/encouragement, workshops/seminars, group counseling/topic oriented psycho-educational programs for children/teens. The youth counselors at CCM approach therapy in creative ways using music, foosball, art and other kid-friendly ways to enhance the counseling process. With youth, sitting in a chair is often not the best approach when dealing with difficult problems. Our therapists are encouraged to be creative and casual. CCM offices are outfitted with crafts, games and ever-growing list of new tools available to our therapists. The Clarence office has a separate play room which is often reserved for doing activities that require extra space. Our venues are designed to provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Child & Adolescent Treatment Services (CATS)
CATS has a proven history of providing outstanding comprehensive clinic treatment services for children, adolescents and their families who are struggling with disruptive behavior; mood, anxiety, sleep or eating disorders; or adjustment, personality or other severe emotional disorders. CATS has been serving children with serious behavioral and emotional problems and their families since 1937. The child-friendly services at CATS strengthen families by helping them improve communication and develop healthy problem-solving skills. They also promote improvements in academics, positive choices and behaviors. Treatment programs and services include: assessment and treatment planning, individual counseling, family counseling, group treatment, specialized treatment for sexual victimization, specialized treatment for self-harming behaviors, psychiatric consultation, medication prescription and monitoring, psychological consultation.
Child and Family Services
Child & Family Services recognizes that healthy families are the building blocks of our community. The outpatient mental health clinic provides counseling and psychiatric services in a confidential and supportive environment. We provide a range of clinical services for children and adults. Personalized treatment plans are developed to address the needs of each individual; length of treatment, frequency of appointments and goals of therapy are based on the specific strengths and needs of each client. Our multidisciplinary team of behavioral health professionals includes licensed counselors, a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed practical nurses. Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances are accepted forms of payment. Walk-ins are accepted or individuals can call for an intake appointment. Morning, afternoon, and evening appointments are available. Licensed counselors provide support in addressing: trauma, depression, anger management difficulties, school difficulties, attachment disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, sexually abusive behaviors, self-abuse, suicidal thoughts and actions, grief and loss, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder. Therapists are skilled in a number of areas, including providing trauma informed care, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), anger management therapy, treatment for youth and young adults that have displayed sexually abusive behaviors, and therapy for anyone impacted by abuse.
Clarence Community Food Pantry
The Clarence Community Food Pantry was started in 1980 by Nancy May to assist less fortunate local families. The pantry is located at Clarence Presbyterian Church and serves residents of Clarence, Clarence Center, Town of Clarence and the Clarence School District. Donations are received Mondays, 9 am - 2 pm or by appointment. ccp@clarencepresby.org
Empower Girls Buffalo
Empower Girls Buffalo is a comprehensive program that incorporates various counseling-based activities to "empower" all girls to be healthy inside and out. The goal of Empower Girls Buffalo is to provide and build on essential life skills to help girls grow socially, emotionally, and to become strong, confident, healthy young women. Our guiding principle is Embrace the Positive. Six week workshops will focus on the following activities: exercise appreciation, all about me, nutrition education, relaxation station, and girl talk. Empower Girls Buffalo is an opportunity for girls to learn about: themselves and their positive qualities, healthy social relationships, friendships, self-respect, goal setting, decision making, coping skills, stress relief, benefits of exercise, body image, nutrition education, power of positive thinking.
EPIC - Every Person Influences Children
Helping families, schools, and communities raise children to become responsible and successful adults. We value all children and their right to a strong start and successful future. We value families and their primary influence on a child's development. We value our partnerships with educators, community organizations, and funders as we work together to support children and families. We value professionalism and will act with integrity, respect, and honesty at all times. We value diversity and are committed to inclusiveness across all levels of our organization. We value excellence in all we do. We value our team who deliver's EPIC's mission with passion, knowledge and skill.
Families' Child Advocacy Network
Is an independent, non-profit organization designed for and created by family members for the purpose of ensuring access to needed support, information, and services to all families in Erie County raising children with emotional, behavioral and/or social challenges. Our Family Support Specialists and Advocates can assist you with: Wraparound services, juvenile justice, education challenges, navigating the system of care.
