Resources

Community Resources
Throughout Our Region

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Resource Room at Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living

Resource Room

We can help you:

  • Set up an email account
  • Set up an account with SSA
  • Set up a Facebook account
  • Learn to navigate the internet
  • Get a library card
  • Write letters
  • Fax documents
  • Job Search
  • Resumes
  • And more!

TLCIL has a Resource Room ready for you to use. Staff is available to help get you started and assist you in whatever you are hoping to do or accomplish.

 

The Resource Room:

  • Computers
  • Wi-Fi
  • Fax
  • Print
  • Copy

In-Page Navigation

Do you need any help?

If you need information on a type of resource not listed please let us know.

COVID-19-Resources

Alice Hyde Medical Center COVID-19 Hotline

The Alice Hyde Medical Center has established a Hotline for anyone with medical questions surrounding COVID-19.

Phone: (518) 481-2700

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

An all-in-one resource that includes steps to protect yourself, symptoms, and live stats on COVID-19.

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Essex County Department of Social Services

Essex County DSS is open and providing services. Please call DSS rather than go down in person. Documentation that needs to be sent to Essex County DSS, can be mailed or placed in their drop box. You may also email your documentation to: DSS@EssexCountyNY.gov.

Phone: (518)-873-3441

Website: https://www.co.essex.ny.us/wp/department-of-social-services-announcement-3-20-2020/

Essex County Office for the Aging

The Essex County Office for the Aging is not providing congregate meals at this time. They are, however, still providing delivery meals. Transportation programs are being limited to people who are in dire need. If you have questions regarding their current service provision, please call their office.

Phone: (518) 873-3695

Website: https://www.co.essex.ny.us/wp/office-for-the-aging

Franklin County Department of Social Services

Franklin County DSS is open and providing services. While there doors are still open, please call first rather than visit in person. They are able to handle most requests by phone. SNAP and HEAP as always can be applied for online. They are now doing telephone interviews for our Temporary Assistance program also so that people do not need to get out if they don’t have to.

Phone 1: (518) 481-1894

Phone 2: (518) 481-1806

Website: https://www.franklincountyny.gov/departments/human_services/social_services/index.php

Franklin County Office for the Aging

The Franklin County Office for the Aging is not providing congregate meals at this time. They are, however, still providing delivery meals. Transportation programs are being limited to people who are in dire need. If you have questions regarding their current service provision, please call their office.

Phone: (518) 481-1526

Website: https://www.franklincountyny.gov/departments/human_services/office_for_the_aging/index.php

Grace Pantry – Community Lunchbox

There are no changes in services but no people are allowed to go into the Baldwin house to fill out paperwork. Paperwork will be done outside. Grace Pantry staff will provide paper bags to consumers in order to prevent cross contamination.

People are not allowed to congregate. They are still open every Wednesday from 3:oopm to 4:30pm as usual.

Phone: (860) 944-7236

COVID-19 Videos

New York State COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline

A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it, as this pandemic has been taking a toll on mental health. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to help with New York’s Coronavirus response. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call:

Phone: (844) 863-9314

NY Health

New York State’s official government website for COVID-19. Includes the latest news in the area and current laws that must be followed regarding the virus.

Website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

New York State Unemployment

If you have lost employment due to the COVID-19 situation, you can file for unemployment benefits using the website listed below. If you have problems and need help with this process, please call TLCIL for assistance.

Phone: (518) 481-2700

Website: https://www.labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm

Social Security Administration

Social Security Offices are closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can still get our help by using their online services or calling them.

Phone: (866) 964-7430

Website: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

St. Luke’s Church

They are only offering lunchbox on Mondays and Thursdays at 11am and 12pm by take out ONLY! Their Grace pantry is still operating but with the conditions as noted on the note I specifically wrote for th Grace Pantry specifically.

Phone: (860) 891-3605

COVID-19 Scam Alerts

Many scammers are taking advantage of this crisis and attempting to get personal details from people.

Social Security Benefits:

The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. We will not suspend or discontinue benefits because our offices are closed to the public for in-person service.

Social Security Fraud Advisory

Medicare:

Scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, the services are unapproved and illegitimate.

