irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $12.32MEDUCATION PROGRAM: THE ARC ERIE COUNTY NEW YORK PROVIDES MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE SERVICES BY THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION.
- #2 $8.71MCOMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND HABILITATIVE SERVICE: COMMUNITY HABILITATION SERVICES FOCUS ON TEACHING THE SKILLS NEEDED TO HELP A PERSON BECOME AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY. DAY HABILITATION PROVIDES ENGAGING, CREATIVE, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR ADULTS. THIS SERVICE IS IDEAL FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SUPPORTS INCLUDING NURSING, MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION AND BEHAVIORAL ASSISTANCE. PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE OPTION OF JOINING A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ART, MUSIC, EXERCISE, OR VENTURING OFF TO VISIT THE MANY GREAT TREASURES WE HAVE IN WESTERN NEW YORK INCLUDING PARKS AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES.RESPITE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN INDIVIDUAL'S HOMES, IN THE COMMUNITY AND SITE-BASED AND ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY, SHORT-TERM RELIEF FOR FAMILIES AND CARE PROVIDERS TO ENABLE THEM A BREAK FROM CONSTANT, INTENSIVE PARTICIPANT CARE AND SUPERVISION.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Black Water Acres
Future four-season accessible farm site in Alden, NY offering adaptive workforce training, horticulture, outdoor recreation, and habilitative services.
Community Supports and Habilitative Services
Provides community habilitation, day habilitation, and respite services to support independence and skill development for individuals of all ages in home and community settings.
Day Habilitation Without Walls (WOW)
Person-centered community program for adults that emphasizes life skills development, volunteering, and social engagement through activities outside of facility settings.
Preschool Education Program
Provides specialized educational and therapeutic services for children ages 3-5 with developmental disabilities through state-approved evaluations and individualized programming at the Green Acres location.
Residential Services
Operates 27 Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs) and supportive apartments throughout Erie County, enabling individuals to live in the least restrictive, peer-supported environments.
School Age Program
Offers special education and related therapeutic services for students aged 5-22 with disabilities at the Maryvale site, using evidence-based curricula and state-of-the-art technology.
Workforce Training Center
Offers vocational training in hospitality, culinary arts, janitorial services, horticulture, and retail through hands-on programs designed to prepare individuals for competitive employment.
activities · 15 groups
What they do
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Community and home-based habilitation servicesProvides one-on-one and group-based community habilitation services to teach daily living skills, transportation use, self-advocacy, and social development; delivers individualized in-home and community-based support for children and youth with developmental, medical, or mental health needs, including respite and caregiver support across Erie County.
- Residential support for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOperates 27 Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs) and supported apartments across Erie County that provide housing with medical and behavioral supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Day Habilitation Services 2 activities
- Person-centered community programs for adultsOffers individualized community integration and skill-building in money management, communication, travel training, and socialization through recreational activities and volunteering; includes co-created personalized calendars based on individual interests and choices for adults with developmental disabilities.
- Site-based day habilitation servicesProvides structured day habilitation programs for adults with developmental disabilities at three renovated locations in Erie County, including activities in art, music, exercise, and community outings.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- After-school and school break programmingOffers after-school, holiday, and summer break programming for students aged 5–22 with developmental disabilities across multiple school districts including Maryvale, Williamsville, West Seneca, Buffalo, and Alden.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Art education and creative expression programsOffers an Art Education Suite that supports creative expression and provides training in establishing oneself as a professional artist through sole proprietorship; includes programming for aspiring artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
- Beekeeping and agricultural skills trainingProvides skill-based instruction in beekeeping and honey harvesting at Black Water Acres Farm in Alden, NY.
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Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
- Clinical therapy servicesOperates three clinical service locations in Williamsville, Buffalo, and Hamburg, providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental health counseling tailored to individuals with developmental disabilities, including evaluations, treatment plans, and recommendations for adaptive equipment.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Employment and workforce development servicesProvides pre-employment services including paid employment, volunteerism, and career discovery; offers youth transition services, work readiness training, job placement, and supported employment in integrated settings; operates a specialized workforce training center at 2643 Main Street in Buffalo.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- In-home respite careProvides in-home respite care for families of individuals with developmental disabilities across Erie County, allowing caregivers temporary relief while staff supervise; also offers after-program respite services for adults with developmental disabilities in Buffalo, Williamsville, Hamburg, and Alden.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Insight newspaper publicationProduces and publishes a newspaper titled _Insight_ to support writing, expressive thought, and journalistic skills among participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Music education and performance programsDelivers a Music Education Suite that builds cognitive, language, motor, and emotional skills through composition, songwriting, arrangement, mixing, mastering, and creative independence; offers one-on-one lessons, group lessons, and community performances as standalone or integrated programming.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Parent training and peer supportOffers home-based training and peer support for parents with developmental disabilities in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and surrounding areas—expanding to Alden—covering topics such as nutrition, behavior support, and self-advocacy.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Specialized education and therapy for children with developmental disabilitiesProvides comprehensive educational and therapeutic services for children ages 3–22 with developmental disabilities at dedicated sites including Green Acres and Maryvale; offers preschool activities in art, music, and physical education, and conducts multidisciplinary evaluations as an NYSED-approved provider contracted by local counties.
