Safety Resources & Self-Help

Code RED Emergency Notification System – Sign up to be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. Examples include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.
Text LuzerneAlerts to 99411 to enroll
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFB8F700223C

Children & Teen Help Resources

Child Abuse Hotline – Trained specialists are available 24/7 to receive referrals of suspected child abuse and general child well-being concerns.
1-800-932-0313
https://www.dhs.pa.gov/KeepKidsSafe/Pages/Report-Abuse.aspx

Teen Central – TeenCentral is a website powered by KidsPeace as a free and safe prevention and intervention resource specifically for youth. On TeenCentral, you can find information on a variety of topics. You are able to receive a therapeutic support response within 24 hours, safely, anonymously, and free of charge.
https://teencentral.com/help/

Luzerne County Children & Youth – Luzerne County Children and Youth services aims to assure that children are protected, live free from abuse and neglect, and are given the opportunity to grow and develop to their fullest potential.
570-826-8710
https://www.luzernecounty.org/720/Children-Youth

Domestic Violence

*PLEASE NOTE* It is virtually impossible with modern technology to eliminate all traces of your online activity. Every type of device including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones leaves an internet history. If you suspect your internet use is being monitored, the best option is to use a safe computer, such as the public libraries, a trusted friend’s, or possibly a work computer. If you are going to continue online activity on a device that you suspect is being monitored, it is essential to take precautionary steps to limit your chances of detection.

National Abuse Hotline – Get help now if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse. Provides for DEAF victims as well.
1-800-799-SAFE; Text START to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/

Luzerne County Victim Resource Center – Victims Resource Center provides a comprehensive range of services to meet the special needs of crime victims, to address issues of violence on an individual and community level and to increase the understanding of the impact of crime on victims to improve their quality of care.
570-823-0765
https://vrcnepa.org/

Domestic Violence Service Center – help 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Offers help at no cost. Depending on your personal situation, the trained staff at the Domestic Violence Service Center can offer support. Services are free and confidential.
1-800-424-5600
https://domesticviolenceservice.org/

Mental Health

Suicide Prevention Hotline – a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CRISIS HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255; or Text TALK to 741741
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

United States Department of Mental Health and Substance Use – SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
https://www.samhsa.gov/

Hispanic American Mental Health Resources – Hispanic Americans are particularly vulnerable to challenges in receiving mental health care services they need. Language barriers, cultural differences and a lack of available resources are just some of the reasons why this demographic may experience an increased rate of undiagnosed or untreated mental illness.
English – https://www.helpadvisor.com/conditions/latino-mental-health
Spanish – https://www.helpadvisor.com/conditions/salud-mental-de-los-hispanos

LGBTQ+

Rainbow Alliance of Northeast Pennsylvania – The NEPA Rainbow Alliance provides education, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and families while working to advance fairness and equality.
https://neparainbowalliance.org/

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline – Provides a safe space that is anonymous and confidential where callers can speak on many different issues and concerns. Monday thru Friday from 4pm to midnight, eastern time; Saturday from noon to 5pm, eastern time.
1-888-843-4564
https://www.glbthotline.org/hotline.html

The Trevor Project – Call, text, or chat anytime support is needed. If you are thinking about suicide, or feeling lonely, you will reach a person. Also provides information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
866-488-7386; Text START to 678-678 (immediate crisis text line)
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Drug & Alcohol

Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs – a resource to find a drug or alcohol treatment center.
1-800-662-HELP
https://apps.ddap.pa.gov/gethelpnow/

Luzerne/Wyoming County Drug & Alcohol Program – The Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Program has been designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs as the Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol services in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.
570-826-8790
https://www.luzernecounty.org/370/Drug-Alcohol

DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) – D.A.R.E. envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors.
https://dare.org/

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.
1-877-ASK-MADD
https://www.madd.org/

Disaster Relief

American Red Cross – Thousands of staff and volunteers of the Red Cross are available with emergency aid when you need it most. They can also provide advice and assistance while recovering from a disaster or become better prepared to face one in the future.
Wilkes Barre Office 570-823-7161
1-800-RED-CROSS
https://www.redcross.org/

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) – FEMA can help support your recovery from a major disaster.
1-800-621-FEMA
https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual

Veteran’s Health, Safety & Assistance

Veterans Crisis Hotline – 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved one. It is not necessary to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.
1-800-273-8255 and Press 1; Text 83825
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Wilkes Barre Veteran’s Hospital
Homeless Veterans Resource – VA Wilkes-Barre is available to assist Veterans who are or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail.
570-824-3521 ask to speak to the homeless coordinator
https://www.va.gov/wilkes-barre-health-care/health-services/homeless-veteran-care/
Complete Health Resource – Offering primary care, mental health care, specialty services and social programs and services for Veterans.
https://www.va.gov/wilkes-barre-health-care/health-services/

Scranton Mobile Vet Center – Based in Scranton PA, our Mobile Vet Center provides counseling services to combat theater veterans throughout Northeastern & Central PA.
570-344-2676

Luzerne County Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Providing services to support Veterans in all aspects of assistance and benefits available.
570-706-3960
https://www.luzernecounty.org/508/Veterans

Pennsylvania Department of Veterans’ Affairs – provide advice and assistance to Pennsylvania’s nearly 800,000 veterans and their families and to provide quality care to aging veterans.
https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Pages/default.aspx

United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs – accessing and managing Veterans benefits & health care.
https://www.va.gov/

Identity Theft & Cyber Security

Federal Trade Commission – Report identity theft and get a recovery plan.
https://www.identitytheft.gov/

Pennsylvania Attorney General – find a comprehensive web-based Identity Theft Toolkit to help the people of the Commonwealth protect themselves from predators and begin the recovery process.
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/identity-theft/

Commonwealth of PA Cybersecurity – this site will connect you with cybersecurity resources and tips for protecting yourself online.
https://www.pa.gov/guides/cybersecurity/

Sexual Offender Registries

Megan’s Law – Pennsylvania’s General Assembly has determined public safety will be enhanced by making information about registered sexual offenders available to the public through the internet. Knowledge whether a person is a registered sexual offender could be a significant factor in protecting yourself, your family members, or persons in your care from recidivist acts by registered sexual offenders. Public access to information about registered sexual offenders is intended solely as a means of public protection, any other use prohibited.
https://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/

Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) – an unprecedented public safety resource that provides the public with access to sex offender data nationwide. NSOPW is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice and state, territorial and tribal governments, working together for the safety of adults and children.
https://www.nsopw.gov/

Gun Safety

National Rifle Association Safety Practices – Safety is not only critical in handling firearms but in everyday life. The NRA offers resources and training to ensure the safe and effective use of firearms as well as personal safety.
https://explore.nra.org/interests/safety-and-education/

Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program (kindergarten – 4th grade gun safety) – A gun accident prevention program that seeks to help parents, law enforcement, community groups and educators navigate a topic paramount to our children’s safety. https://eddieeagle.nra.org/