Patient Experience

Behavioral Health Clinic with Dr. Yadav

Site mentor: Dr. Sanjay Yadav

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Connecting with patients long-term over the year.
• Getting to know patients on a personal level.
• Working with patients with behavioral health challenges.
• Coordinating public transport, organizing appointments, assisting with medication organization and scheduling.

Penn State Health Breast Center, 30 Hope Dr., Suite 1800, Entrance A, Hershey, PA 17033

Site mentor: Dr. Melody Paulishak

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Attending multiple patient appointments.
• Assisting patients with community resources and appointment prep.
• Assisting with completing and providing a treatment summary/care plan to the patients at the visit.
• Making follow-up phone calls after appointments.
• Conducting home visits after surgery.

Eating Disorders Clinic, 905 W. Governor Road, No. 200, Hershey, PA, 17033

Site mentors: Dr. Martha Levine, MD (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Humanities and Director of the Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs, Division of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders); Amy Ethridge, MS, OTR/L (occupational therapist and clinical psychiatric specialist, Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Providing follow-up/accountability for patients’ relapse prevention plans.
• Home visits or grocery shopping trips as needed.
• Helping patients to identify and overcome any barriers to recovery.

I.O. Silver Cardiovascular Specialties Clinic, 200 Campus Dr., Suite 600, Hershey, PA 17033

Site mentor: Kathaleen King-Daily

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Meeting with heart failure patients.
• Home visits with patients.
• Following patients longitudinally through the care continuum.

Internal Medicine Immigrant/Refugee Clinic with Dr. Devaraj

Site mentor: Dr. Tanuja Devaraj (physician)

Site description: Experiences may include the following.

• Navigating up to four patients.
• Monthly meetings with Dr. Devaraj
• Home visits.
• Attending patient appointments.
• Working independently to locate resources for patients.

Interprofessional CARE Clinic

Site mentor: Dr. Michael Hayes, Dr. Leslie Womeldorf, Dr. William Curry

Site description: Experiences may include the following.

• Navigating up to four patients.
• Monthly meetings with interprofessional Care Team
• Home visits.
• Attending patient appointments.
• Working independently to locate resources for patients.

Life Lion EMS Community Paramedicine

Site mentor: Jason Druschel (program supervisor of Life Lion Community Paramedicine)

Site description: Life Lion EMS Community Paramedicine is a dedicated group of paramedics who perform home visits for patients, typically in a post-discharge timeframe. A division of Life Lion EMS, within the Department of Emergency Medicine, Community Paramedicine is tasked with post-acute care of heart failure, VAD and stroke patients. Additionally, on request, visits can be performed for high-risk or high-utilization patients identified by EMS crews. During these encounters, paramedics reinforce discharge instructions, evaluate safety, reconcile medications, assess physical status and disease progression, identify unaddressed medical and social needs, and work to provide critical system navigation.

Patient Navigation with Dr. Paul Haidet, Penn State Internal Medicine, 10 Conference Dr., Hershey, PA 17033

Site mentor: Dr. Paul Haidet (physician)

Site description: Experiences may include the following.

• Navigating up to four patients.
• Monthly meetings with Dr. Haidet.
• Home visits.
• Attending patient appointments.
• Working independently to locate resources for patients.

Patient Navigation at Fishburn Road Family Practice

Site mentor: Karen Newman (clinical case manager for Penn State Medical Group Fishburn Road family practice)

Site description: Responsibilities may include the following.

• Navigating patients with chronic illness.
• Working closely with nurse coordinator and social worker.
• Finding patient records.
• Communicating with care manager.
• Doing appointment reminders.
• Contacting agencies on behalf of the patient.
• Regularly calling patients to receive updates.
• Identifying barriers through active listening. Common barriers encountered include access to care, access to mental health treatment, access to transportation and cost of medications.

Patient Navigation at Harrisburg Clinic with Dr. Kantner/YMCA

Site mentors: Dr. Ann Kantner (Penn State Health physician) and Amy Jacobs (YMCA)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Calling patients to describe the various programs available at the YMCA.
• Connecting with patients long-term over the year.
• Getting to know patients on a personal level.
• Working with patients with complex chronic diseases.
• Coordinating public transport, organizing appointments, assisting with medication organization and scheduling.

