irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.43MWNYIL IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC WORKED WITH THE VARIOUS TRADITIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE A PEER SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO TAKE A PATH TO RECOVERY. MEETING'S INDIVIDUALS WHERE THEY WERE AT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WORKING INDIVIDUALLY AND OR IN GROUPS, WNYIL'S PEERS CONNECTED DOZENS OF INDIVIDUALS BATTLING ADDICTION TO THE INPATIENT AND/OR OUTPATIENT SERVICES THEY NEEDED, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING FAMILY TO FAMILY SUPPORTS. ASSISTING THE FAMILIES IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEIR LOVED ONE, AND THE VARIOUS WAYS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER'S RECOVERY AND HELP THE FAMILY WORK THROUGH THE STRESS OF ADDICTION. WNYIL WORKING WITH VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LEAD THE WAY IN CREATING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MILITARY & VETERAN PEER SPECIALIST, A NATIONAL NETWORK OF VETERANS WORKING WITH OUR MILITARY MEMBERS TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE WHILE FIGHTING A VARIETY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STRUGGLES. WNYIL PROVIDED A $10 THOUSAND GRANT TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF INCORPORATING, FILING FOR NONPROFIT STATUS, AND DEVELOPING ITS BYLAWS TO CLEARLY OUTLINE MEANS OF GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE TO THE NATION. AS OF THIS TIME THE NAMVPS IS EXPANDING ITS BOARD AND SEEKING PRIVATE FOUNDATION FUNDING TO ASSIST IN CREATING A NATIONAL REGISTRY OF MILITARY & VETERAN PEER SPECIALISTS, AN ON-LINE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE NETWORK,AND A NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO BRING THE VARIOUS PEER SPECIALISTS TOGETHER.
- #2 $2.48MDURING THIS YEAR, THE WNYIL AND ITS VARIOUS OFFICES PROVIDED OVER 7000 INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERMENT, AND CONSULTINGSERVICES TO ASSIST THE PERSON WITH A DISABILITY THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR HOME, WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND ENGAGE WITH SOCIETY AS EQUAL CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS. THE WNYIL PROGRAMMING CONTINUES TO ASSIST PEOPLE OUT OF NURSING HOMES, EMPLOYMENT READINESS SERVICES, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY CONTINUE TO REMOVE THE PHYSICAL, COMMUNICATION, AND ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM FULLY ENGAGING IN OUR COMMUNITY LIFE.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Independence Express
Transportation service offering rides for people with disabilities in Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans Counties, including both fee-for-service and no-cost options.
Independent Living Skills Training
Teaches daily living skills such as budgeting, housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and community travel to individuals with disabilities to promote independence.
Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS)
Rental subsidy program for seniors and individuals with disabilities to prevent or transition from nursing home placement by providing financial assistance for housing stability.
Pathstone Rapid Rehousing Program
HUD-funded program providing rental assistance and support for security deposits to individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.
Rapid Rehousing Transition Program (RTHP)
Provides rental subsidies and support services for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic disabilities who are homeless or at risk of institutionalization.
Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care
Provides consumer-directed home care services including CDPAP, Veteran Directed Care, and EISEP programs that allow individuals to hire and supervise their own personal assistants.
activities · 13 groups
What they do
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Employment services for individuals with disabilitiesProvides job skills training, job placement assistance, job coaching, resume writing, interview preparation, and peer support through programs like Job Club and the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) initiative. Uses customized employment approaches to develop personalized job opportunities and offers Benefits Advisors to help maintain SSI and Medicaid during employment transitions.
- Peer-directed independent living servicesOperates as a peer-directed organization that promotes civil rights and enhances quality of life for people with disabilities through advocacy, programs, and partnerships. Provides five core services: peer counseling, independent living skills training, transitioning support, community and individual advocacy, and information and referral services across Western New York.
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Medicaid Health Home Care Coordination 1 activity
- Care coordination and health management servicesProvides free care coordination and comprehensive care management for individuals with two or more chronic illnesses or those eligible under specific programs. Assigns care managers to develop personalized care plans, offering health promotion, transitional care, patient and family support, and referrals using health information technology.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Community and system-level disability advocacyEngages in individual and system-level advocacy by supporting consumers in accessing entitled benefits and services, while also working with elected officials and community leaders to advance systemic changes that improve quality of life for people with disabilities. Includes technical assistance for implementing policy changes and advocating for nursing home residents’ transition to community living.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Educational advocacy and consultationProvides educational advocacy and consultation services to students with disabilities and their families in Western New York, supporting access to appropriate educational services and accommodations.
