Human Services
Welcome to Human Services!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.
Upcoming Events
Local Food Pantries
Many people in Venango County are struggling to put food on the table. We have compiled a list a resources that can be used to aid in receiving food.
1. WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) - provides supplemental food and nutrition education for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have given birth within the past six months and for children up to age 5. Shenango Valley Urban League, Inc. is the provider. Referrals can be made via WIC Venango or by calling 814-432-9892. WIC Venango office hours are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Weds 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2. SNAP/Food Stamps - If eligible, you will be able to use your allocation at the grocery store to purchase your own food. Applications may be submitted online through COMPASS or by calling toll-free at 877-409-2421 or locally at 814-432-4341. SNAP is administered through Venango County Assistance Office located at 530 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323. County Assistance office hours are: Mon to Fri - 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Local Food Pantries - Food pantries in Venango County are provided through community members such as churches, social services organizations, food banks, and more. Many of these programs do have eligibility guidelines but have been adjusting to meet the needs of county residents. Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie also has a food pantry locator if you need to find one that is closest to you.
Christ United Methodist Church
1135 Buffalo Street
Franklin, PA 16323
Free dinner: 5-6:30 p.m.
Last Friday of month
Center Towne Café
250 Seneca Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Food: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tues & Thurs
Free and open to the public
Clintonville Food Pantry
135 Irwin Street
Clintonville, PA 16372
9 to 11 a.m. 3rd Saturday of month
Community Services of Venango County 814-676-5011
Oil City Food Pantry
203 Center Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Food: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Rocky Grove Food Pantry
39 Parker Avenue
Franklin, PA 16323
Food/clothing: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Thursday
Cranberry Food Pantry
224 South Main Street
Seneca, PA 16346
Food: 2 to 5:30 p.m. 2nd and 4th Mondays
*Bring proof of Cranberry School District residency
Oil City Salvation Army 814-677-4056
217 Sycamore Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Emergency Food: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
State Food Distribution: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
*Must bring ID and proof of residency
St. Elizabeth Center Pantry - 814-677-0203
311 Emerald Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Food: 10 a.m. to Noon 2nd and 4th Weds. *Must bring ID and proof of residency
St. John’s Episcopal Church - 814-432-5161
1145 Buffalo Street
Franklin, PA 16323
Food: 9:30 to 11 a.m. last Saturday
*Must bring ID and proof of residency
St. Patrick’s Church Food Pantry
952 Buffalo Street
Franklin, PA 16323
Food: 9 to 10:30 a.m. 3rd Saturday
*Must bring ID and proof of residency
The Open Door Café
405 East Second Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Food, soup and beverages: No cost, donations accepted
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon, Weds, Fri
Check out our recently-updated Human Services booklet!
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Venango County Community Support Services (CSS) has received Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. These funds will be used to assist the residents of Venango County who are struggling with rent and utilities due to a COVID-19.
If you are financially impacted by COVID-19 and currently rent your home, you may be eligible for past and future assistance on your rent and utility payments towards your past due utility bills. All applicants must meet specific income guidelines and demonstrate that they were affected by COVID-19 after March 13, 2020.
How to Apply?
- Online applications are available through COMPASS: https://www.compass.state.pa.us (to access the application on COMPASS, a link for ERAP will be made available under “What We Offer” in the top menu bar).
- Paper applications and additional information are available by calling Community Support Services (CSS) at 814-432-9250 or by email at venangoerap@co.venango.pa.us
- Pick up a paper copy at 1 Dale Avenue, Franklin, PA 16323, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- A printable version of the application is also available here: Click for Printable Application
Contact us
Phone: 814-432-9250
Email: venangoerap@co.venango.pa.us
(24 hours a day/7 days a week)
Water Bill Assistance
Transportation
Our Mission
“To assure the safety of our customers, to preserve their families, and to enhance the quality of their lives.”
Who Are We?
Venango County Human Services is a branch of county government that is managed by the Venango County Commissioners. It is directed by a Human Services Administrator who works with categorical and system directors and managers to ensure that a comprehensive continuum of high quality services is available to qualifying residents of Venango County. We are among the 30 counties in the Commonwealth that are part of the Human Services Block Grant. While the county continues to work within the regulatory parameters of the traditional categorical systems, our focus has been to move away from disability-oriented systems of care to a structure based on Life Stages. The stages include: Children and Families, Emerging Adults, Adults, and Older Adults.
This shift in focus to Life Stages has resulted in integrated service coordination and partnerships with non-traditional providers like community supports, the faith community, businesses, and more. Monitoring for service providers, evaluation, and quality improvement are all based on the Life Stage orientation as well. The main purpose of this change was to ensure individuals and families are safe and secure in the least restrictive setting. Through our successful integration, we have enabled county residents to heal, grow, and recover by receiving services that are demonstrated to be appropriate, cost effective, accessible, and that meet an assessed need.
Community Support
Venango County Human Services directly manages the categorical systems that offer services for: Older Adults, Children and Youth, Mental Health and Development, Substance Abuse, and a variety of programs collectively managed by our Community Supports Services team (CSS). We also partner with Mercer and Crawford counties to directly manage the HealthChoices Program, under the auspices of the North West Behavioral Health Partnership, offering behavioral health services collaboratively between the three counties. Venango County contracts with a large number of community service organizations to provide prevention and treatment assistance to county residents.