Whether it’s to provide services or a lend a sympathetic ear, representatives of the Independent Living of the Genesee Region continue to meet the needs of disabled residents of Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.
“The mission of Independent Living is to assist anyone with a disability – there’s no age requirement and all of our services are free of charge,” Executive Director Rae Frank said on Friday, during the latest “Genesee Connects” informational video. “The disability can be physical, cognitive or related to mental health, and it’s something that substantially limits one or more life activities.”
Frank said she understands that many people are experiencing panic and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that ILGR employees are ready to assist “whether their disability is temporary or permanent.”
Classified as an essential business, ILGR’s staff consists of 18 people, some in the office and others working from their homes, Frank said, adding that agency staff is unable to meet with clients face-to-face during the health crisis.
Kristen Lazarony, Medicaid facilitated enroller, is one of two specialists working from home to assist elderly, blind or disabled citizens with applications and submission of required documents.
“We can do their entire applications (including marketplace applications) over the phone … and certified application counselors in the building can submit them directly for you,” she said.
Lazarony added that ILGR staff is able to transport food and pharmacy orders, and loan closet equipment and can take individuals to the store.
“We also have a Consumer Directed personal aide program,” she said. “They’re able to provide masks for all of our aides, regular prescreenings and assistance with the enrollment process. They can verify your insurance, and they’re still able to do all of that over the phone.”
She also said the agency offers employment services, adult behavior health, peer support, coping skills, resources on staying safe and healthy, and can assist with resume building, job search and online applications.
The ILGR plays a strong role in finding places to live for disabled individuals, said Dominique (Dom) Johnson, Rapid Rehousing program specialist.
“We have regular independent living specialists who can help you find housing and complete applications (by) contacting you over the phone and walking you through the applications,” Johnson said.
“They may be filling it completely for you if that’s what you need, or if you’re able to fill it out, they can mail you the application and talk with you while you fill it out for any questions that you may have.”
Johnson said the Rapid Rehousing program is for eligible people who are currently homeless or previously have been homeless, and it starts with a phone call and screening.
“This is because you have been sleeping in a car or a community organization such as Community Action, Catholic Charities or Social Services is paying for you to be at a hotel or motel, or you are at a shelter – even though we don’t have shelters in our county,” he said.
“But if you are a county resident and you’re in the shelter and your residence is in one of the counties we serve, I can complete that screening to see if you are eligible for the Rapid Rehousing program."
He said that the program pays for security deposit and rental assistance for the apartment within the three counties, with the monetary allotment based on the applicant’s family size.
All three ILGR staff members emphasized that agency employees make themselves available for those who just want to hear some words of assurance during these troubling times.
“Yesterday, I spoke with a consumer that wasn’t actually in our county and after I got down to figuring out what he needed, I found out he just needed someone to talk to and vent to about everything that is going on,” Johnson said.
“I was the first person that he was actually able to get a hold of. (We’re) just letting the public know, maybe they don’t actually need a service, maybe they just need somebody to listen to them and that’s what we’re here for.”
The ILGR is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is (585) 815-8501. Johnson’s cell phone number is (716) 235-0934. More information can be found on the agency’s Facebook page.
To view the “Genesee Connects” video session hosted by Assistant County Manager Matt Landers, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC1z-CGNy0w
