Adult Single Point Of Access
The Adult Single Point of Access (SPOA) serves Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill* (SPMI) individuals who are Niagara County residents and may have difficulty accessing care management, Assertive Community Treatment, housing or residential services. The Adult SPOA establishes an efficient and comprehensive single entry point for individuals into the service system while providing systems management. Individuals of services are able to enter the system more seamlessly, be served more appropriately, and gain more from the experience of being served by one or more of Niagara County’s agencies. All stakeholders (individuals, Niagara County Department of Mental Health, New York State Office of Mental Health, and contract, as well as other provider agencies) have the opportunity to view themselves as partners in a collaborative system.
*Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill is defined as having a mental health diagnosis, other than alcohol/drug disorders, organic brain syndromes or developmental disabilities, and at least one of the following:
- SSI or SSDI enrollment due to a designated mental illness;
- Extended impairment in functioning due to mental illness over past 12 months;
- Psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation or support have assisted in the management of symptoms and improved functioning.
- Incorporate NYS OMH Best Practices to improve quality and effectiveness of services.
- Assure access to services for individuals with the greatest need.
- Promote a responsible, comprehensive, and coordinated service delivery system with consumers, service providers, consumer family members, and the Niagara County Mental Health Department. Facilitate movement among the appropriate levels of service.
- Involve consumers in aspects of service planning, evaluation, and delivery and use peer support when possible. Ensure consumer choice.
Care Management
Services Provided:
Comprehensive care management; care coordination; health promotion; comprehensive transitional care, including appropriate follow up from inpatient to other settings; patient and family support; referral to community and social support services; and use of health information technology to link services.
Care management is provided to consumers regardless of medical insurance coverage or type of coverage.
Service Levels Available:
The intensity of care management services will be determined based upon a consumer’s assessed needs.
Niagara County Health Home Non-Medicaid Care Management services are for individuals without Medicaid. These services can only be accessed through application to Niagara County Adult SPOA program. Health Home Non-Medicaid Care Management Services are provided by the following agency:
Niagara County Health Home Care Management Agencies (CMAs) serving individuals with Medicaid:
(Care Management Agencies affiliated with Health Homes of Upstate NY - HHUNY - BestSelf Health Home Services). Please contact the BestSelf Health Home Services directly for a complete and current listing of all CMAs serving Niagara County as the list below may be subject to change.
- BestSelf
- Buffalo Psychiatric Center
- Catholic Health - Sisters of Charity Hospital
- Evergreen Health Services
- Hillside Children's Center
- Horizon Health Services
- Intandem
- Monroe Plan for Medical Care
- Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
- Pinnacle Community Services (formerly Family & Children Service of Niagara, Inc.)
- Transitional Services Inc.
- Venture Forthe
- WNY Independent Living of Niagara County
If an individual with Medicaid is referred to SPOA by way of the SPOA application, meets Health Home care management eligibility criteria and is in need of and interested in services, SPOA will refer the individual to one of the HHCM providers above based on their choice of provider.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team
This service is provided by Spectrum Health & Human Services. It is an evidenced-based practice that offers treatment, rehabilitation, and support services, using a person-centered, recovery-based approach, to individuals, ACT services - assertive outreach, mental Health treatment, health, vocational, integrated dual disorder treatment, family education, wellness skills, community linkages, and peer support - are provided to individuals by a mobile, multi-disciplinary team in community settings. The goal of ACT services is to assist individuals to achieve their personally meaningful goals and life roles.
ACT services can only be accessed through the Niagara County SPOA application process.
Residential / Housing Services
Residential / Housing Services listed below can only be accessed through the Niagara County SPOA application process.
Service Levels:
24 hour Supervised Treatment Community Residence
A 10 or 12 bed structured home-like environment for consumers requiring extra support or extra skills training. Some single bedrooms are available. Program operated by Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc.
Supportive Residential Apartment Treatment Program
An on-site or off-site apartment environment for consumers who have basic skills. Some single bedrooms and single apartments are available. Program operated by Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc.
Supportive Housing Program
Affordable, independent, subsidized housing that is furnished and appropriately equipped. Staff available for basic support and guidance relating to landlord relations, linkage for services, and coordination of mental health care.
Supportive Housing Guidelines
Niagara County Supportive Housing Providers:
- Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc.
- DePaul Community Services
- Recovery Options Made Easy, Inc. (Formerly Housing Options Made Easy, Inc.)
- Living Opportunities of DePaul, Inc.
- Transitional Services, Inc.
BPC MIT Brochure
The BPC MIT program is designed to provide the clinical support necessary for adults with serious mental illness to not only remain in the community, but also continue moving forward on their recovery journey. The underlying principles of every MIT service is that individuals do recover, individuals and families are resilient, and there is hope for the future. The BPC MIT is a multidisciplinary team, including peers, dedicated to partnering with people with mental illnesses and their families to keep them healthy while living in their communities. The team will bring services to the individual and their family.
To access MIT services, call (716) 816-2463.
Applications:
To refer an adult to the Single Point of Access (SPOA), a service provider, individual or family member should complete a referral packet and submit to the Niagara County Adult SPOA Program.
- Download the Application Niagara Co ASPOA Application.pdf (revised 8/2023) please do not submit older versions of the application
- Attachment C Hospital Diversion Services referral form
- Attachment D Crisis Services Coordination and Forensic Case Management forms
- Attachment E Partnership for Health Aging referral form
Important Contact Information:
Adult SPOA Program
c/o Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
5467 Upper Mountain Road, Suite 200
Lockport, NY 14094-1895
Phone: (716) 439-7527 or 438-3071
Fax: (716) 439-7418
Email: NCDMH@niagaracounty.com
Funding for SPOA is provided by New York State Office of Mental Health and Niagara County Department of Mental Health.