Family Help Center
The Family Help Center is a "home away from Home" for many children and parents. The Center offers a comfortable and nurturing environment for group interaction, child care programming, parent training sessions, family socials and a variety of other functions. We are dedicated to the prevention and interruption of child abuse and neglect in all of its forms - physical, emotional and sexual. Because the maltreatment of children transcends class, gender, race, ethnic and religious backgrounds, there are no eligibility requirements. To ensure the safety of every child, families are never charged a fee for any service we provide, with the exception of our Childcare Center. 24-hour family helpline: 892-2172
Greater Buffalo Food Allergy Alliance
The mission of this local support group is to share information, tips, and experiences to ease the challenges of living with food allergies, as well as raise the awareness in the community. Meets the 3rd Monday of January, March, May, July, September, and November 7 pm - 9 pm.
Jewish Family Services
We provide counseling and social services support to WNY individuals and families in the interest of doing what is right and good. Our vision for social justice extends to all - regardless of religious belief, ethnicity, gender identity or economic status.
Kids Escaping Drugs
To raise, manage and distribute funds for the development and support of facilities, community education, and advocacy programs for adolescents and their families in Western New York suffering from alcohol and drug dependency/addiction.
Mental Health Association
Facing the reality of having a child with significant emotional and/or behavioral challenges is often an overwhelming experience for families. Thrust into unfamiliar territory, families quickly begin to feel lost and isolated. Child and Family Support programs (CFSP) are peer run, offers a variety of services to include support, advocacy, and education to those who have a family member suffering from a mental illness. Advocates working in the program have a child or family member diagnosed with a mental illness. CFSP helps the child's caretaker learn necessary skills and information to effectively advocate for their family. Services are aimed at helping families to maintain their children in the most appropriate, yet least restrictive environment.
New Direction
Making a positive impact. That's what New Directions is all about. We help youth overcome emotional, behavioral, and educational issues though a variety of services - each one using our effective treatment philosophy. We nurture. We encourage. We challenge. We empower not only the child, but the whole family. And we provide the skills needed to live more productive and fulfilling lives.
Partnership for Drug Free Kids
A 2015 national study determined 1 in 20 adolescents and 1 in 6 young adults were classified to be in nee of substance abuse treatment. Prescription medicines are now the most commonly abused drugs among 12-13 year-olds. More Americans dies from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription painkillers. This national helpline helps parents take effective action before their child's drug use or drinking reaches a point where treatment is required. Research has shown that substance abuse problems can be reduced by intervening early. Encouraging parents to take immediate action is therefore a main goal of the helpline's team of parent support specialists who offer expert advice to help parents plan a course of action and can supply a list of local resources or treatment facilities. Their website is an excellent on-estop shop resource where you can educate yourself about specific drugs, teen behavior, and ways to talk to your kids to prevent abuse from ever happening in the first place.
Toll free billingual helpline for parents of kids using drugs or drinking: 2-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373) - speak to a parent specialist M-F 9am - 5pm EST
Spectrum Health and Human Services
Offers individualized and meaningful opportunities of hope, empowerment and support to achieve self-defined improvements in your quality of life. We believe a gratifying life is attainable for everyone and that this life exists beyond the issues of mental health and substance abuse. Beyond our experience and training - we are a group of people who care about you and your loved ones. We respectfully partner with adults, children and families, as they recover from behavioral, emotional, mental health and/or substance abuse-related disorders.
Storm Clouds and Rainbows
Support group for children and teens ages 7-17 and their caregivers to help them cope with the death of a loved one. This 8-week support group offers children and teens the opportunity to connect with the respective peer groups in a safe and supportive environment as they learn how to identify their emotions, communicate with key supports, cope with loss, and memorialize loved ones. Parents/caregivers connect separately to focus on the developmental needs of their children and to work through their own grief process within a supportive group dynamic. (716) 836-6460
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County fosters a community of hopefulness, safety, and shared responsibility to prevent suicide and suicide attempts by increasing awareness, promoting resiliency and facilitating access to resources.
The Summit Center
Pediatric behavioral health is important. If your child is going through a tough time, acting out, or feeling overly worried or fearful, we can help by providing assessment and brief, effective interventions. While The Summit Center is widely-known as a premiere center for children and adults with disabilities, we also provide services for typically-developing children. The Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic at The Summit Center offers short-term interventions to families struggling with common childhood problems including depression, anxiety, behavior challenges, or concerns related to ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. Providing behavioral therapy for children is just one of our focus areas. Our professionals can also help with feeding, sleeping and toileting difficulties. Our clinical team is comprised of licensed psychologists with specialized training in the treatment of childhood problems. To help ensure coordinated care, Summit providers maintain contact with referring physicians providing them with regular treatment summaries.