Autism Awareness – NEPA is a not for profit community organization, whose goal is to promote awareness and to support community programs for individuals with Autism in Luzerne County. This event is being conducted under the auspices of the Luzerne Foundation. Grants are made available every year to support the ongoing provision and enhancement of community programs.

An early intervention program for individuals between the ages of 15-25 who are experiencing early signs of psychosis or their first episode of psychosis. Treatment is provided by a specialty coordinated care team. Services include: outpatient therapy, medication management, mobile therapy, case management, family education and support.

Provides services and resources to blind and visually impaired people. Services include non-medical information and referral, the ACB Braille Forum (available in braille, large print, digital cartridge, email, online, and podcast), the ACB E-Forum (available via email, online, and podcast), legislative and governmental monitoring, scholarship assistance, and public education.

Advocates are available to work with survivors in order to achieve their goals. They help domestic and sexual violence survivors navigate many of the systems for assistance.

AMVETS implements programs for and advocates on behalf of veterans and their families. AMVETS National Service Officers (NSOs) are stationed at VA regional offices and medical centers and provide information, counseling and claims assistance to all veterans and their dependents in matters concerning education, disability compensation, employment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pension and other benefits. Annually awards scholarships to veterans and their dependents. Automobile donations are accepted through the national office.

Provides a community organizing model that puts community at the front of criminal defense.

Trains physicians, nurses, medical students, and other medical professionals to recognize the signs of domestic abuse. Provides on-site support when available to victims at local hospitals. Develops and distributes resource materials which are used by hospitals and health care providers when they are dealing with victims of domestic violence.

Independent Living Solutions offers housing placement assistance to people with disabilities by providing individual assistance, education, outreach and coordination of resources.

Provides advocacy services for persons with disabilities and their families.

Welcome Home Checklist Please Note: If you are a severely disabled Veteran and need any special accommodations, please identify that to your service officer or career counselor when making appointments. Receive your DD 214 Things to do within one year from Separation Have your DD 214 recorded in the County Recorder's Office for FREE

• Safeguard all your records. You will need them again.

Visit your County Director of Veterans Affairs (normally located in the County Courthouse) or Accredited Service Organization Representative for FREE

• Take a copy of all your records with you for your appointment: Service Medical Records; Personnel File; Dental Record,
• Have your County Director of Veterans Affairs or Accredited Veterans Service Officer review your records and advise you on the benefits you qualify for,
• File for disabilities through an Accredited Veterans Service Officer.

Fill out VA form 10-10 EZ for

Support Services and Consumer Resources offers assistance on a variety of legal, financial and health services. Age eligibility may apply. Services available include: A) Financial and Legal Advice B) Benefit Screenings and Application Assistance C) Medicare and Healthcare Options; APPRISE Counselor D) Assistance with LIHEAP E) Access to Other Agencies and Government Services

Provides assistance to persons in need of help in negotiating a specific aspect of the mental health system. This may include housing issues, securing entitlements, welfare benefits, patient rights, employments issues, or other community support systems, as it pertains to an individual with a mental health challenge. The advocate’s role is to provide support and to help ensure that the consumer’s voice is heard and a recovery approach is followed.

Recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteer advocates who are then appointed by the Juvenile Judge to advocate for the best interests of abused and/or neglected children. Offers services that may include: Advocating for abused and/or neglected children involved in dependency court proceedings; Independently investigating facts of the case for the court; Making recommendations to the court based on case facts and information gathered; Monitors court orders to ensure services are provided to and utilized by the child and family; Attending all meetings and court proceedings.

Works to defend civil liberties, including freedoms of speech, religion and association; the right to petition the government; separation of church and state; the right to privacy; reproductive freedom; due process of law; the rights of the accused; and the right to equal treatment under the law.

Provides advocacy and professional support to ensure that public education is a reality for all. Focuses on underserved students, including students in poverty, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, LGBTQ youth, students experiencing homelessness, and students in the foster care and juvenile justice systems.

Provides comprehensive, direct social service support through professional staff with expertise in sight loss. Services include home visitation and case management, information about available services, assessment, referrals, home management assistance, and counseling.

Provides education about blindness, referral services, scholarship information, publications, and any aids, appliances, or adaptive equipment needed. Also provides advocacy services, counseling, guidance, and support for the blind and their families.

Provides counseling and advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and their significant others, also provides education on all issues related to sexual violence. Sexual Trauma Therapy is provided for survivors ready to process their trauma. Hotline available 24/7

Helps victims and survivors of domestic violence evaluate legal options that may be available to them. Through options counseling, advocates discuss the client's legal options and make appropriate referrals to additional service providers. If the client decides to pursue a Protection From Abuse Order (PFA), the advocate will assist the client in filing a petition, setting the hearing date, and acquiring the judge's signature on a temporary order. In addition, advocates often accompany clients to other court proceedings and appointments and act as the link between the client and the courts. The staff attorneys provide legal information and limited civil legal representation to victims of domestic violence. Emergency and difficult cases that deal with custody, support and divorce are given priority due to the overwhelming demand for these services.

Voluntary health organization that provides education, support and advocacy for people with epilepsy and their families. Programs and services include: - Informational materials - Medical, legal and mental health referrals - Adult resource services - Workshops and conferences - Children and family services - Support groups - Community education - Lending book and video library - Personal and legislative advocacy - Teen and pre-teen camp - Special events - Annual spring education conference - Young Adult Retreat

Prevents youth violence, delinquency and drug use, and promotes positive youth development and strong families.

Offers open-ended support groups, which include educational speakers and literature about hearing loss-related issues. Provides advocacy in government for the rights of the hearing impaired.

Offers citizenship classes, financial literacy, and social services in addition, to promoting civic engagement.

Provides family therapy, case management and emergency crisis intervention family support services, including emergency on-call crisis intervention. Also provides family support and stabilization services, including assisting financially in meeting specific needs of the family as well as funding additional or creative methods of working with the family.

Provides community educational sessions as well as one-on-one counseling on Social Security and Medicare benefit planning, long-term living planning, check writing and budgeting, and fiduciary bookkeeping. Helps to develop individualized plans to meet the needs of each client.