CC Resource Guide

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

  1. Advocacy

 

The Arc of Pennsylvania

The largest advocacy organization in the U.S. for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities containing 34 local chapters serving 56 counties across PA

 

Juvenile Law Center

1-(888)-864-6393

Advancing the rights and well-being of children in jeopardy

Advocacy and legal services:

 

  • The Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights

(215)-731-1447 or (866)-LGBT-LAW

Center advocates equality for lesbian, gay bixesual, and transgender PA residents through direct legal series, education, and policy reform

 

  • Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Network

1-(800)-692-7443

Provides information on disabilities programs and series in communities nationwide

 

  • Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg: (717)-236-8110

Philadelphia: (215)-238-8070

Provides legal consultation and representation for individuals with disabilities and their families who are facing discrimination on the basis of disability

 

  • Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

1-(800)-541-0721 or (814)-871-4551

Assistance with obtaining and maintaining employment to individuals with disabilities

 

  • PA Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services

1-(800)-932-0311

Matches clients to lawyers in a specific area of law

 

  • PA Client Assistance Program

Philadelphia: (215)-557-7112  Camp Hill: 7147-731-1077   Toll Free: (888)-323-6060

Advocacy program for people with disabilities seeking services in employment and housing

 

  • Special Kids Network

1-(800)-986-4550

Statewide referral service designed to serve families of children with chronic health or disabling conditions through information and service coordination

 

  • North Penn Legal Services

(570)-784-8760

Provides legal representation to low-income people. Disability Rights and Special Needs Resources

 

  • Pennsylvania Families Incorporated

A resource database that empowers PA families of children with special needs by linking them to support and information

 

  • Carbon-Monroe-Pike MH/MR/DS

(570)-421-2901

Administers services and programs for individuals with mental and developmental disabilities

 

National Runaway Switchboard

1-(800)-789-2929

Toll-free, nationwide hodline for runaways and troubled youth. Provides information and referral for shelter, counseling, medical and legal services, and transportation back home

 

Kaleidoscope Family Solutions Inc.

Autism, IDD, & Behavioral Team: (877)-384-1729

School Division: (800)-908-0546

Kaleidoscope Family Services (KFS) is a specialized provider of clinical and therapeutic services directly to individuals as well as education-system staffing services. Services are delivered through its specialty division outlined below:

  • Behavioral  Therapeutic Services
  • Autism Services
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
  • School Staffing Services
  • Training Services

 

Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program

If referral is for a child under 21, please call 1-(800)-986-4550. If over 21, please call (814)-781-7860 or (724)-225-1395.

Provides support and advocacy services to individuals who have a developmental disability.

 

  • Kids as Self Advocates

 

  • Family Voices project funded by the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau

 

Family Enrichment Center, PC.

(570)-342-4665

Provides behavior specialist consultant, mobile therapy, therapeutic staff support, outpatient counseling, and group counseling

  1. Assistive Technology

 

Free Library of Philadelphia, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH)

(800)-222-1754 or (215)-683-3217

LBPH is part of the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and services PA residents whose low vision, blindness, or disability makes reading a regular printed page difficult.

The LPBH mails books and magazines in audio, large-print, and Braille formats directly to enrollees at no cost. Selected materials are also available online for download and are accessible through smartphones and other mobile devices.

LPBH staff provides outreach statewide about all of these services

 

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation

(888)-744-1938

The Foundation’s mission is to provide financing opportunities to people with disabilities and older PA residents, helping them to acquire the assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives.

 

Temple University Institute on Disabilities Assistive Technology Resource Centers

(610)-778-1015

Uses the Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital. Programs and resources offer training, services, and assistance for a variety of technologies for people with disabilities

 

Project CONNECT

(610)-769-4111

A Preschool EI program of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21. Project CONNECT has an assistive technology lending library to provide low to high tech tools, materials, and strategies to support the engagement of the eligible child in typical preschool routines.

 

  1. Counseling

 

The Advocacy Alliance

(877)-315-6855

Provides services and support for children and adults with a mental illness.

 

Behavioral Health Associates: Youth Counseling

(610)-379-9304

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents.

 

Carbon County Youth Advocate Program

(610)-681-2488

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents.

 

Colonial Intermediate: Youth Counseling

(610)-252-5500

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents.

