Agency Services Guide
For Students, Families, & Educators
Welcome!
My hope is that this resource will provide a guide to important agency contacts and resources. Many of these agencies support more than one disability, therefore, do not hesitate to reach out if you feel they may support you.
Human Resources
ICCAP has demonstrated a sustained commitment to mobilizing the necessary resources needed to empower families and individuals towards self-sufficiency. Whether it is organizing food banks, providing emergency or transitional housing for individuals without shelter, or furnishing case management services and transportation, ICCAP continues to deploy a panoply of services to those of us unfortunate enough to be economically disenfranchised from the broader community, largely through no fault of our own.
OUR MISSION is to help homeless families regain their housing, their independence and their dignity.Together with our local faith community, we provide shelter, education, and support to families in need.
Transition Services for Youth: https://ahedd.org/business-services-disability-employment/youth/
Work Incentives Counseling: https://ahedd.org/work-incentive-counseling/
Success Stories: https://ahedd.org/success-stories/
For More Information, Contact:
Joy Smith
Program Manager Community Work Incentive Coordinator
Young Adult Program
The Youth Employment & Training Program assists youth ages 16 to 24 with work experience, training, and academic enrichment services.
Work Experience
Would you like the chance to work at a short-term job in a real world work environment? Wouldn’t it be great if that job gave you the chance to develop marketable job skills, get good references, and improve your work history? That’s what happens for our youth program participants. We do our best to place you at a worksite based on your career interests (and location if you have transportation issues) where your supervisors will assign daily tasks and mentor you for the duration of your work experience. Your paycheck comes from Career T.R.A.C.K., but you will work and be supervised by someone at an approved work site.
Training
While participating in the youth program, you will also attend training classes focused on helping you find and keep a job once your work experience is finished. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to gain and/or improve your customer service skills by participating in special training in this field. You will even have the chance to be accredited in customer service by taking and passing a certification exam from the National Retailer Federation at the end of the training. Funding may also be available to assist you in attending an occupational skills training that leads to a post secondary credential. These training services will assist you in securing employment in high-demand occupations.
Academic Enrichment
If you didn't graduate from high school, then you will be required to attend classes as part of your participation. The classes will prepare you to take the GED exam so that you don't lose out on a job opportunity because you lack your high school diploma. If you have your high school diploma but test below a 9th grade level in reading or math, then you will also attend classes to help you improve in one or both subject areas. Again, we don't want you to miss out on job opportunities because of your academic levels.
Classroom Training
If you lack marketable skills for employment, you may be interested in seeking classroom training. When funding is available, Career T.R.A.C.K. can help you pay to attend a trade school, technical school, college, or university. There are a variety of programs that range in length from several weeks to up to two years. Career T.R.A.C.K. has assisted individuals obtaining a CDL, becoming a C.N.A., completing a college degree, and more! You will earn a degree or credential in a high priority occupation, giving you the opportunity to be competitive in today’s workforce.
On-The-Job Training
What better way to learn new skills than on the job! On-the-Job Training (OJT) is an opportunity for you to be hired by an employer who may not otherwise consider you because you lack a few skills required to be fully qualified. In On-the-Job Training, a local employer hires you and agrees to train you in specific areas needed for you to succeed. In exchange, they receive a reimbursement of a portion of your wages to defray training costs. It’s an ‘’earn as you learn’’ model that’s great for both the employer and the employee. Participants who make satisfactory progress during training are retained by the employer in a permanent position. OJT’s usually happen in one of two ways.
Self-Marketing
You may be pre-screened by staff for this program and provided with information you can use to promote yourself as an OJT candidate to potential employers. If interested, employers then contact us regarding how to get started with the process of hiring you through the On-the-Job Training Program.
Employer Outreach
Our staff is regularly reaching out to local employers informing them of the availability and advantages of the On-the-Job Training Program. Employers interested in this program refer potential OJT candidates to our office to be screened for eligibility. If eligible, we will begin moving a candidate through the steps necessary to be hired through this program.
Work Experience
Do you need a job but don’t have the recent work experience to help you get it? The Work Experience Program is a way for you to gain good references, improve your work history, and develop current skills. It is a structured, time-limited learning experience in an actual work environment. We do our best to place you at a work site that has potential employment opportunities and aligns with your career goals. Your paycheck comes from Career T.R.A.C.K., but you will work with and be supervised by someone at an approved work site.
