named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Habilitation
Provides 1:1 supports in home or community settings to develop life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and community engagement for individuals with developmental disabilities
Community Transition Services (CTS)
Provides funding for non-recurring expenses when transitioning from institutional or certified settings to independent community living
Educational Services
Offers special education services with compliance focus on FERPA, data privacy, and student rights under PPRA
Family Support Services (FSS)
Offers funding for OPWDD-approved supports for individuals living at home with family
Respite Services
Offers temporary relief for families through hourly, site-based, and self-directed respite options including after-school and Saturday programs
Self-Directed Services
Includes Fiscal Intermediary, Support Broker, Self-Hire, and budget management supports enabling individuals to manage their own care teams and services
Vocational Services
Provides pre-vocational training, job coaching, and supported employment for adults with disabilities seeking employment
activities · 13 groups
What they do
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Healthcare Compliance and Ethics Programs 2 activities
- Compliance and staff training programsImplements a Corporate Compliance Program that includes policy development, staff training, audits, and investigations. Trains all staff on HIPAA and HITECH regulations and monitors training effectiveness through audits.
- Incident management and quality assuranceImplements incident management practices including timely reporting, recording, investigation, review, and follow-up to enhance quality of care and protect individuals from abuse and neglect. Prohibits retaliation against those who report incidents or cooperate with investigations.
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Independent living and housing supportSupports adults with developmental disabilities in achieving independent living through monthly rental subsidies, one-time transition stipends for furniture and household items, and community-based housing in private or certified settings.
- Residential services for individuals with developmental disabilitiesProvides community-based residential living opportunities in apartment, small home, and large home settings across Erie and Chautauqua counties for individuals with developmental and similar disabilities, including specialty supports such as nursing, nutrition, behavior management, and care for the medically frail and multiply disabled. Supports residents in achieving employment, independence, life goals, and social engagement.
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Program Monitoring & Evaluation 1 activity
- Client and family engagement and feedback systemsRoutinely collects feedback from individuals and families through Customer Satisfaction Surveys and Quality of Life Visits to inform service improvements and ensure person-centered care.
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Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
- Clinical and therapy servicesDelivers physical therapy, speech-language pathology, behavioral health care, and counseling services to individuals with developmental or acquired disabilities. Services include evaluations, individualized treatment programs, assistive technology assessments, and specialized support for communication, swallowing, mobility, and emotional well-being.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Day services and community integration programsOperates day services programs that support meaningful daily participation and community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities, including personalized community connection, skill-building, and independent living supports delivered in homes or community settings.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Educational and specialized instructional servicesProvides specialized educational services for students with developmental disabilities, including therapy services delivered by integrated clinical teams. Also offers technology training in photography, photo editing, movie making, internet safety, and software use, with adapted equipment and individualized instruction.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Emergency and supplemental financial assistanceProvides emergency and supplemental funding to individuals with developmental disabilities in Western New York to meet unaffordable needs.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Employment and vocational support servicesProvides person-centered vocational planning, job coaching, training, workplace accommodations, and ongoing employment support for adults with developmental disabilities to promote workforce integration and independence.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Outreach and service coordinationConducts outreach to build relationships with individuals, families, local businesses, and agencies. Provides an online application process for OPWDD Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver intake after service authorization.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Recreational and expressive arts programsProvides leisure and recreational activities for children and young adults with disabilities aged 5 to 21, including integration opportunities for children under 12 into day care programs. Operates iXpress, an expressive arts program offering painting, sculpting, writing, music, acting, and photography with adaptive equipment and individualized support to foster personal inspiration and self-identity.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Respite care programsOffers a range of respite services including hourly in-home respite care, site-based social respite programs for individuals aged 5 and up, after-school programs in Cheektowaga, small-group Saturday programs in Cheektowaga and Fredonia for ages 15–60, and support for families of children and adults with developmental disabilities to provide temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities.
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Student and User Data Privacy & Security 1 activity
- Student data privacy and education rightsIssues summaries of parents' rights related to student data privacy and security, provides access to education records within 45 days of request, allows requests for amendments to records, designates directory information, and offers an annual opt-out mechanism for its disclosure.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Technology and information systems managementUses Therap as an integrated documentation and communication system in OPWDD-funded operations to reduce paper use and streamline information management. Provides real-time technical assistance and collaboration with managers in response to potential incidents.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.54M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$1.55M101%
Investment income$-12K-1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.42M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$376K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$6.90M
Cash$1.70M
Investments$0
Liabilities$574K
Net assets$6.33M
Liquid reserves14.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENEE FILIP | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 1 | $383K |
| JENNIFER BALL | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 1 | $260K |
| MELISSA ROTH | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFI | 1 | $248K |
| CARIE SPENCE | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 1 | $207K |
board members · 4
- BENJAMIN BURGE — CHAIRPERSON
- DANIEL GEARY — TREASURER
- ELIZABETH KELLER — VICE CHAIRPERSON
- KRISTIN KNIGHT — SECRETARY
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- ACCESS-VR Partner — Provides on-site evaluations to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment or continuing education.
- ASPIRE OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC Network — Subordinate organization under the managerial control of ASPIRE OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC, which performs central managerial functions and control.
- Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation Government — Government partner providing funding for Supported Employment and related vocational services.
- Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Inc. Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- Children's Hospital Partner — Collaborated on therapeutic and medical services for children, including transportation coordination and shared clinic operations.
- Enterprise Holdings Foundation Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- Family Policy Compliance Office Government — Complies with FERPA requirements administered by this U.S. Department of Education office.
- Junior League of Buffalo Partner — Provided early support in forming the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western New York and donated two station wagons for transporting children to medical services.
- KeyBank Foundation Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- KeyBank NA Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- NYS Justice Center Government — State agency to which incident reports are made and with which investigations are coordinated.
- National Fuel Gas Company Foundation Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- National Institutes of Health Government — Source cited for definition of respite care.
- New York State Education Department Government — Works with NYSED on data privacy regulations and follows guidance from the Chief Privacy Officer.
- Niagara Vocational Rehabilitation Center Partner — Jointly purchased a warehouse building at 100 Leroy in 1961 to expand preschool, vocational rehabilitation, and day care programs.
- Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Primary government agency funding and approving services including Community Habilitation, Pre-Vocational, and Supported Employment programs.
- Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Provides OPWDD-certified living arrangements
- Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — State oversight agency involved in incident reporting and investigation processes.
- Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Works with OPWDD on the Front Door process and authorization for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver services.
- QA/QI Division Partner — Internal division serving as the central hub for compliance activities, receiving input from staff, individuals served, families, and community members.
- Rich Family Foundation Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- The Frank L. Ciminelli Family Foundation Partner — Financial supporter of Aspire of WNY
- state oversight agencies Government — State agencies that govern Aspire of WNY’s incident management policies and practices.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Holistic Support Model with Integrated Housingmethodology: holistic_support_housingBy providing housing as part of a comprehensive support system, we promote health, safety, and empowerment because stable, person-centered living environments are foundational to long-term well-being for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
- Person-Centered Planning and Self-Directed Caremethodology: person_centered_planningBy empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to make personal choices and direct their own service plans, we improve independence and quality of life because autonomy fosters dignity, engagement, and sustainable outcomes.
- Therapeutic Arts with Identity Affirmationmethodology: therapeutic_arts_integrationBy integrating therapeutic support into arts programming and centering artistic identity, we enhance self-worth and full participation because creative expression is a core pathway to dignity and personal fulfillment for individuals with developmental disabilities.