Protect Yourself from Scammers:

Be suspicious of the following:

  • Unsolicited requests for your Medicare or Medicaid number
  • Anyone who unexpectedly calls or visits offering COVID-19 tests or supplies
  • Offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites

A doctor or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any COVID-19 testing.

If you suspect fraud, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

Disability Etiquette:
Treat Everyone with Respect

People who have never interacted with a person who has a mental or physical disability may think of the exchange as intimidating or nerve-wracking. They might worry what to talk about or how to avoid staring. These concerns are understandable, but it’s important to realize people with disabilities should be treated the same as everyone else.

The most important part of interacting with someone who has a disability is seeing that person for whom he or she is, and not what disability that person has. What it boils down to is having a sense of disability awareness and disability etiquette. And to help raise awareness Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living has created some useful tips to remember:

1. Find commonalities before thinking about differences. Common ground is the base of all human connections; once you’ve found something in common, then you can deal with the differences. For example, a person in a wheelchair may use a wheelchair lift and hand controls to transport into a car and drive. Rather than thinking about how you and this person drive differently, focus on the commonality: both of you drive. In this instance, the difference doesn’t matter.
2. Do not victimize people with disabilities. Referring to someone as a “spinal cord injury victim,” or “cerebral palsy victim,” takes away that person’s power. It abdicates them of their strength and ability to overcome because the emphasis is on what happened to them, as opposed to what they did about it. It would be more appropriate to refer to someone with a disability as a “survivor.”

3. Don’t assume they see their disability as a tragedy. Many people with disabilities have worked through the tough emotions to be happy and content with their lives. A seemingly harmless statement like, “I’m so sorry that happened to you,” or something of that nature can make a person with a disability feel sad and sorry.

4. Adjust posture to be eye-level. The height difference between people in wheelchairs and able-bodies can create an unspoken feeling of superiority and inferiority. To be safe, sit or stand at eye-level with the person who has a disability when it is appropriate and possible. Finding a table to sit at is a great option because it can eliminate any visible differences, such as a wheelchair. Sitting in a chair (with or without a table) is also better than kneeling, which may cause the person in a wheelchair to feel like a child.

5. Make eye contact; never avoid someone with a disability. People who fear they could do or say something unintentionally disrespectful toward a person with a disability will sometimes default to ignoring that person altogether. Never do this. People with disabilities are human, and their existence deserves acknowledgement. Any human would feel terrible being ignored; it’s never the right choice.

6. Ask if he or she needs assistance before providing it. Don’t try to accommodate every last need of someone with a disability in attempts to be respectful. The better choice is to ask, “Is there anything I can help you with?” or, “Do you want me to get the door?” Helping before asking implies he or she is incapable and can offend the person, especially if they’ve worked hard to be able to care for themselves.

7. Do not underestimate the abilities of someone with a disability. Many people with disabilities are capable of caring for themselves without any assistance. They’ve spent a long time adjusting to a different way of life – be it purchasing wheelchair accessible vehicles for transportation, calling ahead to make sure a restaurant is wheelchair accessible, installing tile in their homes to avoid wheelchair friction on carpet, etc. They understand what they’re capable of and what their limitations are, so don’t worry about taking care of them.

8. Seek to understand the person and his or her disability before expecting to be understood. There may be times when you try your best to be respectful of a person with a disability and it backfires. You may be perceived incorrectly or perhaps offend someone unintentionally. Before getting angry and thinking, “They should understand I wasn’t trying to be rude,” step back from the situation and understand there could be many contributing factors to why that person got upset.

9. Speak to the person before his or her caregiver. Someone with a distorted figure or speech impediment as a result of a physical disability is often ignored because people assume he or she has a mental disability and won’t understand. Always speak to the person with a disability before approaching the caregiver; it’s the respectful thing to do. By approaching the caregiver first, the person with the disability assumes you see him or her as unequal or incapable; it damages the relationship immediately.

10. Be cautious of using outdated, offensive terms. Words like “handicapped” or “wheelchair bound” are not acceptable terms to use today. Many wheelchair users don’t like the word “bound” because of its negative connotation, meaning they’re tied down to the chair. Wheelchairs allow freedom and mobility. “Wheelchair accessible” is the more appropriate term to use. Handicapped is a broad and general term that many people think implies a helplessness. Disabled is more appropriate.