Employer Outreach
Our staff is regularly reaching out to local employers informing them of the availability and advantages of the Work Experience Program. We refer pre-screened eligible participants to employers interested in this program.
Armstrong County Office
Sara Crytzer
11931 State Route 85, Suite C
Kittanning, PA 16201
T (724) 919-8544
F (724) 919-8364
TTY (724) 543-4510
Butler County Office
112 Hollywood Drive, Suite 104
Butler, PA 16001
T (724) 431-4040
F (724) 431-4041
TTY (724) 431-4030
Indiana County Office
Jim Garland- jgarland@tricountyct.com
300 Indian Springs Road
Indiana, PA 15701
T (724) 471-7220
F (724) 471-7250
TTY (724) 471-7221
Founded in 1854 by the Rev. Dr. William Passavant in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Glade Run has evolved over the years to meet the changing and increasingly challenging needs of children, adults and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond. With a focus on education, mental health, developmental disabilities, community monitoring and supports, supportive housing, and unique therapeutic offerings, Glade Run has a long tradition of linking faith and service. Last year, Glade Run served over 7,000 individuals with impactful, innovative services in school, home, and community settings.
The mission of Special Olympics PA is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Michelle Jordan - Program Manager
724-349-8230
Autism
Autism/PDD is defined as a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age 3 that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities, and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply if a child’s educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disturbance.
Symptoms usually begin before age 3, are not usual for any stage of child development, and include two of the following: (1) lack of reciprocal social interaction, (2) impairment of communication and imaginative activity including verbal and nonverbal skills, (3) a very restricted repertoire of activities and interests--often involving resistance to change and motor or verbal stereotypes, (4) abnormal or inconsistent responses to sensory stimuli in one or more of the following areas--sight, hearing, touch, pain, balance, smell, taste, posture and motor behavior.
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/autism-tips.pdf
Office of Developmental Programs
Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral & Developmental Health Program (AIBDHP)
- In order to access services for AIBDHP, individuals must go through an intake process by contacting Jamie Smoyer. Her information is below:
Alliance for Nonprofit Resources
Jamie Smoyer– ID/Autism Intake Coordinator
- Jamie will meet with the individual & families to determine eligibility for services (ID & Autism). If eligible, the individual will receive services through AIBDHP. These services will be explained in detail to the individual & their family.
For Family Support:
Kayla Seyler- Family Liaison kseyler@anrinfo.org
Personal Ponies- Simple Blessings Therapy Farm
https://www.humanservices-countyofindiana.org/directory_disp.php?num=1977
- A unique non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the physical, social, emotional, behavioral & cognitive functioning of children & adults by providing animal assisted therapy & activities, as well as attending numerous community events. We also raise, train & place tiny Shetlands as companions to people with special needs.
Location:
248 South Lytle Road
Shelocta, PA, 15774
Nancy Patterson-Uhron - Director
724-762-8159
724-801-6211
simpleblessingsfarm77@yahoo.com
ASERT https://paautism.org/
- The Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) is a statewide initiative funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The goal of the ASERT Collaborative is to provide streamlined access to information for Pennsylvanians living with autism.
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania https://autismofpa.org/
- Our mission is to be a lifeline and hub for families and adults, providing support, information, and advocacy.
- Founded in 1996, the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania serves thousands of families, professionals, and adults seeking help for autism questions and concerns. Autism Connection staff understand your perspective. They provide email and telephone support, autism news, sensory-friendly activities, and training for parents, professionals, educators, and first responders, and the organization sponsors support groups across Pennsylvania.
PA Department of Human Services: Autism
- https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/Autism-Services.aspx (waiver information)
Commonwealth of PA- Autism Services
- The information shared in this site is intended to communicate efforts of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to enhance the quality of life and independence of Pennsylvanians with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to support their families and caregivers.
- https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/intellectual-disabilities-autism/autism-services.html
Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/
- Dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.
Autism Now https://autismnow.org/
- The National Autism Resource and Information Center will be a dynamic and interactive, highly visible and effective central point of quality resources and information for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, and other targeted key stakeholders.
Deaf-Blindness & Deafness
Deaf-Blindess: concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for students with deafness or students with blindness and adversely affect a student’s educational performance.
