RESOURCES
Brighter Journeys hopes you will find this guide to be a vital resource for your family. If you have just found yourself needing resources for a family member with special needs, we are here! We have collected information from many organizations that offer services to the special needs community. Many of these organizations participate in our Special Needs Expo that is held at Mohegan Sun in the fall. The expo is a wonderful day to come and visit with these organizations one on one.
Directory of Special Needs Resources and Agencies
Dallas, PA
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Scranton, PA
NEPA
Harrisburg, PA
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA
PA State Wide
We are an SLP clinic on the campus of Misericordia University. The students in the SLP program work with the clients during their junior and senior years of the program. The clinic works with people of all ages with all sorts of speech disorders. We provide speech and language services to the community and surrounding areas. The Clinic is open September-July and offers morning, afternoon and evening services.
The Scranton School of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children
We prepare each deaf and hard of hearing students for all aspects of life through a continuum of high-quality, individualized education and extracurricular programs. We are an active partner and resource for our community.
New Story
Student-tailored programs include educational and behavioral outcomes-based methodology to meet the unique needs
New Story’s private licensed schools provide education with academic and behavior support services for students ages 5 through 21 who experience emotional, educational and behavioral challenges. Our schools complement public school districts as an alternative educational placement for students who are temporarily unable to find success within a public-school environment.
Parent to Parent
Linking families of children and adults with disabilities or special needs
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania links families of children and adults with disabilities or special needs on a one-to-one basis according to condition or concerns. Some of these include but are not limited to; physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, behavioral/mental health concerns, special health care needs, foster care or adoption and educational issues.
Allied Services
PMIracles in rehab performed daily
The Pediatric Program at Allied Services provides comprehensive physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to children of all ages with a variety of diagnoses. Rehabilitation professionals partner with families to meet the needs of their children. Family education is ongoing, with emphasis on carry-over of newly acquired skills in the home environment.
PA LINK
“To aging and disability resources”
PA LINK is a link to Aging and Disability Resources coordinates services, regardless of age, income or ability to available resources using a “no wrong door” approach.
NEPA inclusive
“Creating and supporting inclusive and sustainable life for people with disabilities”
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Epilepsy Foundation provides services to the 18 counties that make up the eastern portion of PA. Our mission is to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research. We offer educational conferences and seizure training, and recognition of various community partners, as well as providing children, adult and family service and young adult initiatives..
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Epilepsy Foundation provides services to the 18 counties that make up the eastern portion of PA. Our mission is to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research. We offer educational conferences and seizure training, and recognition of various community partners, as well as providing children, adult and family service and young adult initiatives..
Lehigh Valley Health Network
A passion for better medicine
At Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, you have access to innovative treatment and leading-edge technology not available elsewhere or delivered as well.
The Gregory Center
“For applied behavioral Analysis”
ABA is based in natural science, so our practices are data driven and results oriented. We take into account the needs and concerns of families and caregivers, and collaborate with any other outside service providers- including early intervention services, schools, speech, occupational or physical therapists. Individualized strategies are used to increase the skills necessary to succeed in a supervised, controlled, safe, and nurturing environment.
The Gregory Center
Providing services in: Wayne, Lackawanna/Susquehanna, and many more!
Care For People Plus, Inc. supports people living with intellectual disabilities who face daily challenges in living an independent life, being part of their support network and local community. We provide a helping hand by empowering their freedom to choose, the opportunity to experience as much of an everyday life as possible for them.
Wyoming Valley Children’s Association
“Therapy. Education. Acheivement”
Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that serves children from birth to age six with developmental challenges, as well as typical children. WVCA offers high quality pre-school education, coupled with physical, occupational, speech and music therapies. Our mission is to help children of ALL abilities succeed, by preparing them for kindergarten and a lifetime of learning.
Whole Life Center for Health
“Honored to serve NEPA and beyond since 2006”
Here at Whole Life Center for Health, we especially enjoy working with patients who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and all types of learning differences. We have seen the great progress that gentle chiropractic care, coupled with whole food and herbal nutritional supplementation, can make with the Autism population. Some patients have reported sleeping better, increase in verbal communication, decreased emotional outbursts, getting along better with peers in school, and generally being calmer and more pleasant overall.
