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Resources

211 WNY: 211 WNY is a three-digit phone number that connects people to services. This service operates 24/7. People can dial 211 or 888-696-9211 and talk to a trained information & referral specialist who is able to identify services in the community that can provide them with the help they need. 

Comprehensive Guide for Youth and Families: The office of Buffalo Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart developed this project to support the needs of our community, providing vital information, resources, and contacts that can make a real difference in the lives of our youth and their families. This resource is designed to be a go-to guide for everything from educational programs to health services, offering over 40 sections of crucial information.

CRIMESTOPPERS: Call 716-867-6161 or visit their web site to make an anonymous tip. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies or crimes in process.

Crisis Services Hotline: 716-834-3131 (24/7)

Erie County Clerk’s Pistol Permit Page: We include this link as part of our commitment to gun violence prevention through awareness, education, and responsible practices. Providing access to official information about firearm permitting helps community members understand legal requirements, safe ownership responsibilities, and the processes in place to promote public safety. Transparency and access to accurate resources are important steps in supporting informed decision-making and reducing the risk of gun-related harm.

Erie County Domestic Violence Resource Guide (2025 edition) is a comprehensive directory designed to help survivors, families, and professionals quickly access support services across Erie County. It compiles up-to-date contact information for hotlines, shelters, legal assistance, counseling, and advocacy programs, along with guidance on safety planning and navigating the justice system. The guide promotes support for people at risk—especially in situations involving intimate partner violence—where access to firearms significantly increases the likelihood of lethal outcomes.

No Hate NYS: A statewide effort to address hate, bias, and discrimination through education, reporting resources, and community support. The website provides tools for recognizing and reporting hate incidents, as well as guidance on fostering safer, more inclusive communities. This work is closely connected to gun violence prevention, as hate-driven threats and acts of violence can escalate into serious harm when firearms are involved. By promoting early intervention, awareness, and community accountability, No Hate NYS supports efforts to reduce the risk of violence before it occurs.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) resource: An evidence-based framework for identifying and addressing potential threats of violence before they occur. It emphasizes collaboration among schools, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and community organizations to recognize warning signs, assess risk, and connect individuals with appropriate support. This approach supports gun violence prevention by focusing on early intervention and coordinated responses, helping reduce the likelihood of harm before a situation escalates.

WNY Black Wellness Directory: The WNY Black Wellness Directory addresses the unique challenges confronting Black communities. Our professional Black healthcare providers offer a full range of services for every age and stage of life. This directory increases the visibility of black healthcare professionals, removing stigmas surrounding treatment, and aligning clinicians and providers with a supportive community of colleagues.

Safe Storage

The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County has a map with firearm storage options. Watch the video from Crisis Services that explains how to use the map’s resources.

Brady United maintains an educational webpage promoting responsible gun ownership by encouraging safe storage practices to reduce preventable tragedies.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders

ERPO.org is a national resource hub providing clear, practical information, training, and state-by-state guidance on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red flag laws) to help communities and professionals prevent firearm-related harm.

Public Health Grand Rounds - Extreme Risk Protection Orders: A New Gun Violence Prevention Tool for Healthcare (video with ASL interpretation).

Johns Hopkins University - NYS Summary

Johns Hopkins University - Promising Approaches for Implementing Extreme Risk Laws - for Practitioners and Policy Makers

Everytown for Gun Safety - Extreme Risk Orders Save Lives

Education

BeSmart For Kids is a child-focused gun safety program that teaches families simple, age-appropriate ways to prevent accidental shootings and firearm injuries by promoting secure storage, open conversations, and responsible behavior around guns.

Eddie Eagle, created by the National Rifle Association, is a gun safety program for children that teaches them to Stop. Don’t Touch. Run Away. Tell an Adult. when they encounter a firearm.

Hunter Education Courses from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promote safe and responsible firearm handling, teaching proper storage, ethics, and accident prevention, which can reduce unintentional shootings and contribute to the overall prevention of gun-related injuries and deaths.

Stop the Bleed and Hands-Only CPR trainings equip bystanders with life-saving skills to control severe bleeding and maintain circulation, which are critical in gun-related injuries where rapid blood loss and cardiac arrest can occur before emergency responders arrive. Email phep@erie.gov for more information.

Mental Health First Aid is a training program that teaches people how to recognize, respond to, and support someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis until professional help is available. 

The "Let's Talk about Mental Health" Publication from the Erie County Office of Health Equity is a community‑focused publication that provides clear, culturally responsive information about mental health topics, helps normalize conversations around emotional well‑being, highlights warning signs and coping strategies, and connects residents to supportive resources.