Where to find help
Penn State University’s Kinship Care Locator
As part of Penn State University’s Inter-generational Program, the Kinship Care Locator is an online database of resources for kinship caregivers. You can find relevant resources by selecting your country of interest.
Contact:
WEB: www.aese.psu.edu/extension/intergenerational/program-areas/kinship/programs
Country Assistance Offices
County Assistance Offices can help Pennsylvanians identify and apply for available benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Works, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Contact:
WEB: www.dhs.pa.gov
PHONE: 1-800-692-7462
TTY/TDD: 1-800-451-5886
Compass
Residents can also search for benefits using COMPASS, an online tool that allows users to find out what benefits they quality for and apply for those benefits online.
Contact:
Area Agencies on Aging
Some Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) offer a Caregiver or Grandparent Support Program which can provide resources, support groups and financial assistance to grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Contact:
WEB: www.aging.pa.gov
Phone: 1-800-753-8827
PA Department of Aging
View resources, publications and reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Contact:
WEB: www.aging.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Phone: 717-783-1550
Family Caregiver Alliance
The mission of Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. For over 40 years, FCA has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers.
Contact:
WEB: www.caregiver.org
Phone: 800-445-8106
Caregiver Action Network
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.
Contact:
WEB: www.caregiveraction.org
Phone: 855-227-3640
Elder Care Locator
The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator has been linking those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging, as well as community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Contact:
WEB: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Phone: 800-677-1116
Your Local Social Security Office
You can search for your local Social Security Office and contact them to determine if you or your grandchild(ren) are eligible for any additional benefits.
Contact:
WEB: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
PA Department of Health County Resources Guides
The Department of Health has created guides for available health and human services in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Each guide contains resources for children with special needs, health insurance, housing and more.
Contact:
WEB: www.health.pa.gov
United Way of Pennsylvania
When you call you will be connected with a United Way operator who has access to a database of health and human services resources available in local areas. These services include support groups, counseling centers, relevant non-profit organizations and more.
Contact:
WEB: www.uwp.org
Phone: 211 or 717-238-7365
Special Kids Network
The Special Kids Network offers a wealth of resources for children and youth with special needs or physical disabilities. The Network offers referrals to local resources, in-home coordination services and systematic support for families.
Contact:
WEB: www.health.pa.gov
Phone: 1-800-986-4550
PA Families
PA Families is a non-profit that offers a database of resources for families caring for children with emotional, behavioral or special needs. You can find resources by searching for your county and/or the type of services you are seeking.
Contact:
WEB: www.pafamiliesinc.org
Phone: 1-800-947-4941
Email: info@pafamiliesinc.org
Grandfamilies Fact Sheet
The PA Family Support Alliance is a non-profit that provides education, support and training to help ensure the safety of children throughout Pennsylvania. The website includes many parenting resources as well as information on events they frequently hold in different communities throughout the state.
Contact:
WEB: www.pa-fsa.org
Phone: 1-800-448-4906
Pennsylvania Child Welfare Services
Pennsylvania’s Child Welfare Services include information and contact info for County Children and Youth offices, local family centers, and resources for preventing child abuse and neglect.
Contact:
WEB: www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/childwelfareservices
Phone: 1-800-932-0313
Bereavement Resource Guide
This resource guide includes information about Pennsylvania organizations available to help children and families affected by grief and addiction.
Contact:
WEB: www.elunanetwork.org/assets/guides/BereavementResourceGuide_Pennsylvania.pdf
AARP
AARP is a United States-based interest group whose stated mission is “to empower people to choose how they live as they age”. According to the organization, it had more than 38 million members as of 2018
Contact:
WEB: www.aarp.org
Phone: 1-888-687-2277
Generations United
Generations United improves the lives of children, youth, and older adults through intergenerational programs, policies, and strategies.
We work to create a country where public policy and programs connect generations instead of separate or isolate them; and where the oldest and youngest members of our society work together to achieve transformational change.
Contact:
WEB: www.gu.org
Phone: 1-202-289-3979
Representative Eddie Day Pashinski
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121, Luzerne) has established himself as a passionate and consensus-building voice in the General Assembly fighting for affordable health care for working Pennsylvanians, quality education for all students and commonsense tax reform.
Contact:
WEB: www.pahouse.com/Pashinski/grandparents
Phone: 570-825-5934
Representative Karen Boback
State Rep. Karen Boback represents the 117th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving all of Wyoming county and portions of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
Contact:
WEB: www.repboback.com
Phone: 1-800-278-3930
Pittston Memorial Library
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren main office is located within the Pittston Memorial Library. The Pittston Memorial Library is a non-profit corporation, 501c3.
Contact:
Howard J. Grossman
Chairman of the NEPA Intergenerational Coalition
WEB: www.nepagrg.org
Phone: 570-262-3443
Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Society and Education at PSU
Contact:
Matt Kaplan
Email: msk15@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-7871
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Contact:
WEB: www.alz.org
Phone: 1-800-272-3900
Grandfamilies.org
Grandfamilies.org serves as a national legal resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system. Our goals are to:
- educate individuals about state laws, legislation and policy in support of grandfamilies
- assist interested policymakers, advocates, caregivers, and attorneys in exploring policy options to support relatives and the children in their care
- provide technical assistance and training
Contact:
Kin Connector
Kin Connector is an information, referral and education program for kinship caregivers in Pennsylvania. Kinship caregivers are blood and non-blood relatives (i.e. teachers, coaches, and family friends) who care for children when their biological parents can’t.
Contact:
WEB: https://www.kinconnector.org/
Phone: 1-866-546-2111
Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. We have been featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes, as well as referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the Internet.
More information here:
https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/assisted-living-for-seniors-with-disabilities/