Programs

Advocacy at ESCA is FREE to anyone of any age living with a developmental disability and residing in Westmoreland and eastern Allegheny Counties thanks to grants, donations, and fundraising. Developmental disabilities are chronic conditions caused by physical, learning, language, or behavior impairments. Conditions such as intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, along with some co-morbid medical conditions are areas of expertise we maintain.

ESCA provides assistance with educational questions, abuse and neglect questions, assistance with the Office of Developmental Programs and the IDD/A waiver process, information about legal guardianship and Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania, questions and information about representative payee services and much more. Our goal is to provide information and help to connect you to the community resources that best meet your needs. We do not provide medical or legal advocacy or advice nor do we lobby. In addition, we develop inclusive social, recreational, and wellness opportunities that strengthen natural support systems and community connections. These initiatives reflect ESCA’s belief that inclusion is about building genuine relationships and meaningful participation in everyday life.

If you feel you could benefit from advocacy at ESCA, please call us at 724-325-3344 and leave a message or email escadvocacy@gmail.com. We are staffed by part-time advocates and our hours vary, so please allow 48 hours for a return call.

Programming at ESCA is open to the public and aims to foster an inclusive environment! Bring family, friends, or staff! All are welcome.

Person Centered Plans (PCP) allow individuals to evaluate various aspects of their life as a whole. It’s a collaborative process that empowers individuals with disabilities to direct their own lives and support services. It focuses on the person’s strengths, goals, and desired lifestyle rather than just managing their symptoms or fitting them into a rigid service. This process can be used to set new goals, to modify unhealthy behaviors, to realize and reinforce positive aspects of a person’s life, or simply to see where there may be a need for additional support.

The key principles of Person-Centered Planning are Choice, Competence, Respect, and Community Participation. If you believe this service would be a benefit to you or a loved one, please contact us at 724-325-3344 or escadvocacy@gmail.com.

Through our Art from the Heart initiative, ESCA offers free Art, Jewelry-Making and Ceramics classes. . All classes require preregistration to adequately plan for materials. We also respectfully ask that all participants be at least 12 years of age.

Miss LaVerne is our jewelry and metalsmithing artist and holds two classes per month, the 3rd Wednesday of every month concurrent with our social group at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Murrysville as well as one Tuesday afternoon per month at the Rewind Reuse Center in Export. To register for jewelry classes at Rewind Reuse Center, please TEXT your RSVP to Miss Laverne at 412-551-9838. The classes are FREE of charge, but if you would like a second jewelry kit, they are $5.00 each. You do NOT need to RSVP for the jewelry classes held during social group at St. Alban’s.

Art classes are held monthly at Rewind Reuse Center and Workshop, 5853 Washington Ave, Export, PA. Ceramics classes are also monthly and are held at AB Ceramics at 307 South 4th St. Jeannette, PA. Art and ceramics classes require preregistration through our social media links or by calling 724-325-3344. Please refer to our calendar and social media for specific dates/times.

Adult Social Group (18yrs +) meets Wednesdays at 10:30am. This inclusive group meets at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Murrysville. Come and meet new friends in a relaxing and inclusive atmosphere. All are welcome and registration is not required.

Free group exercise classes are offered on Thursday mornings this summer beginning at 10am at MC2 Community Center, 5756 Kennedy Ave, Export, PA. Drumstix is an energetic and fun musical exercise class while Chair Yoga is a fun and adaptive way to experience the benefits of yoga. Colleen is our teacher for both and both are appropriate for all abilites. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.

While all of our programming is free, donations are always appreciated! Please be sure to check our online calendar as well as Facebook and Instagram for specific dates/times and registration links when appropriate.