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Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
- Summer and recreational programsOperates a full-day summer program offering field trips, sports, arts, and recreation for individuals with developmental disabilities in Buffalo and surrounding areas, with expansion to Alden; also organizes community-based recreational activities such as movies, concerts, festivals, and dining with transportation provided.
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Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
- Youth health and character development programmingProvides health education, pregnancy prevention, and character-building programming for teenagers with developmental disabilities in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and surrounding areas, with expansion planned to Alden.
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Local Food Market Operation 1 activity
- mARCet community market programOperates mARCet, a community market experience where participants apply retail and customer service skills in a professional setting.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$65.64M
Contributions & grants$10.27M16%
Program service revenue$50.83M77%
Investment income$322K0%
Other revenue$4.21M
expenses
Total expenses$53.99M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$42.76M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$43.95M
Cash$3.71M
Investments$4.88M
Liabilities$8.92M
Net assets$35.03M
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +17.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS DIGESARE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $261K |
| LISSA CARROLL | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFIC | 40 | $160K |
| MICHELLE CORDERO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $150K |
| LORI BRIEN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $148K |
| JAMES OTIS | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TE | 40 | $115K |
| PETER SCHMITT | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 40 | $109K |
| BRYAN DEVANS | DIRECTOR VOCATIONAL/EMPLOYMENT SERVICES | 40 | $108K |
| LINDA MALKIEWICZ | PRINCIPAL | 40 | $107K |
board members · 13
- AMY THEW — ASSISTANT TREASURER
- BRIAN F ATTEA ESQ — DIRECTOR
- DAVID SHUTE — DIRECTOR
- DR ANDREW COVEY — DIRECTOR
- ERIC GALDYS — DIRECTOR
- GLEN WETZL — DIRECTOR
- HANNAH BRECHER — DIRECTOR
- KEVIN O'LEARY — VICE CHAIRMAN
- KYLE CAVALIERI — DIRECTOR
- MOLLY DAETSCH HUGAR — TREASURER
- PATRICK YOUNG — CHAIRMAN
- PETER J MARTIN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- VERONICA KOLLER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Alden School District Partner — Provides after-school and summer programming for students with developmental disabilities, with expansion of additional services planned.
- Aspire of WNY, Inc. Government — Medical Director of Aspire of WNY, Inc. authorizes clinical services alongside primary care providers.
- Black Water Acres Partner — Collaborative site offering adaptive workforce training, outdoor recreation, and habilitative services.
- Black Water Acres Partner — Future program site in Alden, NY offering adaptive workforce training, horticulture, and habilitative services.
- Black Water Acres Farm Partner — Site for horticulture and beekeeping skill-based instruction in Alden, NY.
- Buffalo City School District Partner — Provides after-school and break programming aligned with the district's calendar for students with developmental disabilities.
- Committee on Special Education Government — Collaborates with school district Committees on Special Education to determine eligibility for educational services.
- Developmental Disability Regional Office Government — Receives referrals for Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRA) placements.
- Maryvale School District Partner — Offers after-school services for students with developmental disabilities in alignment with district calendar.
- NFTA Partner — Collaborates with NFTA to facilitate public transportation access for participants at the Main Street, Buffalo location.
- New York State Education Department Government — Approved provider of multidisciplinary evaluations for preschool-aged children through NYSED.
- OPWDD Government — Provides financial assistance for rental subsidies and transition to independent living for income-eligible individuals.
- The Arc Erie County New York Network — Local chapter of The Arc New York state network, indicating affiliation with a larger disability advocacy and service organization.
- The Arc Erie County New York Partner — Provides employment services under the name The Arc Erie County New York, indicating operational alignment with the parent organization.
- West Seneca School District Partner — Provides after-school programming for students with developmental disabilities aligned with district calendar.
- Williamsville School District Partner — Offers after-school and respite services for students and adults with developmental disabilities in coordination with district schedules.
strategies · 4
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.
- Community-Integrated Habilitationmethodology: community_habilitationBy delivering day habilitation and skill-building services in natural, community-based settings, we promote functional independence and social integration because real-world contexts enhance learning, generalization of skills, and community belonging.
- Individualized Employment Pathway Modelmethodology: individualized_employmentBy aligning employment supports with personal goals through individualized planning and phased transitions, we increase long-term workforce entry and job retention because readiness is built progressively and matched to individual aspirations.
- Person-Centered, Holistic Care Modelmethodology: person-centered_careBy using a person-centered, holistic, and collaborative approach in clinical and support services, we improve outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities because care is tailored to individual needs, goals, and relationships, fostering engagement and autonomy.
- Strengths-Based Developmental Approachmethodology: strengths_based_developmentBy using child-led, relationship-focused methods like Greenspan Floortime and interest-based engagement, we support social, emotional, and cognitive development because meaningful interactions and intrinsic motivation drive developmental progress.