| Who We Are The Agency began in 1891 and was known as Blair County Children's Aid Society, which was later chartered as the Children's Aid Society of Western Pennsylvania, caring for abused and neglected children. In 1946, Family Services of Altoona was incorporated to coordinate services to address the problems of a physical, financial, psychiatric and personal nature that affect family life. The agency merged with Blair County Children's Aid Society. In 1959, the agency became known as Family and Children's Service of Blair County. Blair County Children and Youth Services was legislatively created in the 1960s and assumed the responsibility of the care and eventual adoption of abused and neglected children. During the years of 1967 and 1968 a community-wide assessment was completed and determined that there was need for a nonprofit agency to provide skilled social work services directed toward resolving individual, marital and family problems. The United Way agency committed itself to funding Family and Children's Service of Blair County to provide programming and services to meet those needs. Responding to deinstitutionalization, the agency established a residential program for individuals with developmental disabilities in the 1970s. During the 1980s the agency initiated specialized services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and runaway and homeless youth. We became Family Services of Blair County officially in 1997. In 1998, the agency was awarded a STOP Violence Against Women Grant. Funding from this grant concentrates on law enforcement training and their response to domestic violence. What
Kind of Help Do We Need?
SUPPORT SERVICES - We produce a newsletter three times a year and an annual report which must be mailed to approximately 6,000 people. You may help with these mailings. DOMESTIC ABUSE PROJECT - We provide information and assistance to victims of domestic violence and emergency shelter for abused women and their dependent children. You may help us by providing hotline counseling, shelter supervision, and assistance with childcare, transportation, and community education. You must attend our 40-hour training program. CRIME VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES - CVSS provides assistance to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes and their families. Services include crisis intervention, emergency room accompaniment, supportive counseling, information and referral, courtroom accompaniment, and assistance in applying for State Crime Victims Compensation. You may donate time to any of the services listed above. You must attend our 65-hour training program prior to providing client services. RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM - We help these young people take care of their problems, reunite them with their families, strengthen family relationships and help resolve family problems, encourage stable living conditions, and help youth decide on future action. We provide an emergency shelter; individual and group counseling; transportation; assistance in finding alternative living arrangements; education, recreation, medical, and dental assistance; drug and alcohol services; and other referrals. Volunteers accompany youth on recreational activities, direct crafts at the shelter, and assist them with school-work. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES - We provide day programs and residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities. You may help us by taking clients on field trips or events, providing entertainment at the home (playing games or teaching crafts), and assisting with teaching daily living skills and personal care. BOARD AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS - We welcome interested people to serve on our board and committees. How
Can I Volunteer? Call 814-944-3583 |
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