Penn State Pediatrics

Site mentors: Becky Griffin and Desiree Albright

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Calling patient’s families to discuss care for pediatric patient
• Connecting with patients long-term over the year.
• Getting to know patients on a personal level.
• Coordinating public transport, organizing appointments, assisting with medication organization and scheduling.

Post-Acute Care Hub at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., Hershey, PA 17033

Site mentors: Dr. Nicole Osevala, Dr. Ayesha Ahmad, Dr. Rollin Wright and Dr. Leah Ross

Site description: Post-acute care includes rehabilitation or palliative services that beneficiaries receive after, or in some cases instead of, a stay in an acute care hospital. Depending on the intensity of care the patient requires, treatment may include a stay in a facility, ongoing outpatient therapy, or care provided at home. Patients receiving post-acute care services often have existing medical complexity or new diagnoses that impact their ability to care for themselves at home. The challenges can include severe physical disability, active medical issues requiring 24 hour nursing care or terminal illness with insufficient support at home.
Patient navigators will be provided with an orientation to include:

1. Group orientation with Dr. Nicole Osevala to review the various care settings within which students will meet patients across the care continuum and general structure of the navigation experience
2. A tour of your designated skilled nursing rehabilitative site along with an introduction to a Penn State Health Nurse Practitioner whom will guide students during the navigation experience
3. An orientation to the site, patient navigation expectations as well as instruction on tools navigators can utilize to assist patients during their care transitions

During your patient navigation experience with the post-acute care program, you will have the opportunity to follow assigned patient(s) from hospital discharge through their admission to the skilled nursing rehabilitation facility and then home, including clinic visits. Students will work with a Penn State Health Nurse Practitioner designated at each site. Utilizing Powerchart in Care Connect as well as the medical record utilized in the skilled nursing rehabilitative site, students will become familiar with the patient(s) and use Powerchart to communicate with the healthcare team.

Navigators will meet with patients/families at the time of admission to the skilled nursing rehabilitation site, visit their patients while they are receiving rehabilitative care, and near discharge from the skilled nursing site, identify barriers that may impact them at home, including social, physical and medical, and develop a plan. Following a patient’s discharge home, the student will utilize both phone calls and when possible, a home visit with the RN Care Manager or student partner, to reassess the patient and continue the navigation experience. A Penn State Health RN Care Manager will, in the majority of cases, follow the patient through day 30 post-hospital discharge. You are encouraged to interact with the RN Care Manager to maximize your navigation experience and impact. An assessment form will be provided to the navigator and a written plan prior to discharge home and again, after discharge home will be submitted to the site director. Discussion of assessments and new navigation issues will be held one on one and/or in site group cohorts at the end of each visit.

Post-Acute Care Learning Objectives:

• Follow patient/families longitudinally through the healthcare continuum
• Collaborate to develop a plan to overcome barriers to improve the patient’s care
• Reflect on the process of acquiring and telling the story and the nature of the navigator-patient relationship
• List the various discharge locations patients can be discharged to from a hospitalization
• Describe the main differences in the discharge locations from hospital as it relates to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing care services and physical assistance as well as medical care
• Understand the critical components of a safe patient handoff
• Understand the role of each professional at the skilled nursing rehabilitative site & across the care continuum including the physicians, advance practice clinicians, PT, OT, SLP, care manager, social worker, dietician, PCP and other providers involved in the patient’s care
• Identify the importance of teamwork that spans across clinical settings
• Be knowledgeable of community, insurance company and government based resources and how to access them.
• Assist with navigation of the patient(s) and family through the healthcare continuum
• Gain confidence and knowledge in communication, education, support, problem solving and navigation of patient/family
• Understand professionalism in the context of communicating of providing for patients from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Explore how to use the knowledge in one’s own role and the roles of other health professionals to appropriately assess the health care needs of the patients and populations served
• Apply the systems thinking lens and the principles of systems thinking to your experience
• Arrange visits with the patient while at the skilled nursing rehabilitative site, home and clinic appointments, both in person and by phone
• Communicate with your patient’s providers across the care continuum, as needed, to assist in navigation, addressing questions that arise and facilitating smooth transitions of care
• Actively assist in problem solving to overcome patient barriers after they are discharged home
• Understand the impact/interaction of medical, social and health system complexity and each components’ contribution to negative outcomes for a patient

