Community Health and Wellness

Adult patients presenting at a Kaleida Health hospital are screened for suicide risk using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Patients are screened into three categories - low, medium and high risk. This screening ensures that at-risk individuals are identified early and referred to appropriate behavioral health services for timely intervention. 

All patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (GCH Buffalo) are screened for suicide risk using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Patients are screened into three categories: low risk, medium risk and high risk. If a patient's screening results in the medium or high-risk category, they receive a consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist. If a patient screens for low or no risk, they receive a consult from a psychologist, a licensed master social worker or peer advocate. For patients screening low risk, the consult includes a brief assessment, psychoeducation on suicide prevention and creation of a wellness plan to improve risk. The consult also links the participant to mental health treatment at GCH Buffalo's Children's Psychiatry Clinic.  If no risk is present, patients and their families are given praise for current mental health and education on how risk can change in the future. 

As part of Kaleida Health’s transition to a new electronic health medical record system, the Children's Psychiatry Clinic will also be launching a Suicide Prevention Dashboard. This dashboard will automatically capture C-SSRS results for every patient screened and screening results, among other metrics. These analytics will allow GCH Buffalo to monitor trends in risk and service utilization, identify opportunities for early intervention, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan. 

The psychiatry clinic also conducts outreach efforts and tabling work to expand GCH Buffalo's prevention screening services. GCH Buffalo will be collaborating with a variety of community organizations that focus their work within under-represented groups in Erie County.

This peer support program, developed by Johns Hopkins University, helps hospitals provide immediate and confidential behavioral health support to healthcare workers who encounter stressful patient or work-related events. All Kaleida Health, clinical employees are eligible for training, which equips them to serve as peer responders and fosters a culture of resilience. By offering timely support after adverse events, RISE contributes to reduced anxiety and stress among Kaleida Health's workforce. 

The PACE employee resource group fosters connection through shared experiences, resources, and peer support, while advocating for practical solutions that promote work-life balance and mental health support. PACE ERG empowers working parents and caregivers by creating a supportive community that drives engagement, reduces burnout, and contributes to a more flexible and inclusive workplace culture. 

Kaleida Health offers a paid, full-time 8-week training program for community members to become CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants). The program includes hands-on training, covers the NYS certification exam costs, and leads to employment upon certification

Kaleida Health partners with Western New York community organizations and educational institutions for training, reskilling and upskilling opportunities, meeting with students in their classrooms, offering internships and actively hosting and participating in job fairs to connect job seekers with opportunities throughout the system. Kaleida Health also offers high school students internships to explore healthcare career possibilities. We track the progress of each individual and report back to the partner organization as they are hired, and provide feedback for those needing additional assistance.

This project aims to support patients at Kaleida Health's Niagara Street and Broadway Pediatric Clinics experiencing food insecurity. Parents or guardians of pediatric primary care patients are screened for food insecurity at every visit. If the screening determines that they are food insecure, they are provided with fresh produce and dry goods to bridge the gap for at least three days until the family can gain access to a food pantry. Refrigeration units and the dry pantry are stocked by Buffalo Go Green in each clinic weekly.

Kaleida Health partners with Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) and Buffalo Go Green to provide markets for our community. The mission is to nurture the growth of a sustainable and equitable community food system to promote local economic opportunities, access to fresh, affordable, nutritious food, and education. MAP’s Mobile Market serves the Broadway Pediatrics parking lot located at 1020 Broadway Street, Buffalo. Buffalo Go Green operates at our Niagara Street Pediatrics clinic at 1050 Niagara Street, Buffalo. Both markets operate from June through October. 

For information, please refer to Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP)  and Buffalo Go Green for days and hours of operation.  

Fresh Start for Health is a research study through Buffalo Go Green, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Highmark. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a produce prescription (PRx) program on health behaviors and food security. The PRx program, named Fresh Start for Health, provides participants with nutrition education and fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) over a period of time.  Employees who are enrolled in Kaleida’s Highmark insurance plan may be eligible to participate in the program. 

This initiative provides no-cost meal kits and healthy food options to employees and their families in a manner that is inclusive, dignified, and free of stigma. Through a partnership with Buffalo Go Green (CBO), Care That Counts is an accessible, culturally responsive food distribution model that supports workforce well-being, addresses food insecurity, and advances health equity.

Employees will receive individualized support through trained navigators who will conduct a needs assessment screening, provide referrals to local food pantries, evaluate eligibility for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and conduct social determinants of health screening for eligibility for 1115 waiver services (as applicable).  

By investing in the health of our workforce, we strengthen not only individual well-being but also our organization’s capacity to deliver high-quality care to the communities we serve.

Kaleida Health supports families in reaching their infant feeding goals through education, encouragement, and access to skilled lactation support. Our breastfeeding initiatives are designed to improve the patient experience, strengthen confidence, and promote equitable outcomes across the perinatal journey.

Why this matters: Breastfeeding support can improve health outcomes for both parent and baby, but not every family has the same access to education, support, or follow-up care.

What we offer: Prenatal education, inpatient lactation support, postpartum resources, referrals, and community-based support options.
Our goal: Increase access, reduce disparities, and ensure families receive respectful, informed support that honors their individual choices and needs.

Centering Pregnancy is group prenatal care that brings together patients with similar due dates for shared learning, relationship-building, and routine prenatal care in a supportive setting.

How it works: Patients attend prenatal sessions in a group setting, where they receive health assessments, education, and time for discussion.

Why families value it: The model creates more time for questions, builds community, and helps patients feel supported and informed.

Why it matters for birth equity: Group prenatal care can help reduce isolation, strengthen trust, and improve access to culturally responsive education and support.

For more information, contact our prenatal care team at Niagara Street OB/GYN or Kensington OB/GYN

At Kaleida Health, we are working to foster a doula-friendly care environment where doulas are welcomed as valued members of the support team and patients can benefit from continuous emotional, informational, and advocacy support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

What doula friendliness means: Clear expectations, respectful collaboration, and recognition of the important role doulas play in the patient experience.

Why it matters: Doulas can help patients feel heard, informed, and supported, especially during vulnerable or high-stress moments.

Our commitment: Strengthening staff awareness, improving collaboration, and helping create a respectful environment for patients, families, doulas, and clinical teams.

Learn about our doula-friendly approach 

Find information on Medicaid doula coverage