School Social Work Services and Household Resources
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Dr. Dee Stalnecker, LSW, BCBA
Derry Township School Social Worker
717-531-2222 ext 4216One of my primary roles is to assist families connect with community resources. I am available to help you any way I can. I can help you fill out Compass applications (cash assistance, medical asssitance), refer you with mental health services, and connect you with food resources. If you are displaced from your home, I can help ensure your children's education isn't disrupted and provide you resources for housing. I also work with the special education department and help parents understand the documents used to outline the services provided to their child.
I can come to your home if that is more convenient for you, or we can meet at the school, or talk on the phone - whatever works for you. Below are additional resources.
Food
Cocoa Packs continues to provide free weekend food assistance to students. Packs can be picked up at the side of the Hershey Middle School on Wednesdays anytime between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. To enroll in Cocoa Packs, please contact cocoapacksenroll@gmail.com
The Hershey Food Bank is available to families twice a month that live in the Hershey area and are financially eligible. To enroll, please contact hersheyfoodbank@verizon.net or call 717-520-3143.
Pennsylvania has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), a new program which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures. If your family’s economic situation changed since school closures started, you may be eligible to qualify for this program and if you are already receiving benefits, you may be eligible to expand your benefits. APPLY HERE
Love INC
Love In the Name of Christ assists families with a multitude of services such as personal care item (detergent, shamppo, soaps, etc), referral services, and Faith in Finance classes. If there is a specific need (such a building a ramp at a home for a wheelchair bound family member) they reach out to the area churches to seek assistance. They also have a transitional home for those that are displaced called Homes of Hope. Contact 717-835-0101
Internet
Guide to Internet Service during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
You can get no-cost, in-home internet for up to two months during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak if you qualify for certain low-income internet programs or have a student living in your household. Here’s a list of the internet providers offering limited, no-cost internet services during the outbreak.
Provider
Service
Who qualifies
Offer
How to get it
Internet up to 30 Mbps
New customers with K–12 or college students in household
No cost for first 60 days
Internet up to 30 Mbps
New customers with K–12 or college students in household
No cost for first 60 days
Internet up to 100 Mbps and no installation fees
New customers with K–12 or college students in household
No cost for first 60 days
Internet Essentials package with speeds up to 25 Mbps
New Xfinity customers who are eligible to public assistance programs
No cost for first 60 days
($9.95/mo. after)
Internet up to 15 Mbps through Connect2Compete program
New Cox customers with at least one K–12 student in household
who qualifies for public assistance programsNo cost for first 30 days
($9.95/mo. after)
Data effective 3/18/20. Not all offers available in all areas. Prices and packages are subject to change.
- Keep Americans Connected
Every internet provider that has signed the Keep Americans Connected Pledge has also opened up their Wi-Fi hotspots for free public use.
- EveryoneOn (a search engine to help people find low-cost programs in their ZIP code)
- Best Internet Providers in Pennsylvania
https://www.whistleout.com/Internet/Guides/best-internet-providers-in-pennsylvania
- Comcast Xfinity WiFi Hotspots
The Lifeline Program is a federal government benefit that provides eligible low-income consumers a monthly discount on their phone or internet bill. The benefit can be used for voice (telephone), Broadband internet Access Service (or BIAS, usually called internet service), or a combined telephone/internet service product from a landline or wireless provider.
Utilities
Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP)
PULP provides information, assistance, and advice on low income residential and energy matters and assists consumers to connect to and maintain affordable utility and energy services. pulp@palegalaid.net or 717-233-4088.
