S.T.A.R. (Support, Training, and Respite)
Community Division
S.T.A.R. (Support, Training, and Respite)
Contact
To register for a parent program, please give us a call.
Amherst, NY 14226
STAR (Support, Training, and Respite)
The Summit Center can provide you with the tools and training you need to best support your family.
The Summit Center’s S.T.A.R. Training, funded by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), offers parents and caregivers new strategies to manage various stages of your child’s life. Sessions are conducted by members of The Summit Center’s professional staff who have significant background, training, and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. For those who participate, virtual respite opportunities may be available at a later date.
Eligibility: All sessions are open at no cost to those who are OPWDD eligible. Those with Self Direction must include this in their budget. To maintain eligibility for this program, you must attend a minimum of one session every six months.
To register: Call Laurlen Coker, Coordinator of Community Services, or Ashlee Bronson, Assistant Director of Community Services, at 716-629-3400. For virtual sessions, a link to the training will be emailed to you after you are registered. Please note that the registration/approval process may take up to five days to complete. Timeframe for approval through Self Direction may vary. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process prior to each session you wish to attend.
Added bonus for those who attend ONE session: One-on-one parent training to help overcome specific challenges
Every family is different, and every child has different challenges. Parents/caregivers who participate in ONE S.T.A.R. Training session, will receive additional one-on-one training in your home or in the community. A trained Summit staff member will teach you the skills to gain the confidence you need to help your child become more independent. We can teach you how to implement an activity schedule, facilitate interaction among siblings, get your child to accept “no” or “not right now” for an answer, use the toilet, sleep in their own bed, or eat meals with the family. We’re here to support you every step of the way, to better understand the barriers to success and develop a plan that works. With the right tools, you’ll be successful in no time (and so will your child)!
Download our calendar of scheduled training sessions and determine which one is best for you.
- To register: View flyer for contact information.
Eligibility
Here's how to determine your eligibility:
- Must be eligible under the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
- Those with Self Direction must include this in their budget.
- To maintain eligibility for this program, you must attend a minimum of one session every six months.
Scheduled Trainings
Click here to download the flyer to see available training.
Behavior Basics Saturday, May 20, 2023 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on basic proactive strategies to help caregivers reduce challenging behaviors that their children may exhibit. Topics will include reinforcement of positive behaviors, simple communication strategies, and other behavioral tips and techniques.
Presenter: Nicole Conte, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Managing Challenging Behaviors Saturday, June 3, 2023 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on teaching caregivers where challenging behaviors typically come from, what challenging behaviors mean, as well as some simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to decrease challenging behaviors and build skills.
Presenter: Nicole Conte, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Communication Saturday, June 17, 2023 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual session
This training will discuss the basics of functional communication, how to encourage communication, promote communication independence, and capitalize on naturalistic teaching opportunities.
Presenter: Angela Deoki, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Care Notebooks Saturday, July 15, 2023 10a.m. – 12 p.m.
In-person session 75 Pineview Drive Suite 200, Amherst 14228. Limited respite spots available.
This training will focus on providing ideas to caregivers on different ways to organize important information/paperwork. Caregivers will learn why it is important to have different types of documentation saved and organized, for different milestones in a person’s life.
Presenter: Angela Deoki, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Communication Wednesday, July 19, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will discuss the basics of functional communication, how to encourage communication, promote communication independence, and capitalize on naturalistic teaching opportunities.
Presenter: Rebecca Meyer, Intake Specialist – Behavior Support
Toileting Saturday, August 5, 2023 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
In-person session 75 Pineview Drive Suite 200, Amherst 14228. Limited respite spots available.
Many children, regardless of a developmental disability, can struggle with aspects of Toileting. This training will identify the challenges that caregivers typically face as well as teach simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to encourage skill building in this area.
Presenter: Lori Simmons, Supervising Clinician – Behavior Support
Toileting Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual session
Many children, regardless of a developmental disability, can struggle with aspects of Toileting. This training will identify the challenges that caregivers typically face as well as teach simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to encourage skill building in this area.
Presenter: Angela Deoki, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Managing Challenging Behaviors Tuesday, September 12, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on teaching caregivers where challenging behaviors typically come from, what challenging behaviors mean, as well as some simple strategies that focus on using reinforcement to decrease challenging behaviors and build skills.
Presenter: Angela Deoki, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support
Behavior Basics Wednesday, September 20, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual session
This training will focus on basic proactive strategies to help caregivers reduce challenging behaviors that their children may exhibit. Topics will include reinforcement of positive behaviors, simple communication strategies, and other behavioral tips and techniques.
Presenter: Nicole Conte, Behavior Consultant – Behavior Support