Delco Officials Offering Winter Weather Resources For County Residents

Delaware County officials are spreading awareness of cold weather resources to county residents, urging residents to be ready when winter's nasty weather hits.

Whether we experience an arctic vortex, a nor'easter, a blizzard, or freezing rain, the county is reminding residents that various agencies offer support to vulnerable residents when winter rears its ugly head.

“There are several ways that County agencies try to help residents cope with extreme weather conditions, from sheltering the homeless to reaching out to the elderly,” County Councilman Dave White said in a statement. “It’s important for residents to know about these services so we can look out for each other. No one should suffer through a blizzard without shelter or heat.”

Here are some of the agencies in Delaware County that provide assistance to people year-round and during extreme weather conditions.

• The Delaware County Division of Adult and Family Services of the Office of Behavioral Health partners with various agencies to offer additional services through the Homeless Services Coalition of Delaware County. They also provide a winter shelter directory that is distributed to police, municipalities, school districts and other officials.
• 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 winter’s cold weather are available on COSA’s informational weatherline at (610) 872-1558.
• The County Department of Intercommunity Health provides information to help people avoid medical emergencies, such as hypothermia and frost bite, during Code Blue conditions.
• Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) is the county’s anti-poverty agency that can assist economically disadvantaged households.

County staff can also help residents connect with home energy assistance programs, according to a press release.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating bills. For information on LIHEAP, call 1-866-857-7095.

PECO offers a CARES Program for people experiencing a hardship, a low-income usage reduction program and discounted rates for low-income families, the county said. For information on PECO energy assistance programs call 1-800-774-7040.

White also discussed various services for elderly and vulnerable residents.

“Delaware County has many programs that assist people year-round, but we want to stress that extra precautions are taking place during the winter months,” White said in a statement. “We especially want our local police and social services agencies to know about these resources as they come in contact with residents who might need help.”

The county’s Adult and Family Services Division, based in Upper Darby, participates in the leadership of the Homeless Services Coalition, a group of 90 individuals and organizations dedicated to providing services to the homeless.During cold weather, authorities can take homeless adults to shelter programs, which are operated by the Salvation Army Chester Corps and Connect, a project of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, according to the county.

The Mental Health Association’s Connect-by Night (CBN) Program transports people to host churches from their office located at 7200 Chestnut St., Upper Darby. The Connect program is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and transportation to the host churches begins at 9 p.m, the county said.

Each year, the Office of Adult and Family Services distributes an updated Emergency Shelter Directory

to all police stations, municipalities, hospital emergency rooms and social service agencies, according to the county.

You can also contact Adult and Family Services at (610) 713-2571 or (610) 713-2365 for a shelter directory.

The office also publishes a Survival Guide to Homeless Services that details a variety of services

including shelters, housing, meals, treatment programs and government services.

• Elderly residents are also vulnerable during winter storms. People who are over age 60 and need assistance can contact the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) at (610) 490-1300. COSA Director Denise Stewart said COSA’s case managers look in on elderly residents who might be vulnerable during extreme weather conditions.
• Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system that sends messages to people’s mobile devices to alert them of weather emergencies, road closures and other extreme weather situations. Check out the DelcoAlert site here.

Some other county resources include:

• Salvation Army: 151 W. 15th St., Chester. Call 610-874-0423
• Connect: 7200 Chestnut St., Upper Darby. Call 267-507-3970.
• Community Action Agency: Call 610-874-8451.

Pictured above from left are Denise Stewart, Director of the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA); Councilman and liaison to Human Services Dave White; and Human Services Director Joe Dougherty.

Image via Delaware County