You can download the New York State Department of Health Disability Etiquette PDF file which has more detailed information on disability etiquette.

Libraries

Elizabethtown Library

River Street, P.O. Box 7
Elizabethtown, New York 12932

Phone: (518) 873-2670

Fax: (518) 873-2670

Lake Placid Public Library

2471 Main Street
Lake Placid, New York 12946

Phone: (518) 523-3200

Resource Directory

Woman in Wheelchair Working from Tri Lakes Center for Independent Living

Plattsburgh Public Library

19 Oak Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901-2810

Phone: (518) 563-0921

Fax: (518) 563-7539

Saranac Lake Free Library

109 Main Street
Saranac Lake, New York 12983

Phone: (518) 891-4190

Fax: (518) 891-5931

Wead Library (Malone)

64 Elm Street
Malone, New York 12953

Phone: (518) 483-5251

Fax: (518) 483-5255

Mental Health

Citizens Advocates, Inc.

17 Main St
Saranac Lake, New York 12983

Phone 1: (518) 891-2467

Website: http://www.CitizenAdvocates.net/Contact-Us

Mental Health Resources at Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living

North Star- Malone

(Citizens Advocates, Inc.)

31 Sixth Street Street
Malone, New York 12953

Phone 1: (518) 483-3261

Phone 2: (518) 483-8980

Website: Citizens Advocates, Inc. website, above.

North Star – Saranac Lake

(Citizens Advocates, Inc.)

70 Edgewood Rd
Saranac Lake, New York 12983

Phone: (518) 891-5535

Website: Citizens Advocates, Inc. website, above.

Career and Education

ACCES-VR-Malone District Office

209 West Main Street Suite 3
Malone, New York 12953

Phone: (518) 483-3530

Fax: (518) 483-3552

Website: http://www.Acces.NYSED.gov/VR/Malone-District-Office

Social Security

S.S. Administration- Plattsburgh

14 Durkee St
Plattsburgh, New York 12901

Phone: (866) 964-7430

Website: https://www.SSA.gov/

U.S. Social Security Office

1300 D St SW
Washington, DC 20224

Phone: (800) 772-1213

Website: https://www.SSA.gov/

Social Services

Essex County DSS- Elizabethtown

7551 Court Street, PO Box 217
Elizabethtown, New York 12932

Phone: (518) 873-3421

Website: http://www.Co.Essex.NY.us

Franklin County DSS -Malone

184 Finney Boulevard
Malone, New York 12953

Phone: (518) 481-1808

Website: http://FranklinCoNY.org/Content/Departments/View/25

Franklin County DSS – Saranac Lake

136 Broadway # 2
Saranac Lake, New York 12983

Phone: (518) 891-0240

Franklin County Social Services- Tupper Lake

38 Boyer Ave
Tupper Lake, New York 12986

Phone: (518) 359-9317

“I went in for help applying for SSDI, and even when lawyers couldn’t help me, the center was there for me and won my case!“

Cynthia T.

“TLCIL is the last, true peer advocate organization in the county. They improve the quality of life in Franklin County by bringing organizations and resources together, meeting individuals where they’re at and working directly with them to help ensure good outcomes. They work to empower instead of enable, to raise up instead of push along, and to defend where needed.”

Jason M.

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What Our Consumers Say About Us

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It’s not about the work, it’s about the people we work for.

Thank you to all of our consumers, their families and friends who have allowed us to be a part of their team and grow together.

“TLCIL has been a lifesaver for me. Mary, Susan, Kevin and staff were able to advocate for me when I was too ill to do it for myself. They made me aware of community resources I didn’t know existed or was even eligible for. Mary helped me through a devastating period of my life, from encouraging me to seek help for my mental illness and teaching me how to advocate for myself. This agency worked with me for two years, always with a friendly, knowledgeable attitude to help me win my disability case. TLCIL helped me get my life back and boosted my self-esteem in the process. I’ll never be able to express how grateful I am for all they’ve done for me especially during a pandemic when other services were halted. We brainstormed, problem solved and even laughed a little. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

C. Jock