Armstrong CountyBy: Alissa, Jess, & Marisa

School

• How does an elementary school support young children who may have educational, social, or special education needs?• In the Armstrong School District, there

are many types of supports offered: autistic, learning, life skills, emotional, speech/language, hearing impaired, vision, and gifted. Also, the schools have intensive Title I programs.

School• Child Find

• The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the district annually conducts awareness and outreach programs and activities designed to reach District residents including parents/guardians of students with disabilities who are enrolled in the District, preschool-aged children, students who attend private schools, homeless children and children who are wards of the state. (Title 22 Sec. 14.121, 34 CFR Sec. 300.111)

• The District’s public awareness activities shall include annual publication of a written notice in newspapers and other media notifying residents about child identification activities; available special education services and programs and how to request them; and procedures used to ensure confidentiality of student information. Written information shall be published in District handbooks and on the District web site. Public awareness activities must include information regarding potential signs of developmental delays and other risk factors that could indicate disabilities.

• The Intermediate Unit shall be responsible for conducting child find activities necessary to provide equitable participation services to students with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents/guardians in private schools.

• Source -- http://asd.k12.pa.us/cms/lib6/PA01000584/Centricity/Domain/65/100/Bulletin%20Policy%20113%20Special%20Education%20Programs%20%20Services.pdf

School

• Early Identification and Intervention Services• Screening and evaluation procedures that emphasize intervening early and often identify

students who may have a disability and need specially designed instruction. The Armstrong School District utilizes the Response to Intervention (RtI) multi-tier models of service delivery that ensures that all students receive high-quality instruction and interventions with increasing intensity of services matched to the current level of student need.

• At Tier I, grade-level teams of teachers systematically review data from all students such as grades, end of theme reading assessments, and the results of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), 4Sight Benchmark and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test results, for example, to make educational decisions about changes in instruction or goals. Some students may be referred to the Tier II Child Study Team which is a problem-solving team that uses academic and behavioral assessments to identify why students are not mastering the required skills at the same pace as their peers. The Child Study Team identifies specific skills that need developed and then select research-based, scientifically validated interventions to address the need. At this level, targeted instruction and additional practice time aim to accelerate learning. Students are monitored for progress frequently to measure their response to intervention so that instruction and interventions may be adjusted when necessary.

• Students whose needs extend beyond what may be successfully provided for within the general education core curriculum with supplemental programs may be referred by the Child Study Team for a multidisciplinary evaluation for consideration of special education services and more intensive interventions including specially designed instruction.

School

• Early Identification and Intervention Services (continued)• The extent of special education services and the location for the delivery of such

services are determined by the IEP team and are based on the student’s identified needs and abilities, chronological age and the level of intensity of the specified intervention. 

• Parents who suspect their child has a disability may request a multidisciplinary evaluation of their child at any time through written request to the school principal or the Office of Special Education. Services for school-age students with disabilities include the annual development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)plan. The extent of special education services (Itinerant: 20 percent or less, Supplemental: less than 80 percent but more than 20 percent, and Full Time: more than 80 percent) and the location for the delivery of such services are determined by the IEP team and are based on the student’s needs.

• Parents are encouraged to contribute during the evaluation and individual planning of their child’s educational program. There are signs of developmental delays and other risk factors that parents can look for that could indicate their child has a disability. More importantly, there are also strategies and resources that can help. To learn more about the early signs of developmental delays and learning disabilities, please contact the Office of Special Education at 724-763-5230.

• Source -- http://www.asd.k12.pa.us/Page/188

School

• Child Lunch Program• The Armstrong School District does offer a free or reduced

lunch program. To see if families qualify, they are encouraged to apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us.• The Armstrong School District has been chosen by the PA Dept of

Education (PDE) and Dept of Public Welfare (DWP) to pilot a program that has been added to a statewide program called COMPASS. COMPASS is a system, currently being used by DWP, that allows citizens of PA to apply for programs, such as Food Stamps, Energy Assistance, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), etc. online through the internet. For the first time, applications for free or reduced price meals as part of the school lunch program are now available on line. Since Armstrong School District is participating in the pilot, you may complete the “Household Meal Benefit Application” online.

• Source -- http://www.asd.k12.pa.us/Page/212

School

• Assistance with Various Fees (tuition, books, materials, etc)?• Since Armstrong School District is a

public school, they do not offer assistance with various fees. The children are given the supplies they need at the beginning of the school year and return them at the end of the school year.

School

• Assistance with Materials (clothes, food, etc.)• If a family notifies the district of their

struggles, they will receive temporary help for their child.

• Also, the school does fundraisers throughout the year to help families in need within the district.• Quarters for Christmas – benefits families

that cannot afford Christmas presents for their children

Food & Nutrition

Ford Cliff Fire Hall609 Neale Ave.Ford Cliff, PA 16228

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 763-1591

Contact Person: Secretary

Description: Every month, the fire hall receives the excess goods/supplies from local grocery stores. Then, they have an auction for all of the inventory.

Food & Nutrition

Food Bankhttp://co.armstrong.pa.us/departments/social-services/probation/community-service

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Description: This program provides food vouchers, emergency shelter, and emergency utility assistance for low income & homeless persons. The website has a complete listing of all available food banks (dates and time included).

Clothing

Salvation Army205 S. Jefferson St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 543-6622

Contact Person: Captains David & Pamela Rhodes

Description: The Salvation Army is an organization that is completely associated with Christianity. They believe in helping people through numerous expects of their lives, and they can assist with clothing needs.