Deafness: a hearing impairment so severe that the student is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance.
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/hearing-impairment-tips.pdf
Pittsburgh Office (OVR)PA Department of Labor & Industry- Office of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/odhh/Pages/default.aspx
- The Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) is an office within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry that serves all 67 counties. ODHH is your first stop on the path to learn about anything and everything related to hearing loss, such as services, technology, sign language interpreters, or laws that require equal access for people who are deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing
Center for Deaf & Hearing Services, Inc.
- For more than 100 years, HDS has strived to ensure that the programs and services we offer meet the evolving needs of our clients. We retire programs when they no longer meet the need, and conduct regular community, industry, and self-assessments to remain at the forefront of trends, technology, and opportunities that can help us better service our constituents.
Support Service Providers
Pennsylvania Partnership for the DeafBlind https://www.papdb.org/
- The PPDB exists to provide support for individuals with deaf-blindness and their families through a family-driven network.We are a network of parents, family members, and individuals with deafblindness
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, Indiana County Division, Westmoreland County Blind Association
Service Description:
- Prevention Education - to aid in the preservation and improvement of sight by instilling a commitment to eye safety. Also, by emphasizing the importance of periodic eye care in the early detection of specific, undiagnosed problems which could result in unnecessary visual impairment.
- Consultation and Education - to disperse information through speaking engagements, inservice training and multi-media educational alerts.
- Employment Guidance - to assist eligible visually impaired individuals with finding resources.
- Casework (Case Management/Service Planning) - to ensure the provision of service selected by the client on a comprehensive and coordinated basis.
- Vision Screening
Family Resource Group:
- All families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), blind or visually impaired (BVI), or deaf-blind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group.
- The goal of this group is to send out resources, event information, and contacts that can benefit your family and child. It is an easy way for you to get updates and take advantage of any available opportunities.
Emotional Disturbance
A student with emotional disturbance has a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree which adversely affects educational performance: an inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors; an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers; inappropriate types of behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; and/or a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. The term includes schizophrenia.
It does not include students who are socially maladjusted unless it is determined that they are also emotionally disturbed. A student may not be determined to have emotional disturbance for discipline reasons alone. Based on this definition, a student must have a problem in at least one of the five areas listed above and meet the three limiting criteria: severity, duration, and adverse impact on school performance. Therefore, the MDE must establish that a student’s inappropriate behavior or emotional responses are more than a temporary response to life stresses, are characterized as significantly different from appropriate age, cultural, or ethnic norms, and that the student’s behavioral and emotional responses are adversely affecting educational performance.
**Armstrong Indiana Behavioral and Development Health Program (BDHP)**
https://www.aibdhp.org/child-mh-services
Armstrong County:
120 South Grant Avenue, Suite 3
Kittanning, PA 16201
Phone: 724-548-3451
Fax: 724-548-3454
Indiana County:
Satellite Office by appointment only
300 Indian Springs Road, Suite 113
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-349-3350
Fax: 724-349-3341
Direct Contacts:
Karen Semetkoskey
CASSP Coordinator
Ext. 640
Anna Salsgiver,
Service Navigator
Ext. 629
Butler County
Human Services Department
Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Programs
Mental Health Services
County Government Center
124 West Diamond Street
First Floor Annex,
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Phone: (724) 284-5114
ax: (724) 284-5128
Website: Developmental Services | Butler County, PA (butlercountypa.gov)
Website: Mental Health Services | Butler County, PA (butlercountypa.gov)
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/emotional-disturbance-tips.pdf
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association: https://pmhca.org/resource
- Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association (PMHCA) is a state-wide member organization dedicated to the support of all people who seek aid for recovery from a mental illness at any stage in their journey.
- PMHCA also provides training to individuals in such areas as Mental Health Advance Directives, Peer Support, LGBTQI+ Issues, and other training.
JusticeWorks Family of Services
https://www.justiceworksyouthcare.com/
- JusticeWorks provides a variety of in-home services including STOPP (Short-term Therapeutic Outreach to Prevent Placements) JustCare, Family Group Decision Making, Truancy Remediation, Nurturing Parenting, Violation Initiative Program, Seeking Safety, Supervised Visitation, Visit Coaching, Anger Management, and Independent Living services to youth and families in Indiana County. JusticeWorks is also a Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network affiliate providing SWAN units of service throughout Pennsylvania
JusticeWorks YouthCare, Inc.
