The HOPE Buffalo Collaborative Referral Guide
This guide was created with input from the youth of Buffalo. We thank them for their contributions.
Teens in New York State have the right to get private medical care for reproductive health without permission from parents on anyone else. All of the organizations listed below offer services for teens. Use this guide to help you find services that fit your needs.
You can download and/or print a pdf version of this guide here.
On this page:
Sexual and Reproductive Health Care
All the following clinics offer reproductive health services for teens. Some clinics can sign patients up for the Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP). This is a public health insurance program for females and males who need family planning services but may not be able to afford them.
Many health centers on this list offer long-acting contraceptives such as the implant and IUD (intrauterine device). All of the health centers listed:
- Provide confidential sexual health services
- Allow teens to see a provider alone, even if a parent or partner is present
- See teens for reproductive health services, even if a parent is not present
- Ask about sexual history at every visit
- Allow minors to give confidential contact information
- Do not require a pelvic exam before starting birth control
- Provide information and referrals to adoption and prenatal services
Buffalo Women Services
2500 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 835-2510
Mon – Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Accepts most insurance (including Medicaid)
Community Health Center of Buffalo
34 Benwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215
(716) 986-9199
Mon – Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid)
Erie County Department of Health Jesse Nash Health Center – Family Planning Clinic
608 William St., Buffalo, NY 14206
(716) 858- 2779
Mon – Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wed: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
All Erie County residents are seen regardless of ability to pay. Walk-ins are accepted or you can make an appointment.
Erie County Department of Health Jesse Nash Health Center – Sexual Health Clinic
608 William St., Buffalo, NY 14206
(716) 858-7687
Mon – Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid)
Walk-in center. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kaleida Health – Family Planning
1100 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 748-4988
Mon – Wed and Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thu: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid)
NYS HIV/AIDS Information Line
(800) 541-2437
(800) 233-7432 (Spanish)
Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, Inc. – Buffalo Health Center
60 E Amherst St., Buffalo NY 14214
(866) 600-6886
Mon, Thu, Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tue: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wed: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid); no-insurance-option health care available
Primary Health Care
Adolescence is a good time for children and youth to begin taking responsibility for their physical health- from what they eat to keeping fit to getting preventive check-ups. During this phase, adolescents with chronic conditions can begin to learn how to manage those conditions.
Most minors in New York are unable to consent for their own primary care. Certain minors can consent to any and all medical treatment confidentially, without involving a parent:
- Emancipated minors- minors who are living:
- On their own and are financially independent of their parents
- Married minors
- Minors who have children
- Mature minors- minors who can give informed consent and are mature enough to make their own health care decisions. This determination is made by the health care provider
All primary health care centers below provide general health care, including routine checkups and non-emergency medical care. All health centers on list:
- See all patients regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation
- Offer STD testing (urine) and treatment
- Offer pregnancy test (urine)
- Offer contraceptive counseling
Community Health Center of Buffalo
34 Benwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215
(716) 986-9199
Mon – Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid)
Neighborhood Health Center- Mattina Center
300 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 242-8600
Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tue – Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Accepts all insurance (including Medicaid)
Intimate Partner Violence Services and Prevention
During adolescence, young people learn how to form safe and healthy relationships. Adolescents sometimes develop unhealthy relationships, and experience or exhibit intimate partner violence. Controlling and demanding behaviors often happen before violence occurs.
Over time, controlling and demanding behavior may become increasingly violent. Violence can have a negative effect on physical and mental health throughout life. Victims of violence often feel trapped and are at risk of harm.
Adults can help by paying attention, talking to adolescents about how to build healthy, respectful relationships, and urging young people to get help.
The following services include hotlines for crisis situations, safety planning, counseling, emergency shelter, and legal assistance.
