Area Agency on Aging « Lackawanna County

Lackawanna County COVID-19 Older Adults Communal Setting Testing Program

December 23, 2020 – For Immediate Release

Lackawanna County COVID-19 Older Adults Communal Setting Testing Program

The Lackawanna County Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Domenick, Esq., and Chris Chermak have further deepened their commitment to combating the COVID-19 virus on all fronts by organizing a consortium of local health and social service agencies to provide testing for older adults in local communal settings throughout the area.

The County, its Area Agency on Aging and its Office of Economic Planning & Development have teamed-up with The Wright Center, NeighborWorks NEPA, United Neighborhood Centers, the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties, and Telespond Senior Services to provide testing for those over the age of 60 that are living in communal settings.

The Commissioners stressed that the impetus for this action is to safeguard a very valuable and vulnerable segment of our population who may not have access to either testing or transportation to get a facility.

The goal of the program is to reach 55 communal setting locations in every part of Lackawanna County. The initiative is prioritizing high risk buildings, but also casting a large net to provide as many diverse testing locations as possible. The testing program, scheduled to kick-off December 30, will continue as long as the resources and test kits are available.

Each communal location will be surveyed for interest and given a testing date as resources are made available. The facility must provide the number of tests needed beforehand. The testing will not be done on a first come, first serve basis, but rather who registered beforehand. The program will not guarantee the ability to provide testing if the individual has not preregistered.

As the tests become available, the Area Agency on Aging will identify the locations and coordinate the testing and information dissemination with the community partners. Interested individuals will be asked have to share their insurance information but will bear no cost or copay for the test or results. Even if an individual is not insured, the test will be covered at no cost.

Testing will be completed on site in the Wright Centers Mobil Unit. Volunteers and Aging staff will be on-hand to coordinate logistics, and Telespond will provide support for those who need assistance due to mobility challenges.

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COLTS Returns to Regular Service with 11 Route Changes Effective Monday, Oct. 5

Scranton, Pa. – The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) will return to normal service with changes to 11 of its routes on Monday, Oct. 5. 2020. The changes will make these routes more efficient and provide more service for COLTS’ passengers. The routes affected are: #14 Drinker/Chestnut, #18 Petersburg, #21 Lake Scranton/Oakmont, #26 Mohegan Sun/Wilkes -Barre VA Medical Center, #31 Old Forge/Stauffer, #36 Keyser Valley/Lafayette, #42 Olive/ Providence, #43/45 Viewmont Bangor/Viewmont Express, #52 Carbondale/North Main Ave., #53 Marywood/U of S, and #54 Green Ridge/Dickson City.
“We took time during the pandemic to resize our bus system and reconfigure routes so that they best meet demand for service,” said Bob Fiume, COLTS Executive Director. “We are constantly looking to improve our system for our riders.”
Changes include service to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, the renaming of some routes due to rerouting, combination of some routes on one paper schedule, and minor changes to routes and timetables. The #48 Dalton/Waverly/Clarks Summit and the #99 Minooka/Montage will be cancelled due to low ridership. The #48 route will be served through Demand Response Service, and employees of EDM Americas who take the #99 route will be served on the #42 Olive/Providence.
The list of changes is attached to the email with this press release, and the new schedules will be posted on coltsbus.com.
Some bay assignments, or the bays that the buses pull into and out of, will also change. The bay assignment changes will be posted on the COLTS web site at coltsbus.com.

Assistance available for renters and homeowners affected by COVID-19 economic slowdown

Assistance available for Renters and Homeowners affected by COVID-19 Economic Slowdown

Scranton, July 2, 2020: Lackawanna County has been approved to distribute $2.9 million for rent and mortgage relief to renters and homeowners who were affected by the economic slowdown due to COVID-19. With the moratorium on evictions set to expire on July
10, it is strongly recommended that those affected take advantage of this funding opportunity.

This allocation is part of $175 million in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding Pennsylvania received to assist those who are struggling to pay rent or make mortgage payments because of the COVID-19.

Renters who qualify for the Rent Relief Program can receive assistance up to $750 in monthly rent payments for a maximum of six months between March 1 and November 30, 2020.

Homeowners who qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program can receive up to $1,000 a month for a maximum period of six months.

In order to qualify for the assistance, renters and homeowners must be able to show that they experienced at least a 30% reduction in annual income or unemployed since March 1 due to COVID-19. In addition, household income cannot exceed 100% of the Area Median Income in
Lackawanna County, adjusted for household size.

Median Income information, instructions, and applications and other information for CARES financial assistance for renters and homeowners are available now through a link on the Lackawanna County Website and on the red CARES banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website. Application submissions can begin July 6. A dedicated email, [email protected] has been established to accept completed application packets.

NeighborWorks NEPA Challenges Kindness for Isolated Seniors Amidst Social Distancing

Scranton, PA - April 22, 2020

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is launching the KindnessWorks Challenge, a social media initiative addressing senior isolation while following social distancing guidelines.

Senior isolation is a struggle we face as a community in northeastern Pennsylvania. The challenge asks participants to be creative in spreading smiles and showing kindness while practicing safe social distancing. Entering the contest is easy – just document your acts of kindness through photos or videos and post on Facebook using #KindnessWorks for a chance to win fun prizes from NeighborWorks NEPA! Each week will offer first place prizes, such as a Weber two-burner propane grill, a Yeti cooler, and a Bose Outdoor Sound System. First place winners will be eligible to qualify to receive a Neighborhood Block Party.

Combatting senior isolation and feelings of loneliness in elderly residents has always been a goal for NeighborWorks NEPA. “Older adults in our community are a gift, full of wisdom and experience. Let’s work together as a community to ensure they feel connected to their neighborhoods during this trying time when staying isolated also keeps them healthy and safe,” says Mary Endrusick, Aging in Place Coordinator.

About Neighborworks Northeastern Pennsylvania NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization that has for more than 35 years helped to revitalize neighborhoods and improve lives throughout the region by addressing the housing needs in our community. Their vision for strong, healthy neighborhoods is built on resident empowerment, neighborhood revitalization, sustainable homeownership, and public-private partnerships.

NWNEPA KindnessWorks Challenge PSA

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Lackawanna County COVID-19 Older Adults Communal Setting Testing Program

COLTS Returns to Regular Service with 11 Route Changes Effective Monday, Oct. 5

Assistance available for renters and homeowners affected by COVID-19 economic slowdown

NeighborWorks NEPA Challenges Kindness for Isolated Seniors Amidst Social Distancing

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