The following is background and contact information about state agencies involved with Personal Assistance Services.

Medicaid Agency

Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Medicaid is paid for by Federal and State funds. There is an organization in each state government that is responsible for administering Medicaid in that state. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding who can receive services (eligibility) and what services are covered under Medicaid.

Federal law states that Medicaid eligibility is limited to people who fall into specified categories, which cover five broad groups of people: pregnant women, children and teenagers, seniors, people with disabilities and people who are blind. Within these groups, certain eligibility requirements must be met, for example, your income and resources (like bank accounts, property, or other items that can be sold for cash) and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.

Many different sorts of services and support are available through Medicaid and these also vary from state to state. You can use the contact details below to find out more about Medicaid coverage in each state.

Pennsylvania Medicaid Agency Contact Information:

Agency name and Address:	Dept of Public Welfare of Pennsylvania Health & Welfare Bldg, Rm 515. PO Box 2675. Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone:	717-787-1870 Toll free: 1-800-692-7462
TTY:	717-705-7103
Website:	Office of Medical Assistance Programs http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap/dpwomap.asp

Mental Health Services

The federal government provides many resources for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems, including providing money to states so they can provide a range of community-based mental health treatment and support services to adults and children. Decisions about the treatment and care of people with emotional problems and mental illness are made at the local and state levels so the types of services that are available, and how those services are funded, vary from state to state.

The Mental Health Agency in each state can provide information about what services are available locally, including information about admission, care, treatment, release and patient follow-up in public or private psychiatric residential facilities. The Mental Health Agency may also have contact details for the local chapters of self-help organizations that have information about any other services that are available locally.

Pennsylvania Mental Health Services Contact Information:

Agency name and Address:	Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. P.O. Box 2675. Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone:	717-787-6443 Toll-free: 877-356-5355
Website:	http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/omhsas/dpwmh.asp

State Unit on Aging

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the primary vehicle for organizing and providing Home and Community-Based Services for older people and their families. All individuals 60 years of age and older are eligible for services under the OAA, although priority attention is given to those who are in greatest need.

The U.S. Administration on Aging administers the OAA. For a state to receive federal funds to implement to OAA, the Governor has to appoint a State Unit on Aging. State Units on Aging develop a statewide aging plan of how services and supports will be provided. Many states have divided the state into Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to administer OAA programs (13 states and Territories have single planning areas). In most cases, the AAA assesses the needs of older people although they do not provide direct services (they subcontract with other organizations).

There are 6 main types of services that may be available in states; (1) services to help people stay in their homes (e.g. chore and personal care services), (2) nutrition services, (3) preventive health services, (4) The National Family Caregiver Support Program (funded for the first time in 2000) to help people caring for spouses, parents, older relatives and friends as well as grandparents caring for grandchildren and caregivers of people 18 and under with mental retardation or developmental difficulties (5) protection for the rights of vulnerable older people (e.g. pension counseling programs) and (6) services to Native Americans.

To find local services and contact local Area Agencies on Aging, either contact the State Unit on Aging or call the ‘Eldercare Locator’ (a national toll-free service to help callers find services that may help them). The Eldercare Locator number is 1-800-677-1116.

Pennsylvania State Unit on Aging Contact Information:

Agency name and Address:	DEPARTMENT OF AGING. Forum Place. 555 Walnut Street, 5th Fl. Harrisburg, PA 17101
Website:	http://www.aging.state.pa.us/

Protection and Advocacy Agency

The Federal Government funds Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies in each state. These agencies are mandated by Congress to provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under all federal and state laws, to all people with disabilities. All P&As maintain a presence in facilities that care for people with disabilities, where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions. They help ensure people with disabilities have full access to educational programs, financial entitlements, health and long-term care, housing and employment opportunities.

Each P&A has a program to safeguard the rights of specific groups of people. For example: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI); Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR); and Client Assistance Programs (CAP).

Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy Agency Contact Information:

Agency name and Address:	Pennsylvania P&A;, Inc. 1414 N. Cameron Street, Suite C. Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone:	717-236-8110 800-692-7443 TTY 717-346-0293 877-375-7139
Website:	http://www.ppainc.org

State Independent Living Council and Centers for Independent Living

Some Independent Living Centers (ILC) provide a list of local personal assistants or even administer programs to match people with personal assistants. The State Independent Living Council (SILC) is the state agency that has contact with these agencies as well as other state agencies.