Geriatrics Learning Objectives

• In adults over the age of 65 years old, identify geriatric syndromes such as falls, dementia, incontinence, sensory deficits (hearing, vision), ambulatory dysfunction, weight loss and frailty
• As it relates to geriatric syndromes, consider measures to keep patients living safely at home or how to improve upon the symptoms related to the syndromes
• Identify barriers that contribute to an older adult being unable to live independently and what interventions may aide in keeping the individual living safely at home
• Identify situations that lead a patient to remain in long-term care
• Identify situations in which palliative care or hospice are appropriate to consider or pursue
• Understand how polypharmacy and medication side effects can lead to injury or hospitalization and be familiar with the American Geriatrics Society Beer’s Criteria

Student checklist for completing home visits

• Home visit prep
  • Where are you going? Is it a safe area?
  • Confirm directions and share contact information with site mentor.
  • Always attend a home visit in pairs.
• Patient Priorities
  • Ask open-ended questions to learn the patient’s perception of their medical problems and what they doing to fix their problems.
  • No more than three goals at a time, less; if the patient seems overwhelmed.Action: Use active listening techniques to confirm you have a clear understanding of what the patient feels is important.
• Appointment Preparation
  • Ensure that the patient is aware of his/her appointments.
  • Is the patient prepared to attend his/her appointments?
  • Does the patient have transportation to and from the appointments?Action: Help them develop a list of questions to take with them. If needed, help the patient locate transportation.
• Medication Review
  • Review medications.
  • Check medication adherence/ reasons for not purchasing or taking medication.
  • Discuss cost concerns, patient deductibles, etc.
  • What system does the patient use to dispense their medications: pill box, from the bottle directly, or other means?
  • Does the patient have any discontinued medications?
  • Check the pill count against the label/instructions (this will verify if the patient is taking it correctly).Action: Direct any questions about medications to the nurse or physician direct patients to the staff who are handling these issues.
• Insurance
  • Ask the patient about their experience with using insurance.
  • Does the patient need to get pre-authorizations?
  • Discuss cost concerns, patient deductibles, etc.
  • Does the patient’s insurance cover his/her appointments?Action: Direct patients to the staff who are handling these issues. If you are not sure, assist with a call to insurance member services. You may need the insurance ID and NPI number.

Evaluation and management tools

Download the following documents from OneDrive (Penn State Access ID sign-in required):

• Patient Navigation Template at acute care facility
• Falls
• Frailty

Pre-Anesthesia Clinic at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., Hershey, PA 17033

Site mentor: Charlynn Duncan (nurse practitioner)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Shadowing nurse practitioners.
• Observing patient surgeries.
• Providing patient with access to transportation.
• PCP contacts.
• Many conversations with patients to identify barriers to health care.

Site mentor: Heidi Young (social worker)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Working with four patients long-term over the year.
• Getting to know patients on a personal level.
• Working with patients with complex chronic diseases.
• Coordinating public transport, organizing appointments, assisting with medication organization and scheduling.

Penn State Health Rehabilitation Hospital, 1135 Old W. Chocolate Ave., Hummelstown, PA 17036

Site mentors: Nancy Lokey (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation nurse coordinator) and Wendy Baker (social worker)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Meeting with multiple patients per session and providing means to ease transition from the rehab hospital to home.
• Providing information to patients and caretakers on support groups, assistance programs, transportation, nursing programs and other community resources.
• Acting as a conversational outlet for patients within the facility and at home.
• Assessing the patient’s home environment.

SCOPE with Dr. Mendez-Miller

Site mentor: Dr. Megan Mendez-Miller (physician)

Site description: Experiences may include the following.

• Navigating up to four patients.
• Monthly meetings with Dr. Mendez-Miller
• Home visits.
• Attending patient appointments.
• Working independently to locate resources for patients.

Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope, 248 Seneca St., Harrisburg, PA 17110

Site mentor: Kay Huber

Site description: Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope is a faith-based, free primary health care clinic serving the uninsured and underserved in the Greater Harrisburg communities. The clinic provides health education and the promotion of health and health care to adults 18 and older. Students assist patients by completing home visits with “no-show” patients and communicating their findings with the care team.

