$4.5 Million in State Funding Supports the Renovation of the New Buffalo Location and the Addition of 30 New Jobs
See a Photo of the Newly Renovated Building Here
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced BestSelf Behavioral Health has completed the renovation of the new Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and corporate headquarters located at 899 Main Street in Buffalo. BestSelf Behavioral Health is the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving Western New York. It offers comprehensive services for mental health and substance use disorders. The organization serves over 41,000 individuals annually across more than 70 locations, focusing on trauma-informed care and person-centered treatment. The new facility will serve children and families impacted by sexual abuse, violence, and trauma.
“In New York State, we put children first by investing in projects and partnerships that support each child and family in all areas of behavioral health,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “The significant state investment in this project demonstrates Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly experience of the highest quality for the families of Western New York during their greatest times of need.”
The Child Advocacy Center was relocated from 556 Franklin Street to the Main Street location. The new space consolidates services previously spread across multiple locations, bringing together a multidisciplinary team under one roof. This includes law enforcement, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, medical examiners, prosecutors, and mental health providers working collaboratively to provide safety, support, and healing.
A $2 million Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Capital Fund Grant supported the relocation and expansion project. Empire State Development’s Restore New York Communities Initiative also provided a $2.5 million grant through Erie County.
The $22 million project included the renovation and addition of a floor to create a 66,432-square-foot building, which houses the expanded state-of-the-art Child Advocacy Center, administrative offices, and a community training center. The new site is located in close proximity to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and will quadruple the CAC’s current footprint. The new facility will reduce wait times, offer extended hours, and provide 24/7 on-call staffing. The Main Street building is also well located to provide easy access by bus for staff and clients. BestSelf employs 1,200 people statewide and will be adding 30 jobs at the new location.
Elizabeth Woike, President and CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health said, "We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their vital support of the Child Advocacy Center. The resources they provided were instrumental in bringing this project to life. We are thankful for their recognition of the critical services we provide for the children and families of Erie County, and we look forward to continuing this partnership to support our community.”
BestSelf Behavioral Health is a not-for-profit organization formed through the merger of Child & Adolescent Treatment Services and Lake Shore Behavioral Health in June 2017. It offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the community’s 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.
Learn more about BestSelf at https://www.bestselfwny.org/.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “I am grateful that children and families in our community will have new resources to heal and find hope after experiencing violence and abuse. Surviving trauma is the beginning of a long journey, and we must do everything in our power to provide safety and support while working to bring abusers to justice.”
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “The expansion of the BestSelf Behavioral Health Child Advocacy Center is exciting news. It highlights this organization’s commitment to our youth and our community. For over 30 years the CAC has played a critical role in abuse intervention and prevention for our most vulnerable residents. The need for the CAC has increased significantly, and I’m pleased to see the growth of this program where more lives can be positively impacted.”
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “The new Child Advocacy Center will be helping families and children impacted by sexual and physical assault, individuals who are at their most vulnerable point and need compassionate care to help them navigate the days ahead. Erie County is proud to be a supporter of this new Center, contributing a $1million funding match as part of the Restore New York Round 7 application process through the New York State Empire State Development Restore New York Communities Initiative. This much-needed, accessible new Center expands the capability to handle these cases, allows for extended hours and offers more supports to those who need them. Projects like these invest in the health and wellbeing of our residents and we are glad to join our partners in doing so.”
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
Contact:
Pamm Lent | [email protected]| (716)-560-8815 | (800) 260-7313
Laura Magee | [email protected] | (716)-374-4246 | (800) 260-7313