irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10.12MSUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC.'S OFFERS MANY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS INCLUDING: A WOMENS RESIDENCE FOR WOMEN OR MOTHERS BATTLING A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER; A RECOVERY COMMUNITY TO GIVE PEOPLE IN ALL STAGES OF RECOVERY AND THEIR FAMILIES A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT TO RECLAIM THEIR LIVES; HOUSING ASSISTANCE; JAIL AND COURT SERVICES AS WELL AS AN OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAM WHICH DISPENSES METHADONE TO ASSIST THOSE IN RECOVERY FROM OPIOID DEPENDENCY.
- #2 $5.72MCARE COORDINATION: BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC. HAS BOTH AN ADULT AND CHILDRENS HEALTH HOME, WHICH PROVIDE FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO QUALIFIED MEDICAID RECIPIENTS TO ENSURE THEIR MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE NEEDS ARE BEING MET THROUGH THE USE OF PERSONALIZED CARE PLANS. HOME HEALTH SERVICES ENSURE THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S CARE IS WORKING WELL TOGETHER AND SHARING THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT IN SUPPORTING RECOVERY.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center
24/7 crisis stabilization center in Buffalo, NY offering short-term supportive care for up to 23 hours 59 minutes to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Services include voluntary emotional and behavioral support, medication support, psychosocial assessments, and care coordination.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC)
Outpatient clinics offering integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, targeted case management, peer services, and health monitoring with same-day access based on risk assessment.
Health Home Care Coordination
Free, comprehensive care management services for Medicaid-eligible individuals with chronic conditions. Includes personalized care planning, care coordination, health promotion, and transitional care support for adults and children.
Recovery Community Center
Peer-run recovery community offering peer-led groups, wellness activities, mindfulness, creative expression, and one-on-one peer support. Hosts workshops on PTSD, problem gambling, and self-care, and serves as a safe space for individuals at all stages of recovery and their families.
Women’s Residence for Substance Use Recovery
Residential program for women or mothers battling substance use disorders, providing housing assistance and recovery support services.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
-
Medicaid Health Home Care Coordination 2 activities
- Deliver person-centered care coordination and comprehensive care managementProvides comprehensive care management, care coordination, and transitional care services through dedicated care managers, including hospital visits during discharge and connections to support services in housing, legal assistance, and community engagement.
- Operate health homes for Medicaid recipientsOperates adult and children's health homes that provide free, comprehensive care management services to qualified Medicaid recipients using personalized care plans to coordinate medical, mental health, and substance abuse care.
-
-
Outpatient Mental Health Clinic Services 2 activities
- Operate outpatient clinics for integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatmentProvides fully integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment through 14 outpatient clinics, including health assessment and monitoring, psychiatric rehabilitation, targeted case management, and peer services. Clinics operate as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) integrating behavioral and physical health care using evidence-based practices.
- Provide same-day access to behavioral health services based on risk assessmentAll clinics offer same-day appointments for behavioral health services, with scheduling determined by clinical risk assessment to ensure immediate access to care.
-
-
Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
- Deliver problem gambling education and support servicesProvides ongoing Problem Gambling 101 education sessions to reduce stigma and offer resources for individuals affected by gambling-related harm.
-
-
Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Facilitate community engagement and volunteer involvementOffers opportunities for community engagement through sponsorships, event collaborations, and volunteer involvement.
-
-
Outpatient Substance Use Treatment 1 activity
- Operate specialized substance use disorder treatment programsProvides substance use disorder treatment programs including an opioid treatment program dispensing methadone, recovery community support, housing assistance, jail and court services, and a women's residence for women or mothers.
-
-
Mobile Mental Health Crisis Intervention 1 activity
- Provide mobile and community-based behavioral health servicesDelivers mobile mental health and substance use disorder services, homeless outreach, housing support, education and vocational programs, and community and school-based services, including operation of a best practice model Child Advocacy Center.