24 Hour Crisis Hotline
(716) 834-3131
Available every day, 24 hours a day
24 Hour Erie County Domestic Violence Hotline
(716) 862-HELP (4357)
(716) 884-6000 (for shelter)
Available every day, 24 hours a day
24 Hour NYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline
(800) 942-6906
Child and Family Services – Haven House
LGBTQ+ Resources
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) adolescents are happy and thrive during their teenage years. However, as a group they are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience difficulties: LGBTQ+ adolescents are at increased risk for suicide attempts, being homeless, alcohol use, and risky sex.
Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of WNY, Inc.
741 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 855-0221
The Pride Center of WNY
200 S Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 852-7743
Mental Health Services
Important mental health habits- including coping, resilience, and good judgement- help adolescents to achieve overall wellbeing and set the stage for positive mental health in adulthood.
Friends and family can watch for signs of mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety disorders, and urge young people to get help. Effective treatments exist and may involve a combination of counseling and medication.
Most minors in New York state are unable to consent for their own mental health care. Certain minors can consent to any type of health care on their own. Minors in the below categories can consent to all medical treatment confidentially, without involving a parent:
- Emancipated minors: minors who are living on their own and are financially independent of their parents
- Married minors
- Minors who have children
- Mature minors: minors who can give consent and are mature enough to make their own health care decisions (this determination is made by the health care provider)
- Minors whose treatment is necessary to their well-being and a parent or guardian is not reasonably available
- Minors whose treatment would be negatively affected by requiring parental consent
The following resources include urgent mental health services for crisis situations, counseling, and psychiatry services.
Bestself Behavioral Health – Children and Families
Multiple locations
Catholic Charities
Multiple locations
The Summit Center
415 North French Rd., Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 629-3400
Urgent Mental Health Services 24 Hour Crisis Hotline
(716) 834-3131
Available every day, 24 hours a day
Substance Use Services
Some adolescents use drugs that are not prescribed for them or are illegal to help their mood. Many factors and strategies can help adolescents stay drug free. Strong positive connections with parents, other family members, school, and religion; having parents present clear limits and consistent enforcement of discipline; and reduced access in home to the addictive substances.
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the use of one or more substances that leads to a clinically significant harm or distress. The following resources include support groups, counseling, and treatment services.
24 Hour Addiction Hotline
(716) 831-7007
Available every day, 24 hours a day
Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (ECCPASA) – Project Choices & Student Assistance/Teen Intervene
1625 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 831-2298
Renaissance Addiction Services – Kids Escaping Drugs
920 Harlem Rd., Buffalo, NY 14224
(716) 827-9462
*Ages 12-20
WNY Alateen
(716) 856-2520
(24 hours/7 days a week)
Young Adult Recovery Clubhouse
66 Englewood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 832-2141
*Ages 13-20
Educational Services/Vocational Education/Workforce Development
Educational resources include tutoring for those in high school, high school equivalency services for those not in school, and internship opportunities and college preparation assistance to help teens reach their goals.
Vocational and workforce development programs are focused on preparing students for employment in current or emerging occupations.
These programs train students for entry into the workforce, career advancement, and entry into further education training.
Buffalo Public School District – Adult Education Division
389 Virginia St., Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 888-7088, ext. 100
*Ages 17 and up
Northland Workforce Training Center
683 Northland Ave., Buffalo, NY 14211
(716) 436-3229
Unstably/Homeless/Unhoused Services
Adolescents leave home for a variety of reasons, such as family problems, economic problems, and transitions from foster care and other public systems. Adolescents who are unhoused (homeless) or have unstable housing have increased likelihood of high-risk behaviors, greater risk of severe anxiety and depression, and difficulty attending school.
211 Western New York Hotline
211 WNY is a centralized human services referral provider for the Western New York region
(888) 696-9211
Available every day, 24 hours a day
Pregnancy and Parenting Resources
Pregnant and parenting teens are balancing their lives and planning for or being a parent. Ensuring that pregnant and parenting teens receive adequate social, emotional, medical, and academic support is essential to the parent and the baby’s future.
The following resources provide case management, assistance with medical appointments and academic needs, parenting education and support, birth planning, breastfeeding education and support, and doula services.
Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network
703 Washington St., Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 884-6711
