Multiple agencies prepared to assist residents in winter weather conditions
Delaware County Council reminds residents that various County agencies offer additional support and resources to the homeless, elderly and vulnerable residents when harsh cold, snow, and freezing conditions take place during the winter season. When weather conditions pose a threat to individuals who are homeless, elderly or medically fragile, a network of agencies works to help residents obtain shelter, food, and assistance.
“Several of our County agencies are prepared to help residents cope with extreme weather conditions, from sheltering the homeless to reaching out to the elderly,” said Chairman John McBlain. “We want to remind our residents about these services should they need assistance or if they know of someone who needs help. No one should suffer in the cold without shelter or heat.”
The following Delaware County agencies assist people year-round and also during extreme weather conditions:
The Delaware County Division of Adult and Family Services and the Office of Behavioral Health partners with various agencies to offer additional services through the Homeless Services Coalition of Delaware County, a group of 90 individuals and organizations dedicated to providing services to the homeless. They also provide a winter shelter directory that is distributed to police, municipalities, school districts, and other officials. In addition, the office publishes a Survival Guide to Homeless Services that details a variety of services including shelters, housing, meals, treatment programs, and government services.
http://www.delcohsa.org/adultfamily.html
610-713-2365
The County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) extends outreach to senior citizens, including having case managers check on seniors who may be vulnerable. Tips on how to stay warm and safe during the winter are available on COSA’s informational weatherline: 610-872-1558
www.delcosa.org
610-490-1300
The County Department of Intercommunity Health provides information to connect residents to temporary housing and assistance with food and utilities.
www.delcopa.gov/ich
610-891-5311
Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) is the county’s anti-poverty agency and can assist residents with obtaining shelter and meals.
www.caadc.org
610-874-8451
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating bills. PECO also offers programs for people experiencing a hardship, a low-income usage reduction program and discounted rates for low-income families.
LIHEAP:
www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/heatingassistanceliheap
1-866-857-7095
PECO:
www.peco.com
1-800-494-4000
During cold weather, outreach teams and local authorities can take homeless adults to shelter programs, which are operated by the Salvation Army Chester Corps, Connect-by-Night, a project of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County to access overflow shelter on cold nights.
The Mental Health Association’s Connect-by Night (CBN) Program transports people to host churches from their office located at 7200 Chestnut Street in Upper Darby. The Connect program is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and transportation to the host churches begins at 9 p.m.
Salvation Army: 151 W. 15th St., Chester, PA. 610-874-0423
Connect-by-Night: 7200 Chestnut St., Upper Darby, PA. 267-507-3970
Community Action Agency: 610-874-8451
Life Center of Eastern Delaware Count: 610-734-5770
Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system which alerts residents of weather emergencies such as road closures, power outages, and other extreme weather situations.
Register to for Delco Alert here:
www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html