 

Northwestern Human Services: Pocono Mountain Center

(570)-424-9229

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents.

 

Tri-County Helping Hands

(570)-688-2930

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents

 

Wordsworth At Shawnee

(570)-420-8601

Provides behavioral health rehabilitation for children and adolescents

 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

(800)-662-4357

SAMHSA offers a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator through which the user can search for a provider by address or zip code. The agency also offers a National Helpline which provides free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-(800)-662-4357 or 1-(800)-487-4889.

 

Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center (PEAL)

(412)-218-4404

PEAL is an organization of parents of children with special health care needs and disabilities, who reaches out to assist:

  • Families of children with disabilities or special health care needs
  • Professionals and others who assist children with disabilities or special healthcare needs
  • Children youth and young adults with disabilities or special health care needs ages 0-26

 

  1. Day Care

 

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

1-(800)-692-7462

Child Care and Early Learning Services

 

  • Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care

(570)-325-2226

If your household income is no more than twice of the FPIG and your child is 13 or younger, and you are a working parent or you are going to school

 

  • Pre-school Programs

1-(866)-214-5437

If your household income is no more than the FPIG and your child is 5 or younger

 

  • Online Child Care Provider Search

The search will help you locate a childcare provider that meets your needs and offers information on Early Learning programs. Offers a portion of the wide spectrum of childcare services offered by Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agencies. For additional assistance on locating a childcare arrangement, contact your local CCIS.

 

  1. Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

Both professionals and families can find information here to support all communication options and many other useful topics.

 

  1. Early Intervention

 

Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania

(412)-281-7244

Provides programs and services for children with disabilities or other special needs

 

Pennsylvania Department of Education – Early Intervention Program

1-(800)-692-7288

The PA Early Intervention program provides support and services to families with children, from ages 0-5, with developmental delays and disabilities.

 

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – Early Intervention Services Website

A state supported network of parents, service practitioners, and others, which builds upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within the daily routines of a child and their family.

 

  1. Health Insurance

 

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

1-(800)-986-5437

Covers all uninsured PA children under 19 years old.

 

COMPASS

Under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services benefits

 

APPRISE

1-(800)-783-7060

A free health insurance counseling service for individuals 60+. Helps with medicare.

 

  • Carbon County Area on Agency Aging

(610)-824-7830

 

  • Medicare Part D

Information about the Part D prescription drug benefit for individuals with Medicare

 

HealthCare.gov

1-(800)-318-2596

 

Medical Assistance (MA)

Healthcare services for eligible individuals

 

Presumptive Eligibility (PE)

Eligible uninsured pregnant women should register with the Department of Human Services, COMPASS, and MA . PE provides insurance coverage for pregnant women who have applied for MA but are still under review.

 

Maternity Insurance

 

Pennsylvania-Health-Coverage.com

1-(866)-589-6215

Compares affordable maternity health insurance options

 

Resource Guide to Healthcare Options in Pennsylvania

For children, adults, and seniors. The PA Office of Rural Health, PA State University

 

  1. Housing

 

Juvenile Law Center (Carbon County)

1-(888)-864-6393

Advancing the rights and well-being of children in jeopardy

 

  • Northwest Human Services (NHS)

1-(888)-647-0020

Provides residential living options, case/care management, and therapeutic services for individuals with disabilities

 

  • Fair Housing / Equal Opportunity at HUD

1-(800)-799-2085

Hotline service for individuals to report incidents of housing discrimination

 

Carbon County Housing Authority – Lehighton

(610)-377-9375

Provides housing assistance. Serve housing challenged families, the elderly, and the disabled with cost effective and assisted housing. Includes Section 8 Rental Assistance

Peaceful Knights

(610)-340-4786

A not-for-profit corporation formed to help those in need to have temporary, safe shelter and access to local organizations that provide assistance.

 

Family Promise of Carbon County

(610)-379-4757

Serves homeless and low income families by utilizing existing resources to form a network of 12 host congregations who are willing to house homeless families for 7 nights.

 

  1. Health Waiver Programs

 

Medicaid Waivers for Children Under 21

 

  • Attendant Care / Act 150

1-(800)-753-8827

Enables individuals (ages 18-59) with a physical disability and who are mentally alert, to continue to live in their homes with support and services.

