Student and Family Services

If you have an imminent safety concern for yourself or for someone else, please do not hesitate to call 911 or use one of the resources below:

• Safe 2 Say 1-844-723-2729, or use the Safe2Say mobile app. Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
• Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. This is a free and confidential service for anyone who needs to talk to someone, particularly through text. This text line is also available 24/7.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline To access this 24/7 hotline, you can call 1-800-799-7233. If you are unable to speak safely, you can also text LOVEIS to 22522 or log in through the website.
• Lancaster County Crisis Intervention Crisis Intervention is a 24-hour emergency mental health service provided for persons experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal, or homicidal thoughts. Crisis Intervention staff can assist in assessing what a person needs to alleviate the immediate crisis and then link them to the appropriate services. Call (717) 394-2631.
• Warm Line The Warm Line is a free, confidential phone service for Lancaster County residents. You can call to speak one-on-one with a certified peer specialist. This is not a crisis line, but a safe place to discuss problems, talk about your day, or ask questions related to recovery and wellness strategies. (717) 945-9976.
• 988 (formerly THE TALK Helpline) The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 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 in the United States. Call 988.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline Call 800.656.4673 or chat 24/7. RAINN is committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence.

• Student Assistance Program A SAP team made up of school and agency staff is available to help you access school and community services for your child.  In Pennsylvania, every school district is required to have a plan for identifying and assisting students who experience barriers to learning. There is a SAP team available both at Martin Meylin Middle School as well as at Lampeter-Strasburg High School.  The SAP Team will help you find services and assistance within the school, and if needed, in the community. We do not diagnose, treat, or refer your child for treatment. We will provide you with information, and you make the choice(s) that best fit your needs and wishes. As the parent/guardian you are an important part of the team. 
• Mental Health America Mental Health America of Lancaster County promotes optimal mental health through advocacy, education, and support. MHALC  responds to the gaps in services by providing nine programs dedicated to helping members of our community along their journey of mental wellness. 
• Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Disability Services Case management services. The Mental Health Program serves children with serious emotional disturbance and adults with serious mental illness who reside in Lancaster County, PA. The Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Program assists individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability, and their families, to achieve an Everyday Life by connecting them with services and supports. Our program helps individuals reach greater independence by obtaining community supports to assist with a range of life skills, work and community skills, training, and experiences. 
• Touchstone Foundation The mission of Touchstone Foundation is to ensure every young person has access to the care and support they need to thrive. We achieve this through strategic partnerships, scholarships, and advocacy for health policies that promote mental wellness. The Touchstone program is designed to assist insured patients who need support in affording therapy costs covered by their insurance.
• Lancaster County United Way Resources  Free call center for resources and referrals in Lancaster County and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - housing, food, mental health, legal support, and much more.
• Behavioral Health Center  Located within Lancaster General Hospital at 555 N. Duke Street in Lancaster (entrance on N. Lime St.), the center offers immediate, easy-to-access behavioral health care for those with non-life-threatening concerns. We’re here to serve adults, adolescents, and children ages 6 and older across Lancaster County, regardless of the ability to pay. Walk-in, outpatient clinic for behavioral/mental health concerns.
• Compass Mark This anonymous, confidential support for those with addictions is available by phone at 717-299-2831, M-F 9 am-5 pm, or by email at info@compassmark.org.
• Pathways Center for Grief & Loss supports the needs of children, teens, and families impacted by serious illness and loss through individual and group grief support services.  hospiceandcommunitycare.org
• Coping Kids & Teens helps children, teens, and families learn about loss, develop coping skills, and build self-confidence through fun-filled activities and opportunities for small and large-group sharing in a safe atmosphere. We offer the area’s most comprehensive grief education and support for children and teens. Thanks to the generous support of the community, most services are free of charge. 
• School-Based Counseling Services The district has a partnership with TeamCare Behavioral Health Services to provide school-based counseling. Families with questions regarding this service should contact their student's school counselor to determine if this support is an appropriate service. Billing and payments are worked out directly with Team Care and the student’s insurance company. Students are given an appointment time during the school day to meet with the assigned therapist, as the therapist has openings and insurance/payment has been authorized.  

• Pennsylvania 211 East (formerly known as LINC) has more than 40 years of experience providing information and referrals for a broad range of services, including child care, after-school programs, food banks, elder care, basic needs, health services, and more.
• COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information.  Families can apply for health care coverage, food resources, including free/reduced meals at school, health care coverage, utility assistance, and financial assistance
• Additional Resources

• Clothing bank for L-S students, located at L-S High School, can be accessed by making an appointment with Mrs. Brubaker. 
• Community Aid Lancaster's largest thrift store.
• 2-1-1 Local clothing assistance list.

Please contact the guidance department at your child's school for information about counseling services:

• Lampeter Elementary School Guidance
• Hans Herr Elementary School Guidance
• Martin Meylin Middle School Guidance
• Lampeter-Strasburg High School Guidance

• 2-1-1 Listing of local food pantries.
• FoodFinder location-based website and app for finding food assistance.
• Free and Reduced Lunch Program
• Power Packs provide packs of food to ensure students can have nutritious meals over the weekend.  If your family is eligible for free/reduced lunch and would like to apply to the program please use the following link to apply.
  • Power Packs 24-25 flyer
  • Power Packs 24-25 flyer in Spanish

LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES

First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg
Location: 101 South Decatur Street Strasburg, PA 17579
Phone: 717-687-6030
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Fridays from 2-4 pm

Lampeter United Methodist Church
Location: 1101 Village Road. Lampeter, PA 17537
Phone: 717-464-4161
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays from 10 am - 12 pm; Thursdays from 6-8 pm

Mission Church
Location: 651 Lampeter Road, Lancaster PA 17602
Phone: 717-393-9600
Hours of Operation:  Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10:00 am - 1 pm; Saturdays: 9-11 am

The District provides assistance for homeless students in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act. For more information, please visit our homeless assistance page.

• 2-1-1 Local health care resources.
• COMPASS Pennsylvania Health and Human Services access.
• Lancaster County Career & Technical Center's Dental Clinic is open at the Willow Street CTC. This clinic provides low-cost dental care to patients without insurance.
• Reagan's Journey Pediatric Equipment & Supply Closet at Manor Church in Lancaster
• Immunization Access

• Child Protect Advocates for abused children.
• COBYS Family Services Counseling, adoption, and foster care. COBYS also provides a variety of parenting resources and support groups.
• Tenfold Helping families with housing and financial planning.
• Pre-K Counts classes are available at the L-S Early Childhood Center through Owl Hill Learning Academy. Visit the Pre-K Counts page on our website for more information and income requirements. More information about preschool and our programs for preschool-age children can be found on the Early Childhood Department page. 

• Internet Essentials Low cost internet, starting at $14.95 a month for qualifying customers. 
• LIHEAP Pennsylvania home heating assistance.