Mass Mutual
“Specialist matched to meet your needs”
MassMutual’s Eastern Pennsylvania’s SpecialCare program’s holistic approach begins with a foundation of the key areas of traditional financial strategies including financial position, protection, investments, tax reduction strategies, retirement planning and estate planning. They are equipped with the specialized skills to help parents and caregivers plan for the future. A Life Care Plan is a coordinated program of future care planning involving a disabled person’s network of advisors that can help maintain the lifestyle he or she is accustomed to. We help families plan and save for their loved one without excluding them from social security, Medicaid and government programs.
Rural Health Corporation
QUALITY HEALTHCARE IS WITHIN YOUR REACH!
We support our special needs community by being the primary health care provider, treating each child with compassion, understanding and quality care. We feel primary care is “home base” for coordination of care services with regular care plan being conducted at least yearly. We make the necessary connections to our partners in specialty fields or therapy as stream-lined as possible. We make every effort to be sure the children are comfortable during their visit. Our providers take the extra time that is essential during the children’s visit for both children and parents.
S A L I S B U R Y
Healing and recovery through empowerment and self-discovery.
Salisbury Behavioral Health, Inc., is committed to providing person-centered services that are culturally competent, flexible, coordinated, accountable, and focused on individual’s strengths and values. Each individual is treated with respect, dignity, courtesy, and equality. Salisbury Behavioral Health, Inc., seeks to provide the opportunity for people to recover with the recognition that the recovery process is unique for each individual.
The Arc
People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are entitled to live full, self determined and respected lives.
Our role as advocates encompasses individual, group and community advocacy and support for those with intellectual, developmental disabilities and autism. Special Education advocacy and advocacy throughout the life span is available for families and individuals.
Arthritis Foundation
Kids get Arthritis Too
The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. We exist to conquer arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases. Working closely with such great research partners as the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) (www.carragroup.org), we’re investing millions of dollars in outreach and collaborative research that advances prevention, care and a cure for kids and teens with rheumatic diseases
Wyoming Valley Challenger
Little league Baseball
Wyoming Valley Challenger is a part of Challenger Little League Baseball. The league is run by a group of dedicated VOLUNTEERS. They donate a great deal of valuable time in meeting to conduct business year round, in addition to the work involved with setting up and conducting the games. We WELCOME anyone who wishes to get involved and help organize and run the league. It is rewarding.
Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer Association
Soccer program for children with disabilities
The Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League (WVYSL) exists to foster and perpetuate the game of soccer where fair play and proper sporting behavior will be displayed at all times. The following will be the rules and regulations governing team play in the Wyoming Valley Youth Soccer League for the age groups U-6 (under six) through U-18 (under eighteen).
PA ABLE
The PA ABLE Savings Program (PA ABLE) helps people with disabilities (Eligible Individuals) save money for a wide range of qualified disability-related expenses without jeopardizing government benefits. Plus, savings benefit from several tax advantages.
The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
Quantum Rehab
# 1 Rehab Power
Quantum Rehab® is dedicated to being the premier global innovator of consumer-inspired complex rehab mobility technologies that not only deliver medical comfort, but also the features needed toward overall well-being, serving the entirety of users' activities of daily living.
Good Shepherd Academy
Where the dreams of God's children will be protected by the Shepherd
The program challenges students with exceptionalities to become the best person they can be and to expose them to a life outside a special education classroom. Students are provided with an individualized curriculum that covers academics, spiritual development, social interactions, physical development, pre-vocational education and functional life skills.
Back Mountain Music
"Where words fail, music speaks."
Music Therapy is an effective therapy used for many children, adolescents, and adults to strengthen attention, communication skills, motor skills, psychological and emotional processing, grounding, and more.
Music Therapy provides a form of expression and an avenue to develop areas that traditional therapies or learning may not provide for either individuals or families facing various difficulties.
Serendipity
Serendipity TRC is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and friendly equine learning environment to all of our participants. We strive to focus on each individual's abilities. With each lesson, our goal is always to provide each individual participant with a feeling of increased independence and confidence.
