Resources for
People with Special Needs
In Blair County
Group Homes
Community And Residential Empowerment Services
C.A.R.E.S. of Central PA
Lifesharing is a residential program that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to live in a family home environment, share life experiences and pursue opportunities with supportive people. Individuals are empowered to live to their fullest potential by becoming active, participating members within their Lifesharing family and the communities they reside. Lifesharing allows for individuals with disabilities to live where they want, with whom they want, and live the lifestyle they desire.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... Organization Address: 2013 Sandy Drive State College, PA 16803 (Admin Office and Lifesharing). Hours of Operation: Lifesharing - 24 hours a day All office hours for each service are 8am to 4pm. Phone Number: Monica Miller 570-225-5514, she handles all referrals for each service Email Address: mmiller@caresofcentralpa.org Eligibility Requirements: To participate in services, the individual needs to be at least 18 years old and in most cases, needs a physical/TB test within the last year to start services. We provide our services all through the Central PA region. The individual's location is most pertinent to day program services as location would determine which day program the individual attends and what zone transportation they are located in. They would need funding through a waiver or they could private pay to attend services. Cost: The cost would depend on which service the individual is interested in and the amount of hours/days they would be attending that service. Most services are often waiver/county funded or can be billed through private pay. Individuals would contact their county's intellectual disabilities and mental health office to have a case opened and work with a case worker to work on obtaining funding. Help paying for services: Individuals would contact their county's intellectual disabilities and mental health office to have a case opened and work with a case worker to work on obtaining funding. Funding is needs based and sometimes there are waiting lists. Benefits counseling: We provide benefits counseling through our Employment Coordinator/Benefits Counselor, Emily Martin. Referrals for this service go through Monica Miller. Do you accept private insurance: For the services we offer, we would not use/bill an individual's insurance. Steps to begin receiving services: Any individual that is looking for day program services, lifesharing/respite services, employment services, or benefits counseling in the Central PA region would reach out to Monica Miller at 570-225-5514 or mmiller@caresofcentralpa.org to discuss the referral process for a CARES of Central PA service. While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: At C.A.R.E.S. of Central PA we are all about individual's choices and we are person centered. For day program, individuals are an integral part of their community. We are in the community at least 75% of the time at program working on building community connections, volunteering at local non-profit agencies, participating in educational and recreational activities, and working on skills that are important to each individual. Individuals help choose their daily activities each day to work on important skills such as time management, decision making, and team building skills. Many of our fun activities for day program can be seen on our "CARES of Central PA Inc," FaceBook page (Link Below). Our employment service has a high success rate of people obtaining employment and getting out into the workforce. Day program also helps prepare individuals for employment by volunteering, building community connections, and working on various skills to help them in the job seeking process. All Service Categories C.A.R.E.S. of Central PA is Listed Under: Day Program Finding Employment Employment Training Life Sharing Services Respite Services Benefits Counseling
The Crossroads Residential Program consists of 9 group homes at this time. Those residing in the group homes have gotten to know each other very well and will often visit one another. This is especially true during birthday and holiday celebrations. Community involvement is a big part of the Residential Program.
Crossroads Services, Inc.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... One-on-one assistance: Crossroads Services, Inc. offers one-on-one assistance at its Residential Program depending on each person's identified needs. Steps to begin receiving services: Any person interested in receiving services through Crossroads Services, Inc. should contact their Supports Coordinator for direct assistance. Address: 3601 5th Avenue, Altoona PA 16602 Hours of Operation: Residential - 24/7 Phone number: 814-515-1730 Email address: Day Program - Jaime Zaliznock (jzaliznock@csialtoona.org) Eligibility Requirements: Travel and accessibility would be the main requirements of eligibility for each of our services. Cost: Residential cost is undetermined at this time. Private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare: Crossroads does not accept private insurance at this time. Help paying for services: Crossroads receives funding from The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) through Fee for Service billing. Is there benefits counseling? Not at this time. While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: Crossroads has even had students attend our Day Program in the Summer months and during holidays while they were still attending school. This helps with the transition process and gives the family/person an idea of what they may like/prefer once the time comes for a complete transition from the school system. All Service Categories Crossroads is Listed Under: Day Programs Group Homes Behavioral Support
Skills of Central PA, Inc
Community Homes-The people we support may reside in a one, two, three or four bed home depending on their wants and needs. They have access to the following support:
-Fully trained Direct Support Professionals and Supervisors are available to provide assistance with personal care, assure health and safety, and support community participation.
-All employees are trained in Person Centered Thinking to best support the individual preferences of each program participant.
-LPN’s are available for medical care coordination and oversight, as well as staff training and assistance with medical treatments.
-Vehicles are provided for transportation needs 24 hours a day, including transportation to and from community employment.
-Access to our Representative Payee Services through regional administrative staff which includes assistance to join pooled trusts and establish accounts.
-Internal management staff is on call 24/7 to assist with any issues that cannot be handled by onsite staff.