-
-
Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Provide peer-led recovery support and wellness programmingOffers peer-led support groups, wellness activities, mindfulness sessions, creative expression, movement, recovery discussions, and one-on-one peer support at the Recovery Community Center, including special events such as the Recovery Community Wellness BBQ and PTSD Share & Self-Care Workshops.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Provide short-term crisis stabilization careProvided short-term crisis stabilization care to 162 individuals since January 2026.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$82.95M
Contributions & grants$28.84M35%
Program service revenue$54.10M65%
Investment income$199K0%
Other revenue$-189K
expenses
Total expenses$85.07M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$62.04M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$110.35M
Cash$563K
Investments$0
Liabilities$103.02M
Net assets$7.33M
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH WOIKE | PRESIDENT/CEO | 35 | $476K |
| JOSEPH C DISTASIO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $340K |
| JENINE PANER-BANSI | DIRECTOR OF ADDICTION MEDICINE | 35 | $331K |
| ALEXANDRA MNUSKIN | PHYSICIAN | 35 | $291K |
| GURSHARON NIJJAR | MEDICAL DIRECTOR | 40 | $283K |
| JULIA RINGEL | PSYCHIATRIST | 35 | $249K |
| SRIDHAR NILAM | PSYCHIATRIST | 30 | $237K |
board members · 10
- ABIGAIL UNGER — DIRECTOR
- ADAM KOEHN — DIRECTOR
- ANETTA HENDERSHOT — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINE ELLINGTON-ROWE — DIRECTOR
- EMRY MOORE — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW WHITEHEAD — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA CARRINGTON ESQ — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD BISESI — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT L ROBINSON II — DIRECTOR
- ROBIN WOLFGANG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center Partner — Collaborates with BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center to provide crisis services.
- BestSelf Behavioral Health Network — Employer of board members Elizabeth Woike, Steve Walters, Therese Fuerst, and Jean Cropp affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Buffalo Bills Partner — Employer of board members Neal McMullen and Kate Schrum affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Catholic Health Partner — Employer of board member Dorothy Shuldman affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Government — Participates in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) pilot program to provide comprehensive, integrated behavioral health care.
- Children’s Scholarship Fund Partner — Employer of board member Amy Popadick affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- EmCo Woodworking Partner — Employer of board member John Miller affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Erie County Office of Mental Health Government — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- Fourth Form Consulting Partner — Employer of board member Bonnie Cywinski affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Grit N Grace Partner — Collaborated with Grit N Grace to host a PTSD Share & Self-Care Workshop at the Recovery Community Center.
- Howard Hanna Partner — Employer of board member Matthew Whitehead affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- NFTA Partner — Employer of board member Helen Tederous affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- NYS Department of Education Government — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports Government — Licenses and partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- NYS Office of Children and Family Services Government — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- NYS Office of Mental Health Government — Licenses and partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- NYS Office of Victim Services Government — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- PCI Partner — Employer of board member Mark Gaulin affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
- Patrick P. Lee Foundation Partner — Supported the development and operation of the BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Government — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- United Way Funder — Partially funds BestSelf Behavioral Health services.
- West Herr Partner — Employer of board member Annette Smith affiliated with BestSelf Foundation Board
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.
- Family-Centered and Community-Engaged Caremethodology: family_centered_community_engagementBy engaging families, schools, and community partners as core supports in treatment, the organization promotes lasting well-being because recovery is strengthened through trusted social networks and aligned community systems.
- Integrated Whole-Person Caremethodology: whole_person_careBy integrating behavioral and physical health services within outpatient settings using evidence-based practices, the organization improves overall health outcomes because treating the full spectrum of a person’s health leads to more comprehensive and sustainable recovery.
- No Wrong Door Access Modelmethodology: no_wrong_doorBy allowing any clinic location to serve as an entry point into the full continuum of care, the organization increases access and engagement because individuals can begin treatment regardless of initial uncertainty or complexity in their needs.
- Peer-Led Engagement for Recoverymethodology: peer_led_recoveryBy using peer-run, conversation-based interactions, the organization fosters connection, hope, and belonging in recovery because lived experience builds trust and reduces isolation more effectively than clinical-only models.
- Person-Centered Care with Tailored Supportmethodology: person-centered_careBy assessing individual needs and connecting clients with customized service combinations, the organization produces more effective and holistic care because it respects personal autonomy and addresses the unique circumstances of each client.