FUNctional Connections
"Supporting connections that change the world one person at a time."
We are a local company invested in the development of our community through education and support. We have over twenty years experience working with Autism, Special Education and Behavioral Services. All programming is overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and direct services staff are training in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
S.A.F.E.
Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere
Our mission is to support and empower families affected by autism spectrum disorders. We work to identify services and activities specific to their needs. Our goal is to provide a sense of inclusion and opportunity for those families within the local community and the ASD community.
Greater Carbondale YMCA Autism Programming
The Greater Carbondale YMCA has adapted programs to meet the needs of children, youth, and young adults with special needs. These specific programs include autism family nights (“The A-Team”) and swim lessons. YMCA staff make reasonable accommodations in general programs such as preschool, after school, Day Camp, and youth athletic/nonathletic programs to include children with different abilities.
Drug Science
Cannabinoid Advocacy
This site provides scientific and other material regarding the medical use of cannabis (marijuana), CBD (cannabidiol), and their respective legal status under the federal laws of the United States as well as individual state laws.
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Learn how to use CBD for arthritis pain.
Keystone Behavioral Services
A comprehensive therapeutic model
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Keystone Behavior Services utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior to reduce maladaptive behavior and increase skills such as functional communication as well as daily life, social, and school readiness skills. We combine speech, occupational, and physical therapies with ABA creating a comprehensive program for our clients
We provide in person and virtual Pediatric, Family-Centered Occupational Therapy and Wellness Services
The Well-Nurtured team is comprised of trained pediatric Occupational Therapists who are here to support your family’s health and wellness. Through a family centered, holistic and trauma informed approach to care, we have provided over a combined two decades of quality service to pediatrics, adults and families of all ages.
We specialize in treating and supporting infants and children though all stages of life, however our passion is wellness and prevention and believe that education is the cornerstone for progress. Whether you have an infant transitioning home from a traumatic NICU stay, have a child with mental or physical disabilities, or are a parent in need of coaching and support, our team is ready to provide quality, individualized services for the entire family. Services include but are not limited to one on one therapeutic evaluation and treatment, community based wellness workshops, and wellness services such as nutritional/supplement recommendations, genetic testing, yoga, Reki and infant massage.
The “IDEA Program” serves children between the ages of 18 months to 5 years by providing diagnostic and behavior services for children suspected of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Step By Step’s IDEA Program (ImmediateDiagnosis & Early Assistance) was formed to combat long waiting lists families often experience to receive services after an autism diagnosis has been made. The “IDEA Program” allows children to receive services immediately following the assessment and diagnosis of autism. The “IDEA Program” enables both the child and family to transition into the next level of service, while also serving as an extensive training opportunity for parents and caregivers.
The Autism Center at Misericordia University, located at 50 Lake Street in Dallas, is comprised of a number of services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder across the lifespan. The services are offered by highly trained and credentialed professionals, along with graduate and undergraduate students in programs that reside in the College of Health Sciences.
A major goal of the Autism Center is to offer the highest quality services available while endeavoring to establish services and programs based on community needs and to fill gaps in care.
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Check out their website for a full list of services.
Misericordia Speech Language Pathology Clinic
Pittston, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Hazleton, PA
Pittston, PA
Bellefonte, PA
Forty Fort, PA
Drums, PA
National
Edwardsville, PA
Bethlehem, PA
NEPA
National
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Kingston, PA
Dallas, PA
Harveys Lake, PA
Sweet Valley, PA
Plains, PA
Carbondale, PA
National
Larksvile, PA
To use music and art within a therapeutic relationship to help our clients attain goals, cope with hardship, overcome physical and mental challenges, and improve their quality of life.
The team at Therapeutic Arts Group places great emphasis on collaborative efforts with other healthcare professionals including speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. In addition to standard music therapy and art therapy services, TAG also offers rehabilitation services to clients recovering from neurologic disorders including stroke, Parkinson's, dementia, and brain injuries, as well as performance-based and interactive experiences for conferences, festivals, birthday parties, family reunions, and special events.