655 Church Street
Suite 200
Indiana, PA 15701
indiana@justiceworksyouthcare.com
Phone: (724) 672-087
JusticeWorks YouthCare, Inc.
128 N McKean Street
Kittanning, PA 16201
armstrong@justiceworksyouthcare.com
Phone: (724) 954-5475
JusticeWorks YouthCare, Inc.
222 West Cunningham Street Suite 204
Butler, PA 16001
butler@justiceworksyouthcare.com
Phone: (724) 531-5618
JusticeWorks YouthCare, Inc.
245 Humphrey Road
Suite 4
Greensburg, PA 15601
westmoreland@justiceworksyouthcare.com
Phone: (724) 237-6190
Peerstar, LLC
- Perhaps you've been experiencing disabling depression or anxiety. Maybe you feel as though your life is being controlled by substance use. Whether you are experiencing the hardships of mental illness or a substance use disorder, we are here for you....and we know how it feels.
- Whatever your needs may be, we are here to offer our support. Our peer specialists have experienced their own struggles with mental health and substance use, and they are ready to guide you through the journey of recovery. Peer Support is a process of growth and self-discovery, encouraged by those who have the lived experience and special training to inspire hope that RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE!
Hearing Impairment
Resources:
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/hearing-impairment-tips.pdf
- Since 1967, ASDC has supported parents of children who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. We believe that deafness is not a disability, but language deprivation is. That’s why it’s our mission to ensure that every Deaf child can learn sign language from the very start.
Alexander Graham Bell Association
- If you have a child with hearing loss, you have found your village. Welcome to the community that connects you with everything you need to hear.
Center for Deaf & Hearing Services, Inc.
- Center for Hearing & Deaf Services, Inc. (HDS), a non-profit agency, has been in continuous operation for more than a century. Founded on September 21, 1921, when social work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals was in its infancy, our agency has evolved over 100 years to provide a wide range of professional services for people who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing.
Family Resource Group:
https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Blind-Visual-Impairment/Family-Resource-Group
- All families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), blind or visually impaired (BVI), or deaf-blind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group.
- The goal of this group is to send out resources, event information, and contacts that can benefit your family and child. It is an easy way for you to get updates and take advantage of any available opportunities.
Intellectual Disability
Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/intellectual-disability-tips.pdf
Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral & Developmental Health Program (AIBDHP)
Intellectual Disability Services
https://www.aibdhp.org/child-id-services
- Where do I start?
- In order to access services for AIBDHP, individuals must go through an intake process by contacting Jamie Smoyer. Her information is below:
Alliance for Nonprofit Resources
Jamie Smoyer– ID/Autism Intake Coordinator
- Jamie will meet with the individual & families to determine eligibility for services. If eligible, the individual will receive services through AIBDHP. These services will be explained in detail to the individual & their family.
For Family Support:
Kayla Seyler- Family Liaison
Butler County
Human Services Department
Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Programs
Mental Health Services
County Government Center
124 West Diamond Street
First Floor Annex,
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Phone: (724) 284-5114
ax: (724) 284-5128
Website: Developmental Services | Butler County, PA (butlercountypa.gov)
Website: Mental Health Services | Butler County, PA (butlercountypa.gov)
Achieva
https://www.achieva.info/https://www.achieva.info/
- Achieva advocates with, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives.
ICW Vocational Services
https://www.icwvocational.com/
- The mission of ICW Vocational Services, Inc. is to teach, empower, and support individuals with disabilities through a continuum of services; and to promote lifelong learning to maximize the individual's potential to obtain their goals with dignity.
Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County
https://www.progressiveworkshop.org/
- Clients focus on building knowledge, abilities, and competencies in daily living skills, health awareness, financial responsibility, safety awareness, leisure skills, socialization skills, and self-determination.
- Our goal: to enable individuals to achieve their optimum level of independence while leading happy and productive lives
Multiple Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities are concomitant impairments, (such as intellectually disabled-blindness, intellectually disabled-orthopedic impairment, etc.), the combination of which causes severe educational problems that cannot be accommodated in special education programs designed solely for one of the impairments. The term does not include deaf-blindness.
