Community Action Organization

Holy Cross Head Start, a delegate agency of the Community Action Organization of Erie County, is one of the many Head Start pre-school programs serving children between the ages of 3 and 4 years old. Funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, it offers a wide range of classroom activities that promote social, emotional, physical, intellectual and academic growth. Holy Cross Head Start provides a variety of educational and employment opportunities for parents and community members. It offers assistance with health, family and mental health services. The services provided by the agency include food support and nutritional counseling. Holy Cross Head Start is located in Buffalo, N.Y.

Preventionfocus is dedicated to promote healthy lifestyles for all ages through conflict resolution, problem solving techniques and education programs in stress management. The organization operates prevention programs in schools, churches, camps and community meetings rooms. Preventionfocus is one of the largest prevention service providers in New York. It offers tailored program and professional development services. The organization s staff comprise of professionals from the fields of health, human, education and prevention services. It conducts life skill workshops for women and services for adolescent girls. It offers education programs to students in grades seven and eight. Additionally, Preventionfocus conducts parent and family programs, as well as summer programs for youths and adults.

BestSelf Behavioral Health is an innovative organization formed through the merger of Child & Adolescent Treatment Services and Lake Shore Behavioral Health in June 2017. Both organizations served this community for a combined 120 years and are proven leaders in innovative delivery of behavioral health services in Western New York. Our shared reputation and stellar delivery of quality care in the community, led the Boards of Directors of both organizations to the creation of what is now the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving children and adults of all ages in Western New York.No matter how old you are, where you live in Western New York or what challenges youre facingBestSelf Behavioral Health can provide you and your family with the innovative and evidence-based services you need, along with a personal and caring approach that will help you feel respected, valued, confident and hopeful. We are proud to offer numerous locations that provide all of the mental health and substance use disorders treatment and rehabilitation services you need. Our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) are part of a new concept in outpatient care that is designed to improve overall health by caring for the whole person, better integrating behavioral health care with physical health care and increasing the use of high-quality, evidence-based practices.BestSelf Behavioral Health also offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the communitys needs including but not limited to education and vocational supports, mobile mental health and substance use disorder services, homeless outreach and housing, community and school-based programs; and a best practice model Child Advocacy Center that works with law enforcement and medical, mental health and child protection professionals to help children and their families with a single, child-friendly, coordinated response during and after a significant trauma.