Lebanon Free Clinic, 135 S. Ninth St., No. 2, Lebanon, PA 17042

Site mentor: Margaret Brandt (office manager)

Site description: Site experiences may include the following.

• Physician shadowing.
• Discussing nutrition with patients.
• Helping patients who were previously identified by site mentor to access technology, find employment and access medical resources.

Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042

Site mentor: Dr. Michael MaCauley (physician)

Site description: Site experience may include the following.

• Working with a veteran patient population.
• Gaining insight into addiction and mental health issues.
• Briefing with chief residents.
• Identification of patients.
• Exploring patient history.
• Relaying patient concerns with level of care or financial/social barriers to the physicians.
• Identifying common barriers to care: use of new/changing medications, completing follow-up care plans, recognizing need for changing living situations.
• Working with care coordination referral team.
• Understanding various models of health care systems and providing possible improvements.

When assessing resources, it is important for patient navigators to understand that resources change all the time. A resource that was available two months ago may no longer be available today. The resources listed on this page are updated as frequently as possible, but navigators should verify before providing any resource and assess resources themselves.

Understand the Community and the Issues

• Review local data (poverty levels, mortality rates, etc.)
• Talk to site mentors and medical team
• Discuss resources with social workers, health educators, etc.
• Contact people involved in the community

Be aware of local organizations

• Churches
• Food banks
• Free clinics
• Schools
• Community centers
• Local support groups

Search online and examine printed materials (merchandisers, newspapers, flyers, etc.) for upcoming events.

Develop a Resource Directory

• Look for resources at the local, state and national level
• Keep a resource book and share it with peers
• Help to expand resources at the clinical site

