Friendship House awarded grant for ABA staff recruitment

Posted on December 31, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Friendship House was recently awarded a three-year grant from the Northeast Health Care Foundation in the amount of $45,000 to support its efforts to recruit and retain staff working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This grant will provide one-time sign on bonuses for both clinical staff and direct care staff hired by Friendship House.

According to Alex J. Hazzouri, President/CEO at Friendship House “this grant through the Northeast Health Care Foundation is critically important to support our efforts to recruit staff to work in our Autism Center and community-based programs serving children with autism. Staffing these programs has been a challenge for all agencies. Through this grant, Friendship House is optimistic we will be able to hire additional staff, enabling us to provide these critical services to more children in Lackawanna County”.

Friendship House, well known for its services provided to children with ASD and their families provides these services in a state-of-the-art Center located on East Mountain in Scranton. The Center provides a structured day program for children 18 months to 7 years of age, delivering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services during the child’s developmental years. This early intervention initiative is viewed as a critical step to position the child to achieve their full potential as they move into the school setting.

The Friendship House Autism Center provides one-to-one staffing when needed and group services for those children needing less support. The program is clinically supervised by four Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) who develop individualized treatment plans and provide clinical support to the staff delivering direct care services. The BCBAs and other clinical staff also work closely with the child’s family to ensure skill development within the Center is transferred to the home settings.

As the child prepares to graduate from the Center Program to enter a school district program, the BCBAs and other clinical staff work closely with the child, family and school district to develop a transition plan for the child which may include the provision of Friendship House staff supporting the child in their new school district program.

For more information about this Program and the other programs and services offered by Friendship House, visit the Agencies website at http://www.friendshiphousepa.org.

Wright Center now offering services at new Friendship House care center

Posted on November 6, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Legislators joined officials with The Wright Center for Community Health and Friendship House for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 24 to celebrate the Friendship House’s new Whole Person Care Center at 200 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton. (Courtesy: thewrightcenter.org)

The Wright Center for Community Health is partnering with Friendship House to improve access to responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services, especially for individuals with complex mental health and/or substance use disorder needs.

Beginning November 5, the Wright Center is offering primary health services at Friendship House’s new Whole Person Care Center, 200 Wyoming Ave., Suite 250, Scranton. The new location will begin by opening from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, providing a range of services such as checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries.

These services will be available to individuals of all ages, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Patients do not need to be clients of Friendship House to receive care at The Wright Center’s new location.

The new center’s goal is to integrate mental health, substance use disorder, and physical health services, improving health outcomes while optimizing the use of resources. Along with The Wright Center’s primary health services, Friendship House will offer mental health and substance use disorder services, and The Prescription Center will provide pharmacy services.

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, says, “This exciting and important partnership allows The Wright Center to enrich and extend the delivery of our noble mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. By improving access to essential primary health care services for individuals who come to Friendship House, we will continue to enhance the overall health and well-being of our shared community.”

Friendship House provides support to children, adolescents, and adults facing developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioral challenges, or the effects of trauma from loss, abuse, or neglect. In March 2022, the nonprofit acquired the two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility, which spans the Davidow Building at 200-216 Wyoming Ave., and the former Murray Building at 413-415 Biden St.

Friendship House gets donation for renovation project

Posted on April 5, 2023 by The Dunmorean

FNCB Bank presented a $15,000 Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program/Special Program Priorities (NAP-SPP) donation to the Friendship House for their downtown Scranton building renovation project. The project, which encompasses the Murray Building at 413-415 Biden St. and the Davidow Building at 200-216 Wyoming Ave., when completed, is expected to house substance abuse, mental health and pharmacy services for the community.

Shown from left are: Alex J. Hazzouri, Friendship House, president and CEO; Chris Moshinskie, FNCB Bank Scranton Community Office Manager; and Richard Drust, FNCB Bank Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Officer.