 

  • Community Services Program for Persons with Physical Disabilities / OBRA Waiver

1-(800)-753-8827

Provides services to people 18+ with severe developmental and physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or similar conditions (onset prior to age 22).

 

  • Community Services Program for Persons with Physical Disabilities / Independence Waiver

1-(800)-753-8827

Provides services to people 18+ with severe physical disabilities to allow them to live in the community and remain as independent as possible

 

  • Consolidated Waiver for Individuals with Mental Retardation

Provides services to eligible people age 3+ with mental retardation so they can remain in the community

 

  • Person / Family Directed Support Waiver

Provides services to eligible people ages 3+ with mental retardation so they can remain in the community

 

  • Infants, Toddlers, and Families Waiver

(717)-346-1119

Supports Early Intervention services to children up to age 3 who would otherwise require the level of care provided in an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Mental Retardation of Other Related Conditions

 

  1. Respite Care

 

ARCH National Respite Network

1-(919)-490-5577

Assists and promotes the development of quality respite and crisis care programs, and to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities.

 

  1. Special Education

 

Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Consult Line

1-(800)-879-2301

Help for families and advocates of children with special needs can be obtained by calling the Consult Line or with the online request form

 

Intermediate Units in PA

Is part of the governance structure of public education, and are located in the middle between the state education agency and the local school districts. They provide specialized services to local school districts that can be operated more effectively and efficiently on a regional basis

 

  1. Support Groups

 

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania

1-(888)-727-2706

Linking families of children and adults with disabilities or special needs

 

PA Families Incorporated

1-(800)-947-4941

A Statewide network providing support to families raising children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and special needs, as well as serving as an advocate in the different child serving systems.

 

Pa Treatment and Healing (PATH)

Lehighton Center Intensive Adolescent Day Treatment Program

610-377-8870

 

Women Who are or Who Might be Pregnant

 

  1. Baby Supplies

 

Pennsylvania 211

Statewide collaborative for health and human service information

 

  1. Breastfeeding Guides

 

Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Referral Guide

Arranged by county

 

Womenshealth.gov Breastfeeding Challenges Guide

(800)-994-9662

Information regarding common breastfeeding challenges. Office on Women’s Health, US Department of Health and Human Services

 

  1. Car Seats

 

Car Seat Safety

The PA Child Passenger Protection Act requires that all drivers transporting children ages birth to 4 years old use and approved child safety seat. Children ages 4-8 must wear a seatbelt and be in a booster seat. Children with medical conditions or disabilities may require special considerations or adaptations for transportation safety.

 

  • The PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project

(800)-CAR-BELT

Car Seat Loan Program by county

 

  • National Highway Safety Transportation Administration

(888)-327-4236

Information on car seat safety and installation inspection

 

  • National Easter Seal Society

(800)-221-6827

Referrals and information about car seats

 

  1. Counseling

 

Nurse-Family Partnership

(570)-426-1688

A free, voluntary program that partners first-time moms with nurse home visitors. When you enroll in the program, a specially trained nurse will visit you throughout your pregnancy and until your baby turns 2 years old. During these visits, your caring nurse will offer the knowledge and support you need to confidently create a better life for your baby and yourself.

 

  1. CHIP

 

PA Children’s Health Insurance Program

(800)-986-5437

Puts health coverage within reach for all uninsured kids and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance

 

  1. Pregnancy Insurance

 

Presumptive Eligibility (PE), Medical Assistance (MA)

A temporary program of health insurance coverage for pregnant women who are applying for MA

 

  • PA Department of Human Services Benefits Helpline

1-(800)-692-7462

 

  • PA Department of Human Services County Assistance Office
  • COMPASS

Online application for PA residents to apply for many health and human service programs.

 

Text4Baby

Free text messages to  keep you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy and the baby’s first year.

 

WIC

(800)-942-9467

Pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers of infants and young children learn about good nutrition to keep themselves and their families healthy. WIC provides nutrition service, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals, and healthy foods to over 250,000 participants every month.