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Veteran Support Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding support for military and veteran peer specialistsFunds the National Association of Military & Veteran Peer Specialists through a $10,000 grant to support incorporation, nonprofit status filing, and bylaws development.
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Housing assistance and rental subsidy programsProvides information and referral services for accessible housing, administers the Olmstead Housing Subsidy program, and operates the Rapid Rehousing Transition Program and Pathstone Rapid Rehousing program. These initiatives offer rental subsidies, security deposit assistance, financial support for household items, and wraparound services to prevent institutionalization and reduce homelessness among seniors and individuals with disabilities.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Information, referral, and independent living skills trainingProvides information and referral services via face-to-face or telephone contacts, offering advice on benefits applications, budgeting, financial literacy, architectural barrier removal, and communication access (including interpreter, Braille, and reading services). Teaches independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, community travel, and transportation training through peer instruction and in-home support.
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Public Benefits Navigation and Enrollment 1 activity
- Medicaid and Medicare benefits assistanceProvides free, personalized, one-on-one assistance to individuals aged 65+, blind, or disabled with applications for Medicaid (including Nursing Home, Long Term Care, Excess Income/Resource Programs, Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities), Medicare Savings Programs, and Medicaid managed care plans (HARP, MLTC, MMC, FIDA-IDD). Offers eligibility determination, benefit navigation, and appeals advocacy.
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Durable Medical Equipment Loan Programs 1 activity
- Medical equipment loan programProvides free, short-term loans of gently used medical equipment to individuals with disabilities or older adults for 90-day periods, with options for extension. Accepts donations of equipment at loan closet locations in multiple counties and operates durable medical equipment loan closets for personal and mobility needs.
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Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery Services 1 activity
- Psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery support servicesProvides Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) Services and psychosocial rehabilitation in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties to restore independent living, wellness, and social skills for adults with behavioral health needs. Offers family support and training, peer-led recovery support for addiction, and operates the Renewal Center—a peer-operated retreat for individuals in mental health pre-crisis or crisis.
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Consumer-Directed Personal Care Administration 1 activity
- Self-directed home care facilitation programsActs as an approved facilitator for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) across New York State, providing services through five Independent Living Centers in 23 counties. Also operates Veteran Directed Care in 12 counties across NY and PA, and Extended In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) in four counties and two Native Nations (St. Regis and Seneca).
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Transportation services for people with disabilitiesOperates grant and fee-based transportation services in Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans Counties, including up to six round-trip rides per month via the Family Support Services Van, unlimited NFTA bus passes for OPWDD-eligible individuals, Medicaid-funded transportation in parts of Erie and Niagara counties, and fee-for-service rides at $20 per one-way trip plus $0.50 per mile.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth peer advocacy and transition supportOperates a Youth Peer Advocacy Program that provides self-advocacy, self-empowerment, and self-efficacy skill-building for youth and young adults ages 14–28 with disabilities. Connects participants with credentialed Youth Peer Advocates who use lived experience to guide on employment, education, benefits, housing, and social engagement. Also supports youth aged 14–24 transitioning from high school to college or employment.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$61.06M
Contributions & grants$5.49M9%
Program service revenue$54.78M90%
Investment income$617K1%
Other revenue$177K
expenses
Total expenses$59.46M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$54.38M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$29.17M
Cash$12.09M
Investments$5.62M
Liabilities$7.62M
Net assets$21.56M
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +4.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS J USIAK | C.E.O. | 40 | $259K |
| SARA CARELLA | C.F.O. (FORMER) | 40 | $125K |
| STEPHANIE ORLANDO | C.O.O. | 40 | $117K |
board members · 12
- ANN L SCHERFF — TREASURER
- BARBARA GAETANO — DIRECTOR
- BOBBIE JO MEYER — DIRECTOR
- CHARLES NELLIS — DIRECTOR
- JOHN SCHAPPACHER — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH BALL — DIRECTOR
- LINDA MAKSON — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MAY — DIRECTOR
- PAUL D BEAKMAN SR — PRESIDENT
- RICHARD DREAD — VICE PRESIDENT
- SUE ANN SEHL — SECRETARY
- SYREETA DEAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Erie County Department of Mental Health Government — Contract partner for providing community reintegration and employment support services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.
