Resources for
People with Special Needs
In Blair County
Help Finding Services
The Center for Independent Living
Information and Referral:
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Transition from High School to Community Living
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Nursing Home Transition
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... Steps to begin receiving services: Individuals may call the office and an Independent Living Specialist will contact the individual. Phone Number: 814-949-1905 Hours of Operation: Monday -Tuesday 8am -4pm, Friday by appointment Address: 3013 Beale Ave Ste B102 Altoona PA 16601 Email Address: mdombrowski@cilscpa.org Eligibility Requirements: Individuals self-declare that they have a significant disability. The CILSCPA service region includes: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana and Somerset Counties. Cost: CILSCPA is funded through a grant from the Federal Government. There is no cost for consumers. This organization would also like you to know: We help students learn and maintain the independent living skills that they need to lead full lives in a community setting. All Service Categories the CIL is listed under: Finding Employment Employment training Support Groups Independent Living Help Finding Services
NAMI Education Day
What: Each month we either have a guest speaker come in from one of the area agencies to share information about what their agency does and how they can help. Or, we have an educational piece related to mental health with a small activity.
When: The 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm
Where: 711 9th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Blair County PA
Steps to begin Recieving Services: Contact our office via email: office.blairnami@gmail.com or phone 814-327-7083 You can call or visit our website for dates and times of support groups and/or education classes. People are welcome to just show up to support group without advance calling. But registration is required for mental health courses. This allows us to know how much materials to have on hand. Address: 711 9th Ave. Suite #2 Altoona, PA 16602 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 3:00 Phone Number: 814-327-7083 Email Address: office.blairnami@gmail.com Eligibility Requirements: NAMI does not require insurance for the use of their services. We do have memberships that give unlimited accesses to individuals and/or families to all of NAMI’S tools, services and supports. But, individuals may also attend mental health courses and support groups free of charge without a membership. Cost: Our services are provided at no cost to everyone Do you accept private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare: No need for insurance Benefits Counseling: We will give referrals for in this area Help to pay for services: Not needed. We occasionally receive donations to provide scholarships. Services: Help Finding Resources Mental Health Education Mental Health Programs and Advocacy One-on-one assistance: We can refer to one-on-one assistance While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: NAMI provides presentations and programs for children as young as 4 years old all the way through college. To learn more, go to: https://www.namiblaircountypa.org (button to website can be found below) Weekly/monthly activities Schedule: Calendar of events will be updated as new programs come along on our website. Social Media: (All have a button below) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAMIBlairCountyPA, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nami-blair-county-020594211/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NamiBlair @BlairNami Instagram: NAMI Blair County PA Instagram @namiblair Important Facts about NAMI Membership: **Note: Individuals and/or families may attend NAMI programs free of charge (except for the annual conference, there is a fee for that) even if they are not a member** Why NAMI Membership Matters: You become the VOICE for those who have no voice. It provides ADVOCACY for individuals and their families Afflicted or Dealing with a Mental Health Condition. There is STRENGTH in NUMBERS It provides a forum for Mental Health Legislation REFORM. Membership will increase Blair County's REPRESENTATION with both state and national organizations Membership helps offset the cost of program materials, thus enabling us to keep our PROGRAMS FREE to everyone (ex: support groups, education courses, training, etc) MemberBenefits Include: - Membership at NAMI Blair County PA comes with a subscription to our flagship magazine NAMI ADVOCATE. - Up to date information and opportunities to participate in clinical studies, legislation and public policy surveys and REFORM. -FULL ONLINE ACCESS to all NAMI features and forums on the NAMI National website. -Members only DISCOUNTS at the online NAMI store. -EXCLUSIVE invitations and discounts to all NAMI events, including NAMI national & local conferences. -Members only ACCESS to our local free lending library. -VOLUNTEER opportunities, celebrations and much more. The different membership levels are: - $60 per year for a Household membership that includes all members of a household living at the same address -$40 per year for a Regular membership which is an individual membership for one person -$5 per year for an Open Door membership for an individual member with limited financial resources
CONTACT Altoona
Help with Finding Resources:
Helpline: 814-946-9050 - helps Blair County residents find services they need connected with. Anyone can call in to talk about whatever they need to talk about.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... Steps does to begin receiving services: Call our office 814-946-9050 for an application or can complete one on our website www.contactaltoona.com (Button to website can be found below). Organization Address: 2729 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA 1660 Hours of Operation: Admin Office Monday - Friday 9am-2pm but Helpline calls completed from 7am-11pm 365 days a year. Phone Number: Office: 814-946-0531 Helpline: 814-946-9050 Email Address: contactoffice@contactaltoona.com Eligibility Requirements: Free service for Blair County residents. Must be 18 years or older for Reassurance Program but anyone can call our Helpline. Cost: It's free. We are a non-profit organization. To learn more, go to: https://contactaltoona.com/ While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: We offer peace of mind to families and help clients stay independent longer. All Service Categories the CIL is listed under: Help finding Resources Independent Living
The Arc of Blair County
Will provide guidance and help you connect with other agencies and services.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... Contact the Arc so we can better determine the best method of support and need. Organization Address: 431 Jackson Avenue, Altoona PA 16602 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm by appointment. Phone Number: 814-946-1011 Email Address: mail@thearcblair.org Eligibility Requirements: There is no eligibility required. The Arc is not government funded it is privately operated. Whomever needs assistance receives assistance. Limited paperwork needed. Cost: Zero To learn more, go to: www.thearcblair.org Weekly/monthly activities Schedules can be found on our social media pages (Buttons for these can be found below): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcblair/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheArcBlair Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thearcblair/ Also click on The Arc Newsletter Sample button below. One-on-one assistance is available. All Service Categories the Arc is listed under: Independent Living Help Finding Services
Center for Community Resources
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Supports Coordination- supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, or medically complex diagnoses to locate, coordinate, and monitor waiver and non-waiver funded services.
To Learn more or begin recieving these services.... What steps does someone need to take to begin receiving services/attend your program? Individuals would need to access the Administrative Entity (AE) to start intake process. (For list of AEs go to Flow Chart page of this website). Organization Address: 1331 12th Ave Ste 106, Altoona, PA 16601 Hours of Operation: 8-4:30pm typically Phone number: 412-638-8500 Email: jingersoll@ccrinfo.org Eligibility Requirements: Must go through the county Administrative Entity (AE) for eligibility specific information. What is the cost for the people you serve? N/A Is there any help to pay for services? N/A Is there benefits counseling? No Do you accept private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare? Yes Please paste a link to your website so that people can learn more about your program? https://ccrinfo.org/ One-on-one assistance is available. While determining which resources are the best for you or your loved one, this organization would like you to know: I always suggest getting set up with supports coordination regardless of age but preferably before graduating high school.