Department of Health and Human Services

The mission of the Lackawanna County Department of Health and Human Services is to facilitate and support the development, coordination, and delivery of health and human services to County residents. The department utilizes their categorical program agencies to implement services that prevent, reduce or alleviate health and human service related issues, which affect an individual’s quality of life.

Following are the departments and offices, which comprise the Health and Human service system in Lackawanna County: Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, Lackawanna County Children & Youth Services, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug & Alcohol Programs, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health / Intellectual Disabilities / Early Intervention Program, Lackawanna County Child Care Information Services, Lackawanna County Special Services (Homeless Assistance Programs, Human Services Development Fund, Center for Family Engagement).

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and the Lackawanna County Department of Health and Human Services with the support of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) are raising awareness about asthma and allergies by providing facts, tips, and information to educate others about these diseases. Some helpful quick facts include:

• There is no cure for asthma. The best way to manage asthma is to avoid triggers, take medicine to prevent symptoms and prepare to treat attacks.

• Common asthma symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.

• An asthma episode, also called an asthma flare-up or asthma attack, can happen any time. Mild symptoms may only last a few minutes while more severe asthma symptoms can last hours or days.

• Up to 60% of adults and 80% of kids with asthma also have allergies that trigger their asthma also known as allergic asthma.

• SPRING ALLERGY TIP: Keep your windows closed and remove your shoes before entering your home to cut down how much pollen gets inside your home.

For additional information, please find the attached flyers below and visit the AAFA website at https://www.aafa.org/asthma-and-allergy-awareness-month/

Flyers

Easter Flower Fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of The Year Campaign

Florist Quality 6” diameter Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, and Lily from Jerry’s for All Seasons

Tulips, Hyacinths, and Daffodils $10.00

Easter Lily $11

All items can be picked up at Jerry’s For All Seasons located at 201 Jessup Street, Dunmore, PA. 18512. Pickup can begin on April 11^th until April 13, 2022.

Forms of acceptable payment-cash, check,

Venmo @Holly-Loughney

Payment due by Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Voucher will

Be distributed between April 4^th – April 6th

Lackawanna County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Counties with the Highest COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Pennsylvania

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Pennsylvania using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest vaccination rate as of Feb. 24, 2022. Due to inconsistencies in reporting, some counties do not have vaccination data available.

PA Department of Aging Encourages Older Adults to Prepare for the Transition to 5G Cellular Service

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is reminding seniors with older devices to learn about the potential impacts related to the shutdown of the 3G network service and prepare accordingly. The shutdown involves the nation’s three major wireless carriers and could occur as soon as this month.

As the 3G network retires, individuals will not be able to make or receive calls and text messages or use data services on their older phones. The shutdown could also impact other devices that rely on 3G connectivity, including medical alert devices, tablets, home security systems, and roadside assistance systems.

“Many seniors utilize their cell phones and tablets for entertainment and to stay connected with family and friends. These devices and others are also lifesavers, and they can make a difference when seconds count,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “I urge older adults to learn the status of their device’s connectivity before it shuts down on them unexpectedly and to find out what actions their carriers may be taking to help them with making a smooth transition to the 5G network.”

The carriers are directly notifying users of the devices that utilize the 3G network to inform them if the discontinuation impacts them. However, seniors with older phones that they use only to contact 911 for emergencies may not receive a notification if they do not have active service with a carrier.

Mobile service providers may be offering older adults special deals on new devices, including some deals that may include a new phone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may be able to assist older adults with switching to a new device using either of its two programs:

The Lifeline Program provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers. More information, including eligibility, how to apply and participating providers can be found here.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides a temporary discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information, including eligibility and what it covers is here.

Additional information about the transition to 5G can be found on the FCC’s website.

Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here and on the Department of Aging’s Facebook page.

Major Mobile Carriers are Retiring 3G Services in 2022. Here is What You Need to Know

UPS Donates Backpacks & Supplies to County Office of Youth & Family Services

UPS donated 500 backpacks filled with school supplies along with other materials for the new school year for the youngsters The Lackawanna County Office of Youth & Family Services works with. The materials were delivered on August 27 and caseworkers immediately distributed the items to families and also dropped them off at various districts throughout the County. Members of the UPS and Human Services staffs display the supplies that were donated.