- HUD Government — Funds the Pathstone Rapid Rehousing program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Independent Living Center of Erie County Partner — Loan closet location providing access to medical equipment and donation intake.
- Independent Living Center of Erie County Partner — Local agency through which housing assistance and subsidy programs are accessed and delivered.
- Independent Living of Niagara County Partner — Loan closet location providing access to medical equipment and donation intake.
- Independent Living of Niagara County Partner — Local agency providing housing assistance and administering programs in Niagara County.
- Independent Living of the Genesee Region Partner — Loan closet location providing access to medical equipment and donation intake.
- Independent Living of the Genesee Region Partner — Local agency providing housing assistance and administering programs in Genesee County.
- Medicaid Government — Enrollment in Medicaid is required for eligibility in the Health Homes care coordination program.
- Mental Health Peer Connection Partner — Agency through which general housing assistance is accessible.
- Mental Health Peer Connection Partner — Collaborates with WNYIL to deliver the Job Club program for individuals with mental health diagnoses.
- NY Connects Partner — Collaborates with NY Connects to connect individuals to long-term supports and services through a single point of access.
- NY Connects Partner — Collaborates with NY Connects to connect individuals to long-term supports and services.
- NY State ACCES-VR Government — Collaborates with WNYIL on the implementation of the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) program.
- National Association of Military & Veteran Peer Specialists Partner — Collaborated to create a national network supporting military members and veterans with behavioral health challenges; provided grant funding for organizational development.
- New York State Behavioral Health System Government — Provides CORE services within the NYS Behavioral Health System for Medicaid beneficiaries.
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Determines eligibility for Family Support Services transportation programs; serves as a key referral and funding pathway.
- Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Partner — Provides NFTA bus passes through the Family Support Services Bus program for eligible individuals.
- Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Partner — Provides services for people with developmental disabilities through collaboration with OPWDD.
- Public Partnerships LLC Partner — Statewide fiscal intermediary partner for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) facilitator services.
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 1 Government — Mandates the provision of five core services through Independent Living Centers.
- Systems Advocacy Coalition Coalition — Western New York Independent Living is a member of the statewide Systems Advocacy Coalition and collaborates on system-level advocacy efforts.
- The New York Association of Independent Living Centers Network — Collaborates with WNYIL and NY State ACCES-VR to implement the SWTCIE program across New York State.
- Tina Brown Partner — Corporate Compliance Officer responsible for handling compliance concerns
- Traditional Behavioral Health Organizations Partner — Collaborates with traditional behavioral health organizations to deliver peer supportive services for individuals recovering from addiction.
- Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Board of Directors Partner — Oversees organizational governance and strategic direction
strategies · 5
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.
- Consumer-Controlled, Person-Centered Planningmethodology: person_centered_planningBy enabling individuals to direct their own care, set personal goals, and design individualized service plans through peer-supported planning, the organization improves outcomes and autonomy because self-direction increases motivation, relevance, and sustained engagement in independent living.
- Customized Employment Through Peer-Guided Job Developmentmethodology: customized_employmentBy aligning job opportunities with the unique strengths and needs of individuals with disabilities—guided by peer advocates and customized planning—the organization increases employment success where traditional methods fail because personalized matching improves employer buy-in and worker retention.
- Housing Stability as Deinstitutionalization Strategymethodology: deinstitutionalization_through_housingBy providing rental subsidies and wraparound supports, the organization prevents institutionalization of seniors and people with disabilities because stable, community-based housing reduces reliance on congregate care and enables independent living.
- Integrated Advocacy Combining Individual and Systemic Actionmethodology: individual_and_systemic_advocacyBy combining one-on-one advocacy with broader civil rights efforts, the organization advances disability rights and access because resolving individual barriers reveals systemic patterns that can be targeted for policy and structural change.
- Peer-Directed Model for Empowerment and Systemic Changemethodology: peer_directed_modelBy centering leadership, services, and advocacy on individuals with lived disability experience, the organization increases trust, engagement, and effectiveness in support programs and drives systemic change because peer-led models promote self-determination, cultural responsiveness, and authentic representation.