Erie Home for Children & Adults

EHCA is a private, non-profit, multi-faceted organization offering both residential and community-based supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Since its founding in 1912, the agency has grown to include 18 group homes for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

EHCA’s six community programs offer opportunities and support services for individuals with disabilities who reside with family members or on their own.

Today, EHCA makes a difference in the lives of over 400 people and their families each day in Erie, Crawford, and Venango counties.

ResidentialIn addition to basic living activities, our 16 community homes provide supports to each individual, including medical/nursing services, physical therapy, nutrition, speech therapy, behavioral support and community experiences.

Each individual and his/her family, along with the interdisciplinary team, plan and implement support programs that enhance a person's life.

OptionsThis program provides resources for families who wish to care for a family member with developmental disabilities at home.

It includes habilitation, respite care and community inclusion. Project First Step (PFS)PFS is a multi-service program which is uniquely designed to support families in Erie, Crawford and Venango counties.

PFS services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each family and promote independence, family unity and overall family health.

PFS offers Doula Services, which assist expectant mothers who have developmental disabilities, mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction to have a healthy baby through services to mother and family.

The mother and child are followed after delivery to insure safety and bonding. Intensive Care Services are designed to help keep babies who are born medically compromised at home with theirrents and/or work with therents to address their social issues to award them the opportunity for family success.

Through education, advocacy and connections to community resources,rents are given the best opportunity for optimal development and stability for their child. Family Engagement Services link high-risk, Office of Children and Youth-involvedrents who have mental health concerns, mental retardation, physical impairment, and those with a medically fragile child to needed community services.

The goal of this program is to educate and effectively engage therents in critical community-based services necessary to address their disabilities.

OBRA and Independence Waiver Programs These programs provide services to people in their homes with developmental and physical disabilities, whose primary diagnosis is not mental retardation, to allow them to live in the community and remain as independent as possible.

MOVE [Making Opportunities for Volunteerism and Exploration]This day-support program provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to build relationships by volunteering in the community, as well as taking classes and attending leisure/social groups.

Life Sharing Through Family LivingFamily Living is provided through a careful match between a person with disabilities and a family or individual living in the local community.

It offers increased independence, a safe and caring home, communityrticipation and continued family involvement.

SNAP [Social Networking Among Peers]A program offered through Options, SNAP allows people the opportunity to become more involved in their community with others of similar interests. SNAP's philosophy is to allow small groups of individuals to meet regularly and develop new friendships while minimizing direct involvement from staff.

School Age ProgramThis inclusive after-school and full summer program gives children with and without disabilities the opportunity to be involved in supervised community outings and center-based activities.

Supported Living ProgramSupported Living is a service in which individuals live in their homes separate from their family, enabling them to learn independence and responsibility.

Persons involved in Supported Livingrticipate in numerous community activities, may hold a job and perform normal day-to-day activities.

The role of the EHCA staff is to promote independence by helping to identify and target specific needs of the individual.

OASIS (Opportunities and Advancement for Students with Intellectual Disabilities for Self-Actualization) EHCA and Mercyhurst North East have come together to offer this one-year certification program for students with intellectual disabilities interested in continuing their education to obtain entry-level positions in the restaurant or catering industry.