Center for Independent Living of South Central PA
https://www.humanservices-countyofindiana.org/directory_disp.php?num=39
Marty Dombrowski
814-289-9521
- CILSCPA serves People with Disabilities; any one, any age, any disability in Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana and Somerset Counties.
- Together, we’ll create your personal “life plan” enabling and equipping you to define and achieve your goals!
- This CILSCPA strives through advocacy and collective action to remove physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent People with Disabilities (PwD) from exercising their rights, achieving personal independence, and participating fully in the life of the community. Programs, services and trainings provided by this CILSCPA teach consumers to take responsibility for their own abilities to live independently.
Disability Options Network (DON)
- Assisting people with disabilities to live how and where they choose by providing home and community-based services.
The Arc of Indiana County
Michelle Jordan
724-349-8230
- Mission To strive to include individuals of all ages with intellectual, developmental delays, and other disabilities into all aspects of our community and beyond. Achieving this by identifying barriers, building partnerships, and realizing positive solutions.
LifeSteps, Inc.
https://lifesteps.net/services/
Fran Kilgore - Senior Director, Center Based Service
724-283-1010 1-800-225-2010
- Lifesteps is proud to be an independent, nonprofit, human services agency assisting families with challenges at various stages in life since 1923. The Agency works to meet the needs of the community by helping children, families, older adults, and individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities lead better lives — offering care and support through family‑focused services and programs.
accessAbilities
Toll Free: 1-877-822-8272
- accessAbilities Home & Community Services provides a variety of direct care supports for youth & adults with disabilities – helping participants maintain independence in their home or community. Compassionate qualified care professionals help you maintain independence in your home by assisting with activities of daily living, independent living skills, and respite care.
BAYADA Home Health Care
https://www.humanservices-countyofindiana.org/directory_disp.php?num=4137
- Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization: To help children and adults that are medically fragile by providing nursing care as well as home health aide services to them while in their home, or at school
https://www.varietypittsburgh.org/
Sandra Thompson - Director of Programs and Community Outreach
412-747-2680
412-747-2681
- Provides mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, ramps, and adaptive car seats, and recreational programs
Orthopedic Impairment
Orthopedic Impairment is a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy (AUCP)- https://scalucp.org/
Toll-Free: (844) 819-4455
Local: 814-619-3398
Fax: 814-262-7174
119 Jari Drive
Johnstown, PA 15904
115 Union Ave
Altoona, PA 16602
201 Penn Center Blvd. Building 1 Suite 524
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Orthopedic Impairment Fact Sheet: https://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/ECACResourceOrthopedicImpairmentFactSheet.pdf
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy: https://www.parentprojectmd.org/
Facebook Group out of Freeport, PA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/786564664687412/
Camp STAR: Amputee Youth Camp: https://www.chp.edu/our-services/physical-therapy/camp-star
Amputee Coalition: https://amputee-coalition.org/empowering-the-next-generation/
West Penn Burn Center Summer Camp: https://www.ahn.org/services/burn-center/pediatric/summer-camp
Shriners: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/erie
Other Health Impairment
"Other health impairment" is a condition in which a student exhibits limited strength, vitality or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that is due to a chronic or acute health problem, including heart condition, spina bifida, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, environmental illness, such as lead poisoning, leukemia, ADHD, fibromylagia, OCD, Tourettes or diabetes, etc., which adversely affect the student’s educational performance.
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/OHI-tips.pdf
Comprehensive Overview of Other Health Impairments
Resource Directories
Parent Center Hub- OHI
Specific Learning Disability
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
2024-2025 OVR Counselor Assignment List
Indiana County:
Helen Robinson, IDD/Autism Counselor-helrobinso@pa.gov
Shannon Davies-shadavies@pa.gov
IASD, MCASD, PLSD PMSD, & IUP/Labyrinth Center
Laura Hanselman-lahanselma@pa.gov
HCSD, RVSD, United, ICTC Adult Ed.
