Every American should lock their credit. This PowerPoint explains how, as well as explaining other current scams.
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Do you need help but do not know what services are available? Visit the PA Link to Community Cares for information.
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The Pennsylvania Link is committed to the federal government's "No Wrong Door" vision. To read about the plan to make it easier for consumers to discover and access services, read the attached pdf. |
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Not sure where to turn for help or what services you might be eligible for? The Link sponsors a service called Person Centered Counseling. You can call a counselor at the below locations and receive information based on your needs, values and preferences and receive assistance through the process of securing services that help you stay in your home. There is no age, income eligibility or charge for Person Centered Counseling - everyone may receive this service.
Person Centered Counseling is currently being offered through:
Bucks County:
The Bucks County Department of Aging 267-880-5700
The Bucks County Center for Independent Living 215-781-5070
JEVs 215-728-4436
Chester County:
The Chester County Department of Aging 610-344-6350 TTY #: 610-344-5233
Cerebral Palsy of Chester County: 610-524-5850
Surrey Services 610-647-6404
United Disability Services 888-837-4235
Montgomery County:
The Montgomery County Department of Aging (610) 278-3601
JEVs 215-728-4436
The Montgomery County Navicates Norristown 610-278-3522 Lansdale 267-278-1286 Pottstown 610-970-2979 Willow Grove 215-784-5482 Pennsburg/East Greenville 610-970-2979 Souderton 267-263-0048 Ambler 215-784-5482 Ambler 215-784-5482 Lower Merion 610-278-3522
Resources in the Bucks Chester Montgomery County Region:
Abuse:
Bucks County Elder Abuse: 800-243-3767
Chester County Elder Abuse: 800-564-7000
Montgomery County Elder Abuse: 800-734-2020
Bucks County Domestic Violence: 800-220-8116
Chester County Domestic Violence: 888-711-6270
Montgomery County Domestic Violence: 800-773-2424
Aging and Disability Resource Center:
PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources
County by county list of ADRCs
Lancaster County ADRC
Benefits & Rights:
PA Benefits & Rights Booklet for Older Americans
Caregivers:
Guide for caregivers
Care transitions between settings:
The Hospital to Home project
National Transitions of Care Coalition
Care Transitions Intervention (CTI)
Transitional Care Model (TCM)
Better Outcomes for Older Adults (Boost)
The Bridge Model
Chester County Transformation Initiative - Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families:
The following publications and additional information are available at www.Facebook.com/Transformation.Ini A weekly E-Update and Calendar of Events of primarily-free activities for individuals and families; and an E-UpdateResourcesTM guide of primarily-free area, state and federal programs are available by sending an e-mail with Subscribe in the Subject line, along with your name, organization, community and where you heard about the publications to [email protected]
Centers for independent Living:
Bucks County: The Bucks County Center for Independent Living. (215) 781-5070
Chester and Montgomery Counties: Freedom Valley. (610) 353-6640
Drug and Alcohol:
The PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has established a hotline for individuals and/or their loved ones who are seeking drug and alcohol treatment services. The phone number is 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Emergency Preparedness:
Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide
Multiple links on emergency preparedness from Disability.gov
Emergency preparedness for the disabled
Emergency preparedness for older adults
Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network
Guide to including people with disabilities in disaster preparedness planning
Employment:
Employment support for individuals with a disability
PA Career Link
Financial:
Tips to avoid financial exploitation
Report suspected financial exploitation
Guide to financial help for low income individuals
Food Pantries:
Food Pantries in Bucks County
Chester County Food Bank
Montgomery County Food Cupboards
General:
Bucks County Resource Directory for Older Adults
Bucks County downloadable resource guide- see pdf at top of this page
Chester County Community Resource Directory
Chester County downloadable resource guide- see pdf at top of this page
211 Database of services
Guide to getting help in your community
Benefit Finder
Government:
The Department of Aging
The Office of Long Term Living
The Administration for Community Living
Benefits Check-up
Social Security benefits eligibility screening tool
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health:
Advocacy and legal services - The Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Local help with the Affordable Care Act
One page guide to the health insurance marketplace
Prescription drug assistance programs
Disability Navigator
Webinar on housing policy and health determinants
Mesothelioma Guide
Housing:
Where to go for help with rental issues in Chester County
Free service to list and find affordable housing
Guide to housing counseling agencies
The Bucks County Housing Group
Chester County Homelessness - Connect Points
Chester County Emergency Housing Services
Montgomery County Homeless Prevention Center - call 1-877-646-6306.
