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Raising Awareness about the Importance and Impact of
Human/Social Service Professionals
March is National Professional Social Work month and The Lackawanna County System of Care (SOC) is joining in the celebrations by hosting a “My System of Care Superhero” Contest. The goal of the contest is to tackle human and social service staff recruitment issues by raising awareness of the positive impact of human/social service professionals and the need for these types of workers in our community.
Sponsored by the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties and Best Buy Dickson City, the “My System of Care Superhero” Contest is part of the Lackawanna County SOC’s efforts to improve staff recruitment in the human/social services field. There is a growing need for human and social service professionals, including direct service professionals, case managers, social workers, licensed social workers and counselors in our community. Without these key positions, people will not be able to receive the care they need to address social concerns and for us to have a healthy and thriving community.
The Lackawanna County SOC efforts include outreach to high school and college students to introduce them to the human services field and the variety of populations they can serve – children, at-risk youth, older adults, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and more. Additionally, PA Career Link ® will host a career event – “Social Services in Today’s Workforce” on Wednesday, March 18, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a keynote speaker and break-out sessions where potential employees and employers will have the opportunity to learn about the field and current openings.
Children, youth, young adults, and parents/caregivers are encouraged to share how a social work superhero helped change their life. To participate in the “My System of Care Superhero” contest, nominate a person who has made an impact on your life to be your System of Care Superhero. The contest will begin on January 20. Entries can be submitted in writing, artwork or video to show how social service workers played a valuable role in the lives of the youth and families in our community. Submissions with the attached application can be sent to “My System of Care Superhero” Contest, c/o Office of Youth and Family Services, 123 Wyoming Avenue, 4th Floor, Scranton, PA 18503, or emailed to [email protected], or uploaded to the website at https://mysystemofcaresuperhero.org/nominate.
Submissions are due by Friday, February 28. Winners will be announced on March 18 at the Lackawanna County Government Center. Prizes will be awarded in multiple age groups. We will also recognize both the person who nominated a System of Care Superhero and the SOC Superhero, if named.
For more information, check out our website https://mysystemofcaresuperhero.org.
About the Lackawanna County System of Care
Lackawanna County System of Care (SOC) is an equal partnership of youth, families, and service providers committed to coordinating and enhancing community resources to support all people to thrive in Lackawanna County. The County’s SOC has been meeting since 2016 as part of the PA System of Care Partnership and has more than 30 human and social service organizations that meet monthly to discuss successes and to address concerns regarding the child serving systems in Lackawanna County. The goal is to have greater youth and family participation to help create solutions to problems from their life experience.
For more information about Lackawanna County System of Care, contact Lori Chaffers at either [email protected] or (570) 963-6781, Ext 1192.
Are you a parent or caregiver of a 5th or 6th grader? Would you like to learn some additional skills to help your child succeed and make your strong family stronger? If so, then register for the free Strengthening Families program this winter.
The Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth is a seven-week program designed to reduce adolescent substance abuse and other problematic behaviors in youth ages 10 – 14 years. It has been scientifically tested and the results have shown that children who have completed the program are less likely to become involved in risky behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse.
Parents and children begin each Strengthening Families session with a shared meal followed by break-out sessions for adults and youth. During the last hour, the families reunite to increase family bonding, positive communication skills and learn to solve problems together.
Two sessions will be held in Carbondale and Moosic. The Carbondale sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesdays starting on February 5 at the Carbondale Area Elementary School.
The Moosic session will run on Mondays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Riverside Elementary East School, starting February 24.
Youth will benefit from attending the sessions by learning to: prepare for their teen years, communicate with their parents, deal with stress and peer pressure, and avoid alcohol and drug problems. Parents and caregivers can enhance their parenting skills by: learning to set limits and show love, making house rules, encouraging good behavior, protecting their children from substance abuse, and learning how to handle stress.
The free program includes dinner for the family, prizes for attendance, and free child care for younger family members.
For more information or to register for this fun, family oriented program, call Karen Thomas at Penn State Extension in Lackawanna County at 570-963-6842.
Hurry, spots are limited so call today.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners 2020 Winter Golf Clinic will be held February 17 to March 12 at Goodwill Industries of NEPA Gym, 925 Prospect Ave, Scranton.
Based on current cold weather information, the Lackawanna County Commissioners are declaring a “Code Blue” frigid weather alert.
Utilizing forecasts from the National Weather Service at Binghamton, NY, and in consultation with the Lackawanna County Emergency Management Agency, a “Code Blue” is in effect for Lackawanna County, beginning at 11:30 AM on Friday, January 17, and ending at 6 PM on Saturday, January 18.
A “Code Blue” alert is issued when the forecasted temperature in Lackawanna County (including wind chills) is expected to reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If necessary, based on weather conditions, an extension of the alert may be issued.
The goal of this notification is to: make people aware of the extremely cold conditions; provide information related to health and wellness in the cold weather; and publicize the locations of emergency homeless shelters that are operated by area social service agencies.
During a “Code Blue” alert, homeless individuals can access an emergency shelter at the following locations:
- Keystone Mission, Weston Field House, 982 Providence Road, (doors open at 9 p.m.)
- Anthony’s Haven, 409 Olive Street, Scranton, (hours: 7:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.)
- Community Intervention Center, 445 North 6th Avenue, Scranton, (hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Information on personal health and safety during freezing weather can be found on the Lackawanna County homepage by visiting www.lackawannacounty.org and clicking on the “Code Blue Alert” icon on the right side of the screen. Alerts will also be posted on the County’s social media outlets for the duration of the advisory period.
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