Life Sharing- Lifesharing is a residential option for children and adults with a disability. Lifesharing offers an opportunity to live as part of an extended family in the community. Participants are given the choice of where they want to live, who they want to live with, and a lifestyle of their own.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... Steps does to begin receiving services: Once an individual makes a choice of services, intake meeting is set up with day services, support coordination, individual and family and or residential provider. Service requirements are reviewed. Once all required paperwork is obtained and completed as per licensing requirements a start date is established and services are started. Transportation is contacted by the support coordinator to learn what options or if this service is available. If transportation isn't available, the support coordinator will seek other means for transporting to and from services. Review website and reach out based on region. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm Community Homes (Blair County) Community Homes Address: 5016 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 Phone Number: 814-949-4800 (Cambria County) Community Homes Address: 957 Rowena Drive, Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone Number: 814-472-1031 (Centre County) Community Homes Address: 1225 Benner Pike, State College, PA, 16801 Phone Number: 814-272-0341 (Clearfield-Jefferson Counties) Community Homes Address: 1214 South 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 Phone Number: 814-205-4008 (Cumberland-Perry Counties) Community Homes Address: 600 Linden Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331 Phone Number: 717-630-2455 (Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata Counties) Community Homes Address: 6395 State Route 103 North, Building 35, Lewistown, PA 17044 Phone Number: 717-242-0313 (Lycoming-Clinton Counties) Community Homes Address: 1225 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 Phone Number: 814-272-0371 (York-Adams County) Community Homes Address: 600 Linden Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331 Phone Number: 717-630-2455 Life Sharing (Bedford and Somerset Counties) Lifesharing Address: 5016 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 Phone Number: 814-949-4800 (Blair County) Lifesharing Address: 5016 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 Phone Number: 814-949-4800 (Centre County) Lifesharing Address: 1225 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 Phone Number: 814-272-0341 (Clearfield-Jefferson Counties) Lifesharing Address: 1214 South 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 Phone Number: 814-205-4008 (Cumberland-Perry Counties) Lifesharing Address: 600 Linden Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331 Phone Number: 717-630-2455 (Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata Counties) Lifesharing Address: 6395 State Route 103 North, Building 35, Lewistown, PA 17044 Phone Number: 717-242-0313 (Lycoming-Clinton Counties) Lifesharing Address: 1225 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 Phone Number: 814-272-0371 (York-Adams County) Lifesharing Address: 600 Linden Avenue, Hanover PA 17331 Phone Number: 717-630-2455 (Cambria County) Lifesharing Address: 957 Rowena Drive, Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone Number: 814-472-1031 Email Address: https://www.skillsofcentralpa.org/contact/ Eligibility Requirements: 18 years or older or an organic brain disorder. People don't have to live in a specific area (however, transportation could be an issue, depending on the location of their residence). Individuals are required to be open with support coordination and be authorized for services. Individuals can self-pay, but this route may be fairly costly to the individual. Cost: Day services bills per every 15 minutes. Depending on the needs of the individual (staff to individual ratio) the cost varies. Help paying for services: Being authorized for services, typically pays for services. This authorization would determine the amount of time an individual would attend chosen service. Is there benefits counseling: N/A Do you accept private insurance: We currently don't have these sources as paying for day services. To learn more, go to: www.skillsofcentralpa.org (Button to website can be found below) While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: Activities are planned but with weather conditions and the interest of the individual, planned activities may change from day to day or week to week. The use of a communication book is beneficial to both the ATS staff as well as the parent/provider to keep current with what happened at the program or at home. Other Service Categories Skills is listed Under: Day Programs Respite Behavioral Support Independent Living Assisted Living Group Homes Employment Training Finding Employment
The Learning Community of PA
Home and Community Habilitation
Our Home and Community services are designed to help people learn, maintain, and retain skills that empowers them participate in a variety of daily activities.
We offer individualized, customer-driven supports that that emphasize a collaborative approach of working with families and other team members to help people become an active part of community life.
Our services are based on the careful matching of people to particular activities using services with compatible direct support professionals.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... What steps does someone need to take to begin receiving services/attend your program? If a person is not already signed up with an ODP waiver they can Self-refer to Southern Alleghenies Services Management 814-949-2912. A person can also Self-refer to Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 814-946-7240 Address: 125 Maple Hollow Road Duncansville, PA 16635-7920 Hours of Operation: Office hours are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Program Hours varies by plan development. Phone Number: 814-949-1905 Email address: clansberry@tlcofpa.org Eligibility Requirements: We are currently only providing services in Blair County. We accept Office of Developmental Programs, ODP, waivers, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, OVR, or private pay. What is the cost for the people you serve? Cost is predetermined by ODP and OVR. In most cases there is no cost to service seekers. Is there any help to pay for services? Funding through ODP and OVR Is there benefits counseling? Yes, we are certified to provide benefits counseling. Do you accept private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare? Private insurance does not cover the services we provide. Medicaid and Medicare are built into ODP waivers. To learn more, go to: https://tlcofpa.org/ FOR DAY PROGRAMS Is one-on-one assistance available? Yes Is there transportation to and from the program? Is there a fee for this? Transportation is part of all services with the exception of once a person is employed at a location. We will assist with connecting to public transportation where available. Schedule/Activities: Activities are customized to the person and their interest. While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: There are other options for most services. Picking the provider should be a matching fit that works for the service seeker and the provider. Other Service Categories the Learning Community is listed under: Finding Employment Employment training Independent Living Group Homes Assisted Living Benefits Counseling