 

Lead Health Info for Parents, Homeowners, Contractors, and Health Professionals

Lead Info Helpline 1-(800)-440-4323

 

 

  • Elevated Lead Blood Case Management Guidelines

 

Recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

 

  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Lead

(800)-424-5323

Provides many useful links for families including the Lead Hotline – National Information Center

 

  1. PA Lead and Healthy Homes Program (LHHP)

(717)-772-2762

LHHP seeks to create safe and healthy housing by addressing environmental health and safety issues in homes. Program contact lists are provided by County

 

  1. Certified Contractors

 

Locating EPA Certified LEad Contractors and Technicians

Links to EPA.gov – Lead and PA Labor and Industry for information on accredited trainers and certified contracting firms

 

  • OSHA

For information about regulations regarding work on facilities which are non-residential, contractors should contact the appropriate Occupational Safety & Health Administration office

 

  1. Property Managers

 

HUD – Lead Disclosure Rule

Congress passed Title X to protect families from exposure to lead from paint, dust, and soil. This directed HUD and EPA to require the disclosure of known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978.

Contact 1-(800)-424-5323 for the Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint and/or Lead-Based Paint Hazards form.

 

Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury and their Families

The Head Injury Information Helpline (800)-412-4755

 

  1. Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania

1-(800)-444-6443

Mission is to prevent brain injury and improve the quality of life for people who have experienced brain injury and their family members through support, education, advocacy, and research

 

  1. PA Department of Health

 

Head Injury Program

(866)-412-4755

The program helps individuals with traumatic brain injury live independently in their home and communities

 

  1. Waiver Programs

 

Independent Enrollment Broker

(788)-550-4227

OFfice of Long-Term Living launched a contracted statewide entity to facilitate and streamline the eligibility/enrollment process for applicants seeking services for several PA waiver programs

 

COMMCARE Waiver

1-(800)-753-8827

A Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Individuals with TBI

 

OBRA Waiver

1-(800)-8827

A Home and Community-Based Waiver program that may help if you have a developmental physical disability to allow you to live in the community and remain as independent as possible.

 

  1. Other Information

 

Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania

1-(800)-516-8052

A nonprofit organization of brain injury survivors, family members, and friends dedicated to increasing public awareness about acquired brain injury, and to providing support, education, information, advocacy, and other services for individuals with brain injuries and their families.

 

Brainline.org

(703)-998-2020

Preventing, treating, and living with TBI

 

Immunizations / Vaccinations

 

  1. PA Department of Health

 

Division of Immunizations

(717)-787-5681

 

PA Vaccines for Children Program

(888)-646-6864

Free vaccines for uninsured children (877)-724-3258

 

Legal Advocacy for the Disabled in PA

 

  1. Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg: 1-(800)-692-7443 or (717)-236-8110

TDD: (717)-346-0239

Philadelphia: (215)-238-8070

Their mission is to advance, protect, and advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of PA residents with disabilities

 

  1. PA Health Law Project

1-(800)-274-3258

Advocacy on access to health care for low-income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Transportation Assistance for the Disabled

 

  1. PA Care Planning Council

 

Community Disability, Assistive Technology & Transportation Service

Lists companies and individual providers who help families deal with the crisis and burden of long term care

 

  1. PA Department of Human Services

 

Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)

1-(800)-990-4287 or (610)-253-8333

MATP provides transportation to medical appointments for Medical Assistance recipients who do not have transportation available to them. The individual’s county of residence will provide the type of transportation that is the least expensive while still meeting their needs.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance and Job Training for the Disabled

 

  1. PA Department of Labor and Industry

 

Office Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVR)

OVR provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. OVR Directory is arranged by district office and counties served

 

Post Secondary Education/Training, Community Living, and Employment Opportunities

 

  1. The Family Reference Guide

 

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21

(610) 769-4111 Schnecksville, PA 18078-2597

The Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sex, or non-relevant handicap in activities, programs, and employment practices.

 

Carbon Career & Technical Institute

Free GED Classes

570-325-3682 ext 1517

In partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College. Classes are offered on site with day and evening sessions available. Classes are leveled to meet the individual needs of each student after participating in the placement testing.

CCTI- Jim Thorpe LAHS- Lehighton

150 West 13th Street 1 Indian Lane

JIm THorpe, PA 18229 Lehighton, PA 18235

Tues/Wed/Thurs from 12:00pm-3:00pm Mon and Wed 6:00pm -9:00 pm

Or

Tues/Wed/Thurs from 3:00 pm-6:00pm

 

Adult Education

150 West 13th Street Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

www.carboncti.org/adult-education

570-325-3682 ext 1517