“The $500 Eddie Future Greatness award supports and promotes higher education. This award is dedicated to helping youth with the desire and ambition to succeed. It is available to all LGBTQ youth and their allies, 16-26, who are registered in an accredited post secondary institution. Four $500 awards are given each year: two in the Spring semester (deadline March 16th) and two in the Fall semester (deadline September 16th).

Eddie's Future Greatness Fund was established by community members Laura Serway, Cindy Seymour, and Paul Mahalick in memory of Eddie Kirsteins who passed away in January 2012 at the age of 31.”

Go to the website to learn more and apply.

Provides comprehensive multidisciplinary evalution, hands-on- guidance and instruction in accordance with the IFSP, from birth to age 3, for children who demonstrate cognitive deficits, speech and language delays and/or physical disabilities. The program is offered in a center-based classrooma and/or home-based programs include Parent-Child groups.

Early Head Start is a program for pregnant women and families of children birth to three. The program provides year-round services based on the four cornerstones of Early Head Start: family development, child development, staff development and, community building. Services will be provided in an inclusive home-based option.

What can Early Head Start offer your family?

Comprehensive health/nutrition care for pregnant women, infants/toddlers and their families.

Weekly 90 minute home visits with your own Family Development Specialist.

Opportunities for parents to learn more about their child’s development.

Learn to plan Parent/Child activities to enhance your child’s growth.

Family services that support parents’ efforts to enrich family life.

Parent workshops and support groups designed to enhance parenting skills.

On-going case management to families of infants and toddlers with special needs.

One on one counseling in family crisis situations from a trained family counselor.

To qualify for Early Head Start a family must:

Meet federal income guidelines.

Have a child aged birth to three years OR be pregnant.

Reside in Cattaraugus or Wyoming Counties, New York.

Services Include:

• College Path – exploring subject and career interests and possible majors, applying for colleges if returning or transferring, etc.

• Financial Aid – applying for FAFSA and TAP as well as understanding loans, grants, and scholarships.

• Transportation – get a ride to college tours, placement exams, class registration, summer orientations, moving in/out of college, going home/back over semester breaks, court dates (with proper documentation), in the event of a family/medical emergency (with proper documentation).

• Visitation – On Point Advisors visit 80+ colleges anywhere from once/week to once/semester to ensure that On Point students have everything that they need.

• Campus Angels – as a believer in the On Point mission, they can refer you to campus resources, advocate on your behalf, and offer a friendly face on campus.

• Appeals Assistance – for readmission into the college

• Loan Consolidation Assistance

• Housing Support for Special Circumstances

Method of Payment: Free

Expanded Food Nutrition Program helps families in Allegany county with children, including grandparents feeding grandchildren, improve their nutritional well-being through a series of hands-on, interactive lessons where participants learn and are encouraged to improve their food practices. EFNEP also helps families to be ore physically active, plan their money management and develop healthy skills and behaviors. This program is available in group settings as well as in homes.

Head Start is a free federally-funded comprehensive child development program for 3 and 4 year olds that proposes to promote the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of the children enrolled.

Head Start operates a variety of programs depending on the needs of the community and Head Start families. The Head Start Center Based Program operates four licensed centers located in Olean, Salamanca, Delevan, and Warsaw. Also included among Head Start are UPK (Universal Pre Kindergarten) classes that are located in Franklinville and Olean. The Center Based Team consists of Teachers, Assistant Teachers or Teacher Aides, Family Workers, Nutrition/Food Service Workers, Bus Drivers, Bus Monitors, Program Aides, and Volunteers.

Head Start generally follows the school calendar.

The Head Start Combined Option Program is offered in the Olean center only. Children enrolled in this option are provided class sessions and home visits that result in an amount of contact that is equivalent to the services provided through the Center Based Program Option or the Home Based Program Option.

Head Start interrelates the four components of Education, Health (physical, dental, mental, nutritional, and services to children with disabilities), Social Services and Parent Involvement to bring about a broad range of services which address the individual needs of each child and his family.

Specializing in: Pediatric Therapy, Preschool, Daycare and Early Intervention Services, Day Care Preschool Classrooms Toddler Developmental Play-Groups Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy

The Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome runs the Senior Citizen Program, which offers different therapeutic programs to elders to promote independence. These include: aqua aerobics, pilates, computer classes, low-impact aerobics, arthritis exercises, circuit training, cooking classes, and more.

“This program provides educational and/or support services for children ages 3 and 4 years old with confirmed disabilities and/or delays impacting their ability to learn. The program is directed through the New York State Department of Education within your home school district. Oneida County Health Department and the State Department of Education pay for all services.

REFERRAL: If your child received Early Intervention as an infant or toddler to age 3 and may still need special education and/or support services, your service coordinator can assist you with transition planning to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) within your home school district.

If your preschool age child (3-5 years old) did not receive Early Intervention but is having difficulty talking, learning, moving, using utensils/small objects and/or other growth or health challenges — you may make a referral to the Chairperson of your home school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) who will assist you in completing the referral process. ...

HOW DOES CPSE WORK? The school district will arrange for your child to be evaluated to see if there is a need for special education and/or support services. If the evaluation shows your child to be “eligible” then the CPSE, with your input, will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to meet your child’s needs. CPSE services for preschool age children are determined 'least restrictive' and can take place in your home, your child’s day care setting or within a special education classroom.

Services on an IEP may include:

Special Education

Speech Therapy

Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy"

METHODS OF PAYMENT: Free

The office provides initial service coordination to all families seeking information or services for infants and toddlers suspected of having a disability or delay. Additionally, the office provides ongoing service coordination when chosen by families and contracts with a number of providers who provide assessment, evaluation and early intervention services.