Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania (Goodwill Industries of NEPA) is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000.00 grant from the AllOne Foundation. These funds will support the Embracing Everyday Lives Project to increase the agency’s abilities to offer behavioral supports for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities.

This grant is part of ACCE: Autism Collaborative Center of Excellence, which was formed to enhance the service delivery system and minimize the service gaps for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and these families living in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.

ACCE will deliver a full array of services from early intervention to adult services. The project’s goal is to create a culture of emotional wellness and positive behavioral supports to individuals served by Goodwill Industries of NEPA.

Throughout the agency’s community living arrangements, employment programs, and day services, about 150 individuals with disabilities ages 18-60 will be supported. The project is to develop a staff training curriculum that reflects the principals of applied behavioral analysis including positive reinforcement to increase desirable behaviors and social skills to support persons with disabilities to be included in their community.

Along with increased staff training, behavior supports will be offered weekly to all individuals within the programs to promote wellness, self-regulation, and conflict resolution.

“Traditional models of behavioral health services require a person have a behavioral health crisis in order to be eligible for services. This model is reactive and creates more vulnerability for and excludes many persons with developmental/intellectual disabilities from accessing mental health services, creates isolation, and becomes a barrier to an everyday life.,” said Ann Gillerlane, the corporate operating officer of Goodwill Industries of NEPA. “The AllOne Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process, we are excited to work alongside them to address this need in our community.”

Goodwill Industries of Northeastern PA operates retail services to support the many program opportunities for individuals who are intellectually and/or physically disadvantaged.

Goodwill is committed to offering the best service through its 13 group homes in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties; coordinate after-school socialization program; seven retail stores and three donation centers; adult day programming; employment and job training to youth and adults and our volunteer program which gives back to the communities we serve.