• PA211: PA211.org is a guide for finding support groups, primary care physicians, food pantries, homeless shelters, etc. 
• AARP: This organization provides services to older Americans, including prescription assistance for those 55 and older.
• Aging and Disability Resource Center: This organization provides assistance with obtaining resources related to aging and disabilities. Call 800-753-8827 for the helpline.
• American Red Cross: This organization provides support after disasters.
• APPRISE: APPRISE is a free, public program of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that provides free health insurance counseling for patients with Medicare insurance to help them compare options. APPRISE counselors can help patients understand their Medicare benefits, their eligibility and enrollment, the Medicare appeals process, long-term care policies, etc.
• Aunt Bertha: Search by ZIP code for free and low-cost resources like medical care, food, job training and more.
• Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania: The mission of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is to foster a community of education, advocacy, supports and research to maximize the quality of life for those with brain injuries and their families.
• Case management at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Call 717-531-6955 for information on this program, which assists with case management and social work needs.
• Center for Independent Living of Central PA: This program provides services to people living with disabilities.
• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank: Provides information on soup kitchens, food banks, etc., based on ZIP code.
• Central Pennsylvania Literacy Council: Call 717-763-7522 for information on literacy services in various central Pennsylvania counties, including Lancaster, Reading, Perry and York.
• Child abuse and neglect registry: Instructions on Childline reporting of child abuse by 24-hour phone line and online reporting.
• Child welfare: A list of PA child welfare services for providers.
• CHIP Children’s Health Insurance: Call 800-543-8101.
• Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: Provides resources and education for spinal cord injury and paralysis patients.
• COMPASS – Medicaid: Applying Medical Assistance and other benefits through the Department of Human Services.
• County Assistance Office contacts: Search by location to obtain assistance with Medical Assistance and other county benefits.
• County Health Rankings and Roadmap: Website that compares counties based on health statistics.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (U.S.): Provides resources for those who have served in the military and their families.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (Pennsylvania): Specific resources for Pennsylvania veterans.
• Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-932-4632.
• Drug and Alcohol “Get Help Now” search: Resources for individuals seeking treatment services, searchable by location.
• Eldercare Locator: This U.S. government service helps people find home and community-based resources for seniors.
• Elder Helpers: Elder Helpers is a user-friendly, web-based service. Volunteers register to offer their services (transportation, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.) based on their desire to help elders. The Elder Helpers program strives to safely and conveniently connect these dedicated, passionate volunteers with elders in their local communities. A $50 monthly donation to the organization by participants is required in order to request services.
• Eligibility.com: Provides a quick list of financial criteria for local and state assistance programs.
• The EveryONE Project: State and local information for navigation projects and resources.
• Fair Housing Council: Call 717-238-9540 for information on this program, which provides credit counseling services for low- to moderate-income people.
• Financial Counseling at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Call 717-531-5069.
• Food stamps (SNAP): This program provides food stamps based on income criteria that include all of a family’s income. Call 800-692-7462.
• GoodRx: This site allows users to compare prescription costs at local pharmacies.
• HEALFundr: This site is a crowd-funding platform for medical needs.
• Hershey-area lodging: This list includes many hotels in the Hershey area that provide discounts to families of Penn State Health patients, as well as special services like the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and Ronald McDonald House.
• Keep Kids Safe: Educational resources on child abuse and neglect.
• LeadingAge PA: This is an association of not-for-profit services for senior citizens.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Call 866-857-7095.
• Meals on Wheels: This national group provides home-delivered meals to senior citizens.
• Medical Assistance: Call 866-550-4355.
• Merck Patient Assistance Program: Call 800-727-5400 for details on this program, which provides medications/vaccines for those who can’t afford them.
• Mom’s Meals: This group provides high-quality meal solutions direct to the homes of seniors and patients nationwide. Customers choose every meal every order from a broad selection of entrees.
• National Hunger Hot Line: Call 866-348-6479 for information on food resources.
• Needymeds: An organization that provides drug assistance, drug coupons for prescription and over-the-counter medications, disease-specific assistance programs on a national and state level, and a locator for free and low-cost dental and medical clinics within 20 miles of a patient’s ZIP code.
• PACE and PACENET: These are Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults, which offer low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents 65 and older.
• PA Counseling Services: Call 855-272-1653 for details on PA Counseling’s mental health programs in various counties.
• PA Department of Health – COVID-19 resource page; also includes links in the menu to other health information, statistics, etc.
• PA Family Support Alliance: Educational resources, training and statistics about child abuse.
• PAN Foundation: The PAN Foundation offers nearly 70 disease-specific assistance programs to help patients pay for their out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance, travel expenses and health insurance premiums.
• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: The Department of Agriculture provides nutritional resources and research statewide and locally.
• Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Assistance with educational resources on chemical dependency and treatment.
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Human services information is available through the website and the helpline at 800-692-7462.
• Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles: Information on how physicians can revoke driver’s licenses and perform other medical reporting procedures.
• Pennsylvania Insurance Department: The department provides assistance with insurance obstacles, complaints and a list of local insurance companies available to consumers.
• Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: This program provides equipment, modifications and financial assistance with return to work or school.
• Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute: This is a collaboration between Penn State Health and UPMC Pinnacle that provides behavioral health services to the residents of Central Pennsylvania and surrounding region. Call 800-995-8207 for assistance.
• Pennsylvania Waiver Program Independent Enrollment Broker: The Independent Enrollment Broker is a contracted statewide entity to facilitate and streamline the eligibility/enrollment process for applicants seeking services for several Pennsylvania waivers/programs.
• Personal Care Homes guide: This resource was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
• Philhaven Behavioral Health: Call 800-932-0359 for details on Philhaven’s inpatient and outpatient mental health programs.
• PillPack: This mail-order pharmacy packages pills in envelopes for each day and is accepted by many insurances.
• Prescription assistance at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Call 717-531-2982 for information on this program, which assists with medication needs for underinsured or uninsured people.
• Prevention Produce: This program is part of the Penn State College of Medicine group Food as Medicine, led by Dr. Danny George. It allows medical students to be matched with patients within Penn State Health who have been referred by providers and identified to potentially benefit from a nutrition intervention program. The program involves the medical student meeting with the referred patient at a local farmer’s market four times over the course of six weeks. Each meeting consists of reviewing a packet of themed nutrition education materials, followed by shopping together in the market. A large benefit of this program is the interaction between student and patient, from guided learning to healthy advice while shopping. Also, this program aims to aid in access to fresh produce, as each patient is given $10 to spend in the market, per family member, up to four family members. For details, email Anna Scipioni at ascipioni@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
• ProduceRX: Through this Penn State College of Medicine program, doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants prescribe fresh produce to patients who can use the prescription to get reduced-rate fruits and vegetables. Participating providers determine eligibility, with undeserved populations and high-risk patients for conditions like diabetes and heart disease being primary targets. A newsletter and videos provide recipes and tips to healthy eating. For details, email Marina Mizell at mmizell@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or Emma Baker at ebaker4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
• Property tax/rent rebate program: Call 800-772-5246.
• Psychiatric services at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Call 717-531-8521.
• QUAD Foundation: The QUAD Foundation is committed to assisting and supporting survivors of spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegic paralysis.
• Rental Help for Pennsylvania (HUD): Provides assistance and information on public housing.
• Rx Assist: This Patient Assistance Program Center provides free medications for those who can’t afford them.
• Rx Hope: This Patient Assistance Program Center provides free medications for those who can’t afford them.
• SNAP benefits: Applying for food stamps based on income criteria considering the entire family’s income.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Federal program provides up-to-date research and educational information.
• Suicide Hotline: Call 800-273-8255.
• Travis Roy Foundation: Provides services to those with spinal cord injuries and their families.
• Tri-State Advocacy Project: Provides assistance with insurance denials and other community needs.
• United Disabilities Services Home Assistance: UDS provides assistance with home modifications for those with disabilities and those who are elderly.