Disability.gov's guide to housing
HUD multi-family housing complaint line
Hospitals:
Compare Hospitals
Legal:
Guide to legal services for senior citizens
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
Employment laws - disability and discrimination
Law Offices of Michelle Berk
Long Term Care:
Guide to long term care planning
Nursing Homes:
Medicare's Nursing Home Compare
Senior Centers:
Bucks
Chester
Montgomery
Scams:
The Anatomy of a Scam
Scam involving PACE program
Technology:
Guide to assistive technology
Assistive technology for seniors
Pennsylvania initiative on assistive technologies
Support Groups
Online support group for lgbtqi people with early onset dementia
Veterans:
Veterans Multi Service Center serving Bucks, Chester, Montgomery - Operating Base Cecilia
Veterans Affairs Bucks
Veterans Affairs Chester
Veterans Affairs Montgomery
Montgomery County shared ride to Coatesville Medical Center: 610-278-3285
Coatesville Medical Center
Homeless Veterans Hotline: 1-877-424-3838
VA Health Resource Center Help Desk: 1-800-983-0935
Supportive Services for Veteran's families:
Bucks County: Community Hope, Inc. [email protected] 1-855-483-8466
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Practical Ways to Connect a Veteran to Services and Supports
Connect with a County Director of Veterans Affairs
Veterans are encouraged to reach out to their County Director of Veterans Affairs. These individuals are a wealth of knowledge about local, state, and federal programs and supports. One call or meeting could shed light on a variety of benefits and services for which the veteran is eligible. A current list of County Directors and their contact information can be found at http://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Documents/Outreach-and-Reintegration/County_directors.pdf
County Directors can also assist former military service members in the process of registering their DD 214 with their county for safe-keeping. A DD 214 (certificate of release or discharge from active duty) is needed when applying for veterans benefits, supports and programs. If a veteran does not have a copy of their DD 214, they can seek assistance from their County Director of Veterans Affairs in obtaining one, or they can request it online at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
PA Veterans Registry - online
Veterans are encouraged to register online with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) via the PA Veterans Registry. This is an online application that allows veterans to connect with DMVA and request information related to valuable state benefits, programs and services. All registrants’ information will be shared with County Directors of Veterans Affairs and other Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies in order to facilitate local connections. By connecting with DMVA, veterans can also opt-in to receive timely communications such as newsletters, press releases and program updates. Register online at https://register.dmva.pa.gov/
Apply for Enrollment in the VA Health Care System
Veterans are encouraged to find out if they qualify for enrollment in the VA Health Care system. Locations and contact information for VA facilities in Pennsylvania can be found at http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/
The 10-10EZ, is an online form used to apply for enrollment in the VA Health Care system. You can find the form at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/1010EZ-fillable.pdf
(Note: Eligibility may depend on the individual’s military service.)
Mental Health / Veterans in Crisis
Connect veterans experiencing behavioral health issues to supports such as their local Vet Center. Find the Vet Center location serving their county of residence at http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/
Connect a veteran in crisis to the National Veteran Crisis Line - #1-800-273-8255, press 1.
Find information on other mental health services available through the VA at http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
Employment
Veterans looking for employment, job search assistance, and other related services can find help from the Veterans Employment Representative at their local CareerLink office. To find the nearest CareerLink office, call (866) 858-2753 or visit https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/PaCareerLink/Index.htm
Homelessness
Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness can benefit immensely from contacting the Homeless Care Team operating at the VA Medical Center serving the county. This Care Team can connect the veteran with a wide variety of services such as emergency housing, HUD VASH vouchers and other housing/homeless services. There may be eligibility criteria for these programs.
Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) is another program available to assist veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. With SSVF, eligible veterans and their families can receive assistance with housing as well as other areas of need such as case management, employment, substance abuse and mental health issues, and benefits counseling. There are several ways in which you can connect to this support:
- A list of community agencies administering the SSVF grant in PA can be found at http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp. Select the first link under ‘Announcements’ and scroll down to find PA and view each grantee and the counties they cover.
- You can also search for the nearest VA Medical Center and its Homeless Care Team at http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1
- Or call the national Help for Homeless Veterans number - #1-877-4AID-VET or (877) 424-3838 – ask for the VA Medical Center/Homeless Care Team serving your county.
Connect to Organizations and Local Posts
Veterans may be interested in connecting to fellow service members through a variety of organizations such as those that currently sit on the State Veterans’ Commission.