Clothing

St. Vincent de Paul110 Market St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 548-8845

Description: Similar to the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul assists people that are in need. At their thrift stores, people can find material items for a minimal monetary value.

Utilities

Public Welfare Department1280 N. Water St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 543-1651

Description: If a person qualifies, the Public Welfare Department may be able to decrease the amount paid in utilities a month.

Utilities

West Penn PowerS. McKean St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: 1-800-441-3311

Description: When discussing electric, some companies will work with families in need. West Penn Power can set up a payment plan that you can afford.

Housing

Armstrong County Housing Authority350 S. Jefferson St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 548-7671Fax: (724) 545-6406

Contact Person: Karen Rega

Description: The Armstrong County Housing Authority offers low-income housing to people in need. They also offer vouchers to people, so their rent can be subsidized.

Housing

Balcony Towers301 S. McKean St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 548-7671Fax: (724) 545-6406

Description: The Balcony Towers offer section 8 housing for families in need. The apartments are offered to families for only 30% of their adjusted gross income.

Transportation

Town & County Transit220 N. Grant Ave.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 548-8696Fax: (724) 545-3356

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00

Description: Town & County Transit (TACT) is a fixed bus route that travels throughout areas of Armstrong County for the citizens. TACT has an option for people to get their fees waived if they qualify for the program.

Transportation

Armstrong Driving School705 Butler Rd.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 443-2933

http://armstrongdrivingschool.courseinstruction.com/course/content/page/member_home/

Description: The Armstrong Driving School is a program that helps people receive their driver’s license. Through online training, drivers become prepared to take the driver’s test and learn everything about driving.

Medical/Dental Care

Armstrong County Assistance OfficeMedical Assistance/Medicaid1280 N. Water St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 543-1651

Description: For people that qualify, they may receive medical assistance. For most, this means receiving family insurance with little cost. This program is associated with the Department of Welfare.

Medical/Dental Care

Armstrong County Health Department239-245 Butler Rd.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 543-2700Fax: (724) 548-1477

http://www.armstrongcap.com/pa-dept-of-health-state-health-center.htm

Description: The Armstrong County Health Department offers services at prices families can afford: routine childhood, adolescent, and adult immunizations, assist in retrieving birth certificates, refer to WIC program, refer to affordable local health care agencies, providecommunicable disease/chronic disease/environmentalhealth educational information, provide tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, management, and contact tracing, conduct reportable disease follow-up investigation including animal bites, provide HIV testing and counseling, refer to drug and alcohol treatment, and provide or refer to proper resource for Sexually Transmitted Disease diagnosis and treatment.

Childcare

Pennsylvania COMPASS

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass.web/CMHOM.aspx

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: 1-800-692-7462

Description: Through the COMPASS program, families can see if they qualify for child care. This child care would either come at no cost or at a reduced rate.

Childcare

Head Start705 Butler Rd.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 548-3414Fax: (724) 548-3413

Description: Head Start is a preschool program for children from low-income families. In order to qualify for Head Start, families must meet 100% of the Federal Income Guidelines.

FAMILY SIZE 75% 100% 115% 125% 135% 150% 200%

                 1   $7,658 $10,210 $11,742 $12,763 $13,784 $15,315 $20,420

2   $10,268 $13,690 $15,744 $17,113 $18,482 $20,535 $27,380

3   $12,878 $17,170 $19,746 $21,463 $23,180 $25,755 $34,340

4   $15,488 $20,650 $23,748 $25,813 $27,878 $30,975 $41,300

5   $18,098 $24,130 $27,750 $30,163 $32,576 $36,195 $48,260

6   $20,708 $27,610 $31,752 $34,513 $37,274 $41,415 $55,220

7   $23,318 $31,090 $35,754 $38,863 $41,972 $46,635 $62,180

8   $25,928 $34,570 $39,756 $43,213 $46,670 $51,855 $69,140

Each additional member add

$2,610 $3,480 $4,002 $4,350 $4,698 $5,220 $6,960

Social SupportChildren, Youth & Family310 S. Jefferson St.Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: (724) 648-3466Emergency-After Hours Phone: (724) 543-6509Fax: (724) 548-3270

http://www.co.armstrong.pa.us/departments/social-services/cyf

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00–4:30

Description: Children, Youth, & Family offer the following services:

•Information and referral regarding the various social service programs available to meet families' needs•General protective services are offered to children at risk of minor or moderate neglect, school truant youth and youth who are ungovernable•Child protective services are provided to children who are suspected or confirmed victims of child abuse or serious physical neglect•Child placement services are offered to children who for one or more reasons cannot safely remain in their own homes. Placement options include foster family care, group homes in the community and residential treatment•In addition an array of other family support services is also offered including family preservation services, family group decision making, parent education and training in independent living skills for youth.

Social SupportDomestic RelationsArmstrong County Courthouse500 E. Market St., Suite 100Kittanning, PA 16201

Areas/Region Served: Armstrong County

Telephone: 1-877-727-7238

http://www.co.armstrong.pa.us/departments/social-services/domestic-relations

Contact Person: Cheryl Morris, Director

Description: Domestic Relations offers family support services with respect to: location of absent parents, establishment of paternity, establishment of financial/medical support obligations, and enforcement of support obligations. Also, they can help families determine child support.