• Cumberland County Health and Human Services
• Cumberland County Mental Health: Call 717-763-2222.
• Cumberland County support groups
• Holy Spirit Hospital Crisis Line: Call 717-763-2222.
• Perry County Family Center: Call 717-582-3656 for details on this center, which offers resources including financial literacy classes.
• Perry County Mental Health: Call 800-350-4357.
• Services available for Perry County residents

• Allison Hill Community Pantry: Call 717-232-3246 for information on this food pantry.
• Antioch Tabernacle: Call 717-233-1047 for information on this food pantry.
• Beacon Clinic: Call 717-775-1111 for information on this health clinic for underinsured people.
• Bethany Church of the Nazarene: Call 717-545-1633 for information on this food pantry.
• Bethesda Mission: Call 717-525-9052 for information on the Mission, which provides health care services, a soup kitchen and other support.
• Bread of Life: Call 717-567-3333 for information on this food pantry, which provides emergency food distribution, regular monthly food distribution and holiday baskets.
• Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness: Provides a variety of services, including lists of food, health and dental care options for homeless people.
• Changing Hands: This program provides reuse for assistive technology equipment and will provide home assessments to determine what home safety equipment may be needed.
• Christ Lutheran Church: Call 717-236-8382 for information on food vouchers.
• Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging: This county-based service provides assistance in the home, transportation, elder abuse resources, Meals on Wheels and health insurance counseling.
• Dauphin County Crisis Intervention: Provides support for people who are having a mental health crisis. Call 717-232-7511.
• Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Commission: Provides in-person intake appointments to assess substance treatment needs and internet resources for drugs and alcohol.
• Dauphin County “How do I…?” Resource Overview: Provides quick links on how to access various services in the county.
• Department of Human Services Phone numbers: County Assistance and other related phone numbers
• Derry Township Parks and Recreation: Call 717-533-7138 for information on Hershey-area parks.
• Downtown Daily Bread: Call 717-238-4717 for information on this food pantry.
• Dauphin County support groups: This list is compiled by Psychology Today.
• Friendship Community Center: Call 717-657-5635 for information on this center, which serves Harrisburg.
• Fresh Food Farmacy: Call 800-275-6401 for information on this program that focuses on food-related behavior and lifestyle change.
• Get Help Now: Individuals seeking treatment for addiction/dependency
• Hamilton Health Center: Call 717-232-9971 for information on this health clinic for underinsured people.
• Healthy Start and Baby Love: Call 717-909-1278 for information on this health clinic for underinsured mothers and children.
• Help Ministries: Call 717-238-2851 for information on food vouchers.
• Hershey Food Bank: Call 717-520-3143 for information on this food pantry.
• Housing and Urban Development: Housing authority assistance and public housing
• LionCare: A free medical clinic run by students of Penn State College of Medicine at Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg; also provideds mental health services. Call 717-257-4440, ext. 312 for details.
• Millennium Neighborhood Church: Call 717-234-2445 for information on food vouchers.
• Planned Parenthood: Call 717-234-3024 for information on the reproductive health services offered for underinsured people.
• Public county transportation Capital Area Transit (CAT):  Bus routes, disability, senior applications. Use applications from CAT website for the most up to date version.
• Salvation Army Compassionate Closure Program: Through this program, qualified patients can receive funds for a small funeral service, cremation and urn after death. The patient and family cannot have more than $1,800 in assets; they must be from Cumberland County or Dauphin County; and there are requirements about how the patient passed. All religions are accepted. For details, call 717-233-6755.
• Shared Ministries: Call 717-232-0877 for information on food vouchers.
• St. Francis of Assisi: Call 717-236-4506 for information on this food pantry.
• YWCA of Greater Harrisburg: The YWCA offers a 24-hour hot line and individual and group mental health counseling, among other services. Call 800-654-1211 for the hot line.

