COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19 Resources & Guidance

GECAC is here and ready to help. Together, we will get our community through this hard time.

Call GECAC at (814) 459-4581.
GECAC offices are closed to the public but our dedicated staff is serving clients via the phone, email, and virtual.

The wellbeing of our clients, volunteers, and our employees continues to be our paramount concern. As the situation continues to evolve we will be posting new information to keep you updated.

MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

GECAC ENEWS JULY

GECAC ENEWS APRIL

GECAC Essential Programs that are Open: (updated July 22, 2020)

Area Agency on Aging is serving clients via the phone. Call the Senior Helpline at 814-459-4581 ext. 400. Be sure to leave your phone number so the staff can return your call. Staff is working remotely and conducting visits and wellness checks via phone. GECAC is working to identify clients who are facing isolation due to the health emergency to ensure that they have the food, supplies, and necessary support.
Please continue to call the Older Adult Protective Services (APS) to report elder abuse. Call 814-451-1520 (24/7).
GECAC Meals on Wheels is delivering meals to over 400 low-income seniors throughout Erie County. Call the Senior Helpline at 814-459-4581 ext. 400 to sign up for meals.
Due to the state mandate, all seven of GECAC's Senior Center sites have been temporarily closed. GECAC rapidly transitioned to home-delivered meals for all clients requesting food to continue meeting the needs of the seniors who rely on those meals as a primary source of nutrition. Our staff is calling their Senior Center members to conduct wellness checks.
Ombudsmen staff and volunteers are currently restricted from entering any long-term care facility due to COVID-19. Staff Ombudsmen are available to speak with residents and family members via phone or email to help resolve complaints and ensure residents' quality of care.
Erie County Re-Entry Services and Support Alliance (ECRSSA) staff is assisting individuals released from federal, state, or county prison. Call (814) 870-5408 to leave a message for a Re-Entry staff member.
Housing—although evictions have been suspended by the courts and our office is closed to walk-in services, the housing staff will be completing Coordinated Entry referrals via telephone for homeless or near-homeless individuals and families. Call 814SHELTER (814-743-5837) if you are currently homeless or received an eviction notice from your landlord to be placed on the Coordinated Entry referral list. Staff will notify you when they receive your referral.
Are you behind on your mortgage or rent? Call 814SHELTER (814-743-5837) and ask to be referred to GECAC's housing counselors. Resources are now available to assist you. Our staff will call you when they receive your information.
Utility Assistance—if you are having difficulties paying your heating bill call (814) 459-4581 ext. 466 or ext. 410 to inquire if you are eligible for Neighbor-for-Neighbor Heat Fund.

Status of all GECAC Programs:

Area Agency on Aging:

Area Agency on Aging is serving clients via the phone. Call the Senior Helpline at 814-459-4581 ext. 400. Be sure to leave your phone number so the staff can return your call. Staff is working remotely and conducting visits and wellness checks via phone. GECAC is working to identify clients who are facing isolation due to the health emergency to ensure that they have the food, supplies, and necessary support.
Please continue to call the Older Adult Protective Services (APS) to report elder abuse. Call 814-451-1520 (24/7).
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is now accepting applications for fruit and vegetable vouchers. More information.
Due to the state mandate, all seven of GECAC's Senior Center sites have been temporarily closed. GECAC rapidly transitioned to home-delivered meals for all clients requesting food to continue meeting the needs of the seniors who rely on those meals as a primary source of nutrition. Our staff is calling their Senior Center members to conduct wellness checks.
To ensure the safety of our seniors, the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) is suspended unless the members are volunteering for an essential service.
To ensure the safety of our seniors, the Foster Grandparents program is suspended.
The Caregiver Support program is serving customers. Caregivers fill a special place in the world, particularly during the current difficulty battling COVID-19. Caregivers must be vigilant not only for themselves but for the ones they care for as well. Please contact the Caregiver Support program via email at elondon@gecac.org.
APPRISE Medicare Insurance Counseling is being conducted via phone and email.
GECAC Meals on Wheels is delivering meals to over 400 low-income seniors throughout Erie County. Call the Senior Helpline at 814-459-4581 ext. 400 to sign up for meals.
Ombudsmen staff and volunteers are currently restricted from entering any long-term care facility due to COVID-19. Staff Ombudsmen are available to speak with residents and family members via phone or email to help resolve complaints and ensure residents' quality of care.
HomePLUS program remains onsite and open to provide services to the 400 residents of Schmid Towers and Friendship Apartments.

Education:

GED Testing will take place every Wednesday with limited seating. July 1st will be our first testing date. More information.
GED Classes/Adult Education classes are being held online for all current students.
Upward Bound has transitioned all services online. Communication with our students will continue via Facebook Messenger, Remind, Zoom, email, and phone.

Employment & Income:

Work Ready enrolled participants are participating in virtual training and educational activities.
New Choices is a proven program designed to give clients individualized attention and training to help each person achieve personally and professionally. Virtual classes are being offered to help our clients see how to transfer their past skills, prepare them for the job market, and assist them in making professional decisions. For more information visit New Choices.
Financial Literacy is suspended.
Senior Community Service Employment Program participants will continue training during the stay at home order if their host agency remained open or if participants have additional training they can complete virtually.
Summer JAM participants are now working throughout Erie County.

Housing and Utilities:

Property Tax/ Rent Rebate--The deadline to apply has been extended to December 31, 2020. Due to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants are encouraged to obtain the Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim form (PA-1000) and related information on the Department of Revenue's website. After checking eligibility requirements, download or request an application. Complete the form and submit one original claim form to the Department of Revenue.
Housing--although evictions have been suspended by the courts and our office is closed to walk-in services, the housing staff will be completing Coordinated Entry referrals via telephone for homeless or near-homeless individuals and families. Call 814SHELTER (814-743-5837) if you are currently homeless or received an eviction notice from your landlord to be placed on the Coordinated Entry referral list. Staff will notify you when they receive your referral.
Rent Rebate—staff will not be seeing clients in the office. The application deadline is extended to December 31, 2020. You can submit your Rent Rebate application by downloading the forms at PA Rent Rebate Resources.
Utility Assistance—if you are having difficulties paying your heating bill call (814) 459-4581 ext. 466 or ext. 410 to inquire if you are eligible for Neighbor-for-Neighbor Heat Fund.
Are you behind on your mortgage or rent? Call 814SHELTER (814-743-5837) and ask to be referred to GECAC's housing counselors. Resources are now available to assist you. Our staff will call you when they receive your information.
Weatherization—GECAC will no longer be providing weatherization services in the city of Erie. We have transferred this program to Northwest Pennsylvania Weatherization. Please contact Dianna Schlosser at (866) 525-1872 to apply for services.

Other Initiatives:

Erie County Re-Entry Services and Support Alliance (ECRSSA) staff are assisting individuals released from federal, state, or county prison. Call (814) 870-5408 to leave a message for a Re-Entry staff member.
Getting Ahead mentorships are continuing via phone and email. The Getting Ahead classes are being conducted online via Zoom meetings. If you are interested in learning more about the Getting Ahead classes, contact mfink@gecac.org.