Kick COVID-19 Community Corps Urges Area Organizations & Leaders to Join Fight Against Health Misinformation

Scranton, Pa., July 29, 2021 – On July 15, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory for individuals and organizations to join a nationwide effort to confront the urgent threat of health misinformation. To support this effort, Kick COVID-19 Community Corps is asking area schools, businesses, organizations, and community leaders to join its partner organizations in committing to and promoting five simple and actionable steps.

Commissioners Message about getting the COVID – 19 Vaccine

Thousands Head to Montage Mountain for Vaccine Clinic

Lackawanna County Gains High Ranking For Vaccine Distribution

PA Department of Aging Assembles Public-Private Task Force to Address Financial Exploitation of Older Adults

Lackawanna County COVID-19 Older Adults Communal Setting Testing Program

The Lackawanna County Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Domenick, Esq., and Chris Chermak have further deepened their commitment to combating the COVID-19 virus on all fronts by organizing a consortium of local health and social service agencies to provide testing for older adults in local communal settings throughout the area.

The County, its Area Agency on Aging and its Office of Economic Planning & Development have teamed-up with The Wright Center, NeighborWorks NEPA, United Neighborhood Centers, the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties, and Telespond Senior Services to provide testing for those over the age of 60 that are living in communal settings.

The Commissioners stressed that the impetus for this action is to safeguard a very valuable and vulnerable segment of our population who may not have access to either testing or transportation to get a facility.

The goal of the program is to reach 55 communal setting locations in every part of Lackawanna County. The initiative is prioritizing high risk buildings, but also casting a large net to provide as many diverse testing locations as possible. The testing program, scheduled to kick-off December 30, will continue as long as the resources and test kits are available.

Each communal location will be surveyed for interest and given a testing date as resources are made available. The facility must provide the number of tests needed beforehand. The testing will not be done on a first come, first serve basis, but rather who registered beforehand. The program will not guarantee the ability to provide testing if the individual has not preregistered.

As the tests become available, the Area Agency on Aging will identify the locations and coordinate the testing and information dissemination with the community partners. Interested individuals will be asked have to share their insurance information but will bear no cost or copay for the test or results. Even if an individual is not insured, the test will be covered at no cost.

Testing will be completed on site in the Wright Centers Mobil Unit. Volunteers and Aging staff will be on-hand to coordinate logistics, and Telespond will provide support for those who need assistance due to mobility challenges.

The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging will Distribute Vouchers for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program fillable PDF Application

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Mail-in Application

Department of Health Warns of Scam Targeting WIC Recipients

PA Council on Aging Releases Findings from Survey of Older Adults During Pandemic

The Department of Human Services Support Hotline

The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced the launch of a Statewide Support & Referral Helpline staffed by skilled and compassionate staff who will be available 24/7 to assist Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to community-based resources that can further help to meet individual needs.

The toll-free, round-the-clock support line is officially operational.

The number to call is 1-855-284-2494

For TTY, dial 724-631-5600

Quick and Easy Survey for all Pennsylvanians…

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has created the “Access to Food Survey.” This survey will give better understanding to the Department and sister-agencies to address the needs of residents across the commonwealth.

Please Share/Tag this post to all of your close Pennsylvanians

County’s Youth & Family Services Office Operations Brief

The Office of Youth and Family Services will continue to do all regulatory requirements, including Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations, as well as assessing safety of High Risk cases.

Reports of child abuse and neglect can be made directly to the ChildLine Number, 1-800-932-0313.

Requests for in-person reports can be made to the general OYFS number 570-963-6781, and they will be triaged for a response.

As per the State DHS Office of Children Youth and Families, mandated reporters are encouraged to report electronically via the Child Welfare Portal https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home. All others can continue to call the general OYFS number 570-963-6781.

Lackawanna County Pharmacy Delivery List

Grocery Stores Delivery List

Dear Elder Justice Colleagues,

The FTC is disseminating information about a scam where scammers are trying to get social security numbers and money. The scammers claim the consumer’s social security number was linked to a crime, and directed the consumer to withdraw money from their bank account.

Please tell people in your community about this scam. Let them know the calls are fake. No one should respond to an unexpected call about their social security number, even if the caller ID says “SSA” or displays 1-800-772-1213, the SSA’s phone number. If you’re worried about a call that claims to be from SSA, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Below is a recent FTC blog post about the scam. You can help by forwarding the post, or linking to the original at www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/12/fake-calls-about-your-ssn.

Fake calls about your SSN

December 12, 2018

by Jennifer Leach

Acting Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

Information and Resources

Lackawanna County H.S. Plan SFY 2012-13