• Arch Street Center: Arch Street Center supports the recovery of adults living with serious mental illness by providing social, moral and material support, recreational and hygiene facilities and fresh, nutritious meals in a safe, nurturing environment.
• Alpha and Omega Community Center: Call 717-394-3021 for information on this center, which also has a food pantry.
• Disability Empowerment Center of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties: DEC provides free and confidential services that prioritize self-determination, consumer control and personal choice to individuals of all ages, and with all types of disabilities.
• Family First Health: Call 717-299-4644 for information on this health clinic for underinsured people.
• Gears Community Center: Call 717-367-0119 for information on this center, which serves the Elizabethtown area.
• Hope within Community: Call 717-367-9797 for details on this clinic, which serves underinsured people.
• Housing Development Corporation Mid Atlantic: This Lancaster-based group owns or manages more than 3,500 affordable rental homes in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland serving 4,700 families, seniors and people with disabilities.
• Hunger Free Lancaster County: This group tries to ensure sustainable access to three healthy meals a day for all Lancaster County residents.
• Lancaster City Housing Authority: LCHA provides affordable housing to eligible single people, couples and families within the City of Lancaster through more than 550 public housing units in six communities.
• Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services: BH/DS provides services to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, children and youth with emotional disturbance, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and children
  from birth to three years old who have developmenal delays.
• Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness: LCCEH is a network of health and human service providers, business leaders and private sector individuals working to eradicate homelessness in Lancaster City and County through service coordination, advocacy, public education, and community organizing.
• Lancaster County Council of Churches Food Hub: Food Hub provides fresh and healthy food to to 1,000 and more families a month.
• Lancaster County Crisis Intervention: Crisis Intervention is a 24-hour emergency mental health service provided for persons experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
• Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission: This commission provide access to high-quality, community-based drug and alcohol prevention and education services for all citizens, and treatment services to uninsured and under-insured low-income citizens.
• Lancaster County Mental Health: Call 717-394-2631.
• Lancaster County Office of Aging: Offers a variety of resources for senior citizens, including a list of senior centers.
• Lancaster County support groups: This list is compiled by Psychology Today.
• Lancaster Family YMCA Community Health Programs: The YMCA employs evidence-based programs that help people reduce their risk of chronic disease, better manage chronic conditions and reclaim wellness after illness.
• Lancaster General Health low-cost dental services: These services are provided through Dental Access Lancaster County (DALCO).
• Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership: This groups offers a number of housing programs and resources.
• Lighten Up Lancaster County: This coalition of parents, students, educators, wellness professionals, health care providers, local government officials, recreation and fitness facilities, non-profits and businesses helps promote physical activity and healthy eating.
• Love INC of Lancaster County: A network of more than 165 Lancaster County churches from 24 different denominations that allows individual congregations to meet the needs of the community by connecting caring church volunteers with people in need of their skills.
• RASE Program of Lancaster: This program provides recovery coaching, recovery support groups, buprenorphine care coordination, annual events and all-day drop-in services for those recovering from addiction.
• Red Rose Transit Authority: The Red Rose Transit Authority exists to provide effective public transportation services to the citizens of Lancaster County.
• Southeast Lancaster Dental Clinic: Call 717-299-6371 for details on this low-cost clinic.
• United Way of Lancaster County resource guide: Links to a variety of services are available. There is also a link to No Wrong Door, which offers information on adoption, children’s services, daycare, selecting a child-care provider, disaster/crisis, drugs and alcohol, education, the public library system, the public school system, finances, government, grief counseling, health, housing/home repairs, legal, local municipalities/points of interest, mental health, military resources, recreation/leisure, service organizations, social services, special needs, support groups, transition, transportation and volunteer opportunities.
• Water Street Mission: Water Street Mission provides meals and shelter, as well as medical, dental, behavioral health, spiritual and career support to people who are homeless or at 200 percent of the poverty level or less.
• Welsh Mountain Dental Clinic: Call 717-354-4711 for information on this low-cost clinic.