Lana Arnold, Early Reach Coordinator (ERC)-lanarnold@pa.gov
Jessica Mills, Early Reach Coordinator (ERC)- jessmills@pa.gov
Armstrong County:
Aleece Rearic-arearic@pa.gov
Lenape Tech (Freeport, Leechburg, Apollo-Ridge, and West Shamokin students)
Apollo-Ridge HS
Leechburg HS
Armstrong Jr/Sr HS (assigned overtime counselor for students with last names I through Z)
Taylor Prokosch-tprokosch@pa.gov
Lenape Tech (assigned overtime counselor for Armstrong Jr/Sr HS students)
John Walsh-jwalsh@pa.gov (assigned overtime counselor)
Armstrong Jr/Sr HS (students with last names A through H)
West Shamokin HS
Ryan Mortimer-rymortimer@pa.gov
Freeport HS
Jamie Palumbo, Early Reach Coordinator (ERC)-japalumbo@pa.gov
- Rhonda Gavin, IDD/Autism Counselor-rhgavin@pa.gov
Learning Disabilities Association of America
- Since 1963, LDA has provided support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals with cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions, and a comprehensive network of resources. These services make LDA the leading resource for information on learning disabilities.
Speech or Language Impairment
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
- **See above under "Specific Learning Disability" for Information on OVR if applicable to student
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/speech-language-tips.pdf
Apraxia Kids
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/pennsylvania/
- Here you will find a list of local resources and information compiled by our community.
Traumatic Brain Injury
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/TBI-tips.pdf
BrainSTEPS
- The BrainSTEPS Program was created in 2007 to build a bridge connecting the medical, rehabilitation, education sectors and families following student (K-12) acquired brain injury (ABI). BrainSTEPS provides brain injury-related consultation & training to school staff, students, & parents in all Pennsylvania Public Schools
Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania
- Our mission is to prevent brain injuries and to foster an inclusive community of education, advocacy, support, and research to maximize the quality of life for those with brain injuries and their families.
Visual Impairment, Including Blindness
PA Department of Labor- Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/bbvs/Pages/default.aspx
- The mission of the Bureau is to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
- The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps individuals prepare for or retain employment. Services offered can include but are not limited to:
- Counseling and guidance
- Vocational evaluation
- Blindness skills training
- Mobility (travel) instruction
- Instruction on performing daily living activities
- Vocational and college training
- Occupational tools and equipment
- Job placement services
- Services are based on an individual's employment needs and choices, and some or all of these services may be needed. VR counselors work directly with the individual to determine an employment goal and what services are needed to reach that goal.
Contact Information:
PITTSBURGH OFFICE (Armstrong & Indiana Counties)
Blindness & Visual Services531 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-565-5240 Voice
412-392-5921 TTY
866-412-4072* Voice
888-870-4474* TTY
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind https://www.pablind.org/
- The vision of Pennsylvania Association for the Blind is to be the leading organization for information, resources, and advocacy regarding services for Pennsylvanians who are visually impaired, while obtaining and maximizing public and/or private funds ensuring effective use by member agencies.
- Indiana & Westmoreland Counties: https://www.pablind.org/tag/indiana-county/
- Armstrong & Butler Counties: https://www.pablind.org/tag/armstrong-county/
- Helpful Links https://www.pablind.org/helpful-links/
Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services https://nrd.gov/resource/detail/21075165/Pennsylvania+Bureau+of+Blindness+%26+Visual+Services
The Pennsylvania Advisory Committee for the Education of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Blind-Visual-Impairment/PACES-BVI
- The Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Education of Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired (PACES-BVI) advises the Bureau of Special Education (BSE) and responds to requests from BSE on information, current issues, and preferred practices pertaining to the unique educational needs of students who are blind or visually impaired. PACES-BVI’s mission is to promote excellence in the provision of educational programs and services to Pennsylvania students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, and blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities. Their vision is for all students who are blind or visually impaired to have access to the resources necessary to achieve their full potential.
Family Resource Group:
https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Blind-Visual-Impairment/Family-Resource-Group
- All families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), blind or visually impaired (BVI), or deaf-blind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group.
- The goal of this group is to send out resources, event information, and contacts that can benefit your family and child. It is an easy way for you to get updates and take advantage of any available opportunities.
Support Groups for All Disabilities (Parents & Students)
- ASERT (for a variety of disabilities- by county): https://paautism.org/support-groups/
- PEAL's Youth Virtual Coffee Meet Ups: Join the PEAL Youth Leadership Team for virtual coffee and connect with resources and other youth navigating the same waters.