Brussels imposes curfew on bars as coronavirus cases soar

Judges: Alaska Native corporations ineligible for aid funds

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; In August 2020, the top five agency referrals for PA 211 NE Luzerne County callers were to several agencies: Commission on Economic Opportunity, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Commonwealth Health.
				The top needs identified by PA 211 NE Luzerne County callers in August 2020 were: talk lines/warm lines, community shelters, food pantries, rent payment assistance and mental health crisis lines.
				Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania is the provider of PA 211 NE services. In July 2019, PA 211 NE commenced providing reports to stakeholders&mdash;these reports are provided monthly, quarterly, and annually by region and by county. The PA 211 NE region includes the following 17 counties: Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming.
				The utility of these reports include providing information to funders to determine the most pressing needs in their region. The reports also advise the community of the top agency referrals.
				Gert McGowan, President/CEO of Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said the agency &ldquo;is happy to continue to aid the residents of the 17-county region even more so in this unprecedented time.&rdquo;
				&ldquo;I encourage all readers to use 211, or refer friends or family in need to this critical service,&rdquo; McGowan said.
				According to the report, total phone and text contacts to PA 211 NE in Luzerne County in August 2020, totaled 699. Luzerne County residents had 79 website session and 222 page views &mdash; 84% of the callers were between the ages of 18 to 69 years; 8% of the callers were between the ages of 70 and 79. The balance of callers either refused to identify age or were 80 years or older.
				Tom Foley, Director of PA 211 NE, is the drafter of the reports to the community.
				&ldquo;I am thrilled that the demand for these reports continues to grow,&rdquo; Foley said. &ldquo;They are now available on the pa211ne.org website.&rdquo;
				Total phone and text contacts to PA 211 NE in Fiscal Year 2020 from the 17-county region totaled 2,204. PA 211 NE experienced 408 website sessions with over 935 page views for the entire 17-county region &mdash; 91% of the callers were between the ages of 18 to 69 years; 6 % of the callers were between the ages of 70 and 79. The balance of callers either refused to identify age or were 80 years or older.
				In each report, PA 211 NE provides a quote of appreciation from one of its providers. In the August 2020 report, the PA 211 caller stated, &ldquo;&#8230;very helpful and informative&rdquo;
				Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania urges those in need of a referral to human services, disaster recovery or crisis to call 211, text 211 (898-211 plus provide a zip code) or log onto pa211ne.org.

PA 211 NE releases August 2020 Luzerne County and regional reports