- The American Legion
- AMVETS
- Blinded Veterans Association
- Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Jewish War Veterans of the United States
- Marine Corps League
- Military Order of the Purple Heart
- State Association of County Directors of Veterans’ Affairs
- Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Italian-American War Veterans of the United States
- The Vietnam Veterans of America
- American Ex-Prisoners of War
- Keystone Paralyzed Veterans Association
- Military Officers Association of America
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA )www.dmva.pa.gov or #1-800-54PAVET (1-800-547-2838)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website – www.va.gov National Veterans Crisis Line - #1-800-273-8255, press 1
To search for VA facilities (medical, benefits, cemetery), click the link below and type in your address or zip code. You can filter by type of facility and distance. http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/
Veterans Health Administration website – http://www.va.gov/health/(Information such as health benefits; conditions and treatments; wellness
programs; medical center/hospital and outpatient clinic locations; behavioral health services; information for special groups such as women veterans, rural veterans, homeless veterans, caregivers)
Veterans Benefits Administration website - http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ (Information such as compensation; education and training; vocational
rehabilitation and employment; home loans; life insurance; pension; benefits for special groups such as WWII, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, Incarcerated veterans, LGBT veterans, minority veterans, veterans living abroad, women veterans, etc.)
National Cemetery Administration website - http://www.cem.va.gov/ (Information such as burial and memorial benefits; burial flags; headstones, markers and medallions; veteran cemetery grants; survivor’s benefits; etc.)
Veteran's Caregivers:
Caregiver Telephone Support Group: For caregivers of all era caring for Veterans with chronic medical and mental health conditions. Twice a month on Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:50 am by telephone. For information and registration, contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator: Maureen K. Miller, 610-384-7711 x 5310. Co-Facilitators will be: Rita Coyne or Cathy Plaisted, 610-384-7711, extension 3970 or 6081.
A Caregiver Support Group for Caregivers caring for dementia: For family caregivers of Veterans with dementia offered on the second Tuesday of the month at CVAMC, Bldg. 138B, Community Living Center at 11am. For information and registration, contact group facilitator, Melanie Challstrom at 610-384-7711 x 3105.
Caregiver Support Group (Visual Impairment): For family & friends of Veterans with visual impairment on Wednesdays 1-2 quarterly, Bldg. 5 Room 2. For information and registration, contact group facilitator: Dr. Hertz at 610-384-7711 x 6801//6821.
The Coatesville VA Mobile Adult Day Health Care Program for veterans: Downingtown VFW 4601 West Lincoln Highway Downingtown, PA on Tuesdays, Folsom VFW Post 928 1805 McDade Blvd. Folsom, PA 19033 on Thursdays,
Parkesburg VFW Post 4480 406 4th Avenue Parkesburg, PA 19365 Wednesdays Spring City American Legion Post 602 25 North Main Street, Fridays
West Chester VFW 837 Lincoln Avenue West Chester, PA 19380, Mondays
All VA Mobile Adult Day Health Care Programs run from 10:00-2:00 pm. Contact Bryant Bookman 610-384-7711 ext. 4888. See Flyer for details.
National Caregiver Support Line monthly calls: Monthly national education calls with opportunity to listen three times a month. Please contact Maureen Miller for registration at least 5 days prior to the scheduled call. You will need an access code for entering the conference call.
Building Better Caregivers: An interactive Online, 6 week workshop, designed to help Caregivers of all eras to better problem solve and to better manage their own emotions, stress, and physical health.
S.H.A.R.E.: Support, Help, and Refreshing Encouragement: The Face to Face Caregivers Support Group for Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia (all levels) is scheduled the third Thursday of every month at 1 pm at the Spring City State Veteran’s Home in Spring City, PA. The meetings are held in the meeting room in the new personal care wing, main level, across from the Chapel.
Connections Group: Connections is a support and education program for family members living with a Veteran who has a mental health and/or substance use condition. Telephone support group on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Meeting is in person every quarter 5:30pm-7pm at CVAMC Bldg. 57A, Room 223. For information or registration, contact group facilitator: Jenna Mercadante, Psychologist, at 610-384-7711 x 2252.
PTSD Support Group for caregivers and family members: meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 2:30-4 pm in Bldg. 57B, Room 223. Call Dr. Hertz for registration or information at 610-384-7711 extension 6821 or 6801.
Caregiver Self Care Courses: Four 3 hour, in person classroom trainings on the following topics: Managing Stress, Problem Solving & Effective Communication, Taking Care of Yourself, and Utilizing Technology. Classes are led by trained Easter Seal Facilitators. Contact Maureen Miller or Phyllis Hartman if interested.
Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Program: Links Caregivers to one another to share their experiences, wisdom, and skills. Mentors receive training and support prior to being matched with mentees.
Please contact Maureen Miller at 610-384-7711 extension 5310, at 610-384-7711, for registration.