• Caring Cupboard: Call 717-838-9493 for information on this food pantry, which serves Palmyra.
• Community Health Council of Lebanon County: This group is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to encourage and support a safe, healthy, and substance-free community for every individual with a focus on youth. It offers resources related to teen pregnancy, suicide prevention, tobacco use and more.
• Compeer of Lebanon County: This program recruits, screens, trains and matches volunteers in one-to-one friendship relationships with adults who are receiving mental health treatment.
• Disability Empowerment Center of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties: DEC provides free and confidential services that prioritize self-determination, consumer control and personal choice to individuals of all ages, and with all types of disabilities.
• Jubilee Ministries Lebanon clothing store: 235 S. 12th St., Lebanon PA 17042
• Juniper Village at Lebanon: Personal care living community at 125 Birch Road, Lebanon, PA 17042; 717-272-8782
• Lebanon County Agency on Aging: Links to many different services in Lebanon county are available, including an eldercare daytime program, home support services, in-home care services, Meals on Wheels, senior community centers and more.
• Lebanon County Christian Ministries: LCCM serves as the food and clothing bank for Lebanon County. Eligibility for food and/or clothing is based on need, not income. An interview of the family or individual is used to determine the need. Interviews are also used to determine if other services or referrals to other agencies could be provided.
• Lebanon County Community Action Partnership: Services include child care assistance, transportation, case management, rental assistance, shelter assistance, bridge and transitional housing, shelter housing, information and referral, job readiness and life skills education.
• Lebanon County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: This organization offers applications for low-cost housing, among other services.
• Lebanon County Mental Health: Call 717-274-3363.
• Lebanon County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Program: This program provides services to residents who have certain mental health diagnoses, a diagnosis of an intellectual disability or to children from birth to 3 years old who have the risk of developmental delay.
• Lebanon Family Health Services: This program offers education, nutrition and reproductive health services to the uninsured and underinsured families of Lebanon County with emphasis on women, infants and children.
• Lebanon Free Clinic: This clinic provides primary and behavioral health care to those living in Lebanon County who are uninsured. Doctors, nurses and support staff volunteer their time and provide health care services funded by donations.
• Lebanon Ridge Community Clinic: Call 717-272-2700 for information on this medical and dental clinic for underinsured people.
• Lebanon Valley Volunteers in Medicine: This free health clinic serves residents of Lebanon County, 18 to 64 years old, who are uninsured or underinsured.
• Meals on Wheels: Meals are delivered to eligible persons age 60 and over who can’t afford or are unable to prepare meals. This program is offered through the Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging.
• New Path Homeless Family Ministry (part of Jubilee Ministries): The New Path program offers shelter and in-depth care, including training and education, to men, women and children.
• Salvation Army: 2211 E. Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA 17042 and 1031 Guilford St., Lebanon, PA 17046
• Shadow Stone Community Center: Call 717-832-3850 for information on this center, which serves Palmyra.
• South Central Food Bank: Call 717-564-1700 for information on this food pantry and its fresh produce distribution program.
• Spang Crest: A Luthercare Community: Personal care living community at 945 Duke St., Lebanon, PA 17042; 717-274-1495
• United Way of Lebanon County resource guide: Links to a variety of services are available. There is also a link to No Wrong Door, which offers information on adoption, children’s services, daycare, selecting a child-care provider, disaster/crisis, drugs and alcohol, education, the public library system, the public school system, finances, government, grief counseling, health, housing/home repairs, legal, local municipalities/points of interest, mental health, military resources, recreation/leisure, service organizations, social services, special needs, support groups, transition, transportation and volunteer opportunities.

A number of resources are available specifically for people with diabetes.

The following are potential resources for smoking cessation.

The following are potential resources for translation needs.

A number of transportation-specific resources are available for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

The following are potential resources for vision needs.

The following are potential resources for weight loss needs.

The following are potential resources for organ transplant needs.