At The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC), we offer three degrees of mental health case management to meet the varying needs of our consumers. The three tiers, Intensive Case Management (ICM), Supportive Case Management (SCM), and Community Support Services (CSS), provide a continuum of care with maximum flexibility and the option to easily and efficiently move from one level to the next as the consumer's needs change

Our case management services assist adults ages 18 years and over, who are considered seriously and persistently mentally ill (SPMI). Children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families are assisted by our Comprehensive Medicaid Case Management Program (CMCM) and its companion support program, The Family Reimbursement Program.

Our case management services provide the following benefits:

• Ninety-five percent of all contacts take place in the consumer's own environment.
• We give hands-on assistance with all problems that may arise from the day-to-day realities of community living- from basic skills development such as shopping and cleaning- to complex clinical behavioral and legal issues.
• We work with all Erie County providers, adapting our services to the various philosophies and treatment approaches.

Our emphasis is on integrating consumers into the community, using non-mental health, generic supports to augment traditional mental health services.

Intensive Case Management (ICM)

The goal of ICM is to serve SPMI (Seriously & Persistently, Mentally Ill) consumers who are considered most at risk. These individuals have typically experienced multiple hospitalizations and emergency room visits, frequent police contacts, homelessness, and have been unable to maintain their linkages to mental health services.

ICM Services

• Are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week through on-call services.
• Feature a small (1:13) staff-to-consumer ratio.
• Schedule personal client contacts a minimum of four times per month or as frequently as needed.
• Provides ongoing follow-up contact and coordination with other service providers.

Supportive Case Management (SCM)

SCM works with individuals who have achieved a level of stability in the community, but who still require continuous assistance and monitoring.

SCM Services

• Are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with 24-hour-a-day on-call coverage.
• Case managers meet with their consumers a minimum of twice monthly, and more frequently as needed.
• There is coordination with other service providers monthly, and case conferences are scheduled as needed.

Community Support Services (CSS)

Consumers who have achieved a moderate level of stability living in the community often need periodic assistance and ongoing low-level monitoring and support. CSS provides these measures to help the person maintain his or her current level of functioning and rehabilitative gains.

CSS Services

• Are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ensures case managers follow up with each consumer at least once per month.
• Provides ongoing follow-up with other service providers.

Contact Information
Robert L. Cannata, CSW
570, Forest Avenue
Phone: (716) 884-2903
Fax: (716) 884-2906
Bcannata@bfnc.org