East Suburban Citizen Advocacy Inc

Mission Statement

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy (ESCA)'s mission is to provide advocacy and build inclusive opportunities for those with developmental disabilities.

About East Suburban Citizen Advocacy Inc

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy (ESCA) is a small non-profit organization that has been around since 1988. It was started by parents who were worried about their children with developmental disabilities, like intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. They wanted to make sure their kids would be safe and connected to their community even when they couldn't take care of them anymore. Today, ESCA helps people of all ages with developmental disabilities in Westmoreland County and the eastern part of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. They focus on the unique needs of each person, building a team of resources around them to help with their goals. These goals can be related to school, housing, jobs, mental health, legal issues, and more. The aim is to make sure these individuals are heard, understood, and supported. Some of the ways ESCA helps include guiding through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process, the IDD/Autism Waiver system, early intervention, dealing with abusive situations, legal guardianship, managing finances, and finding resources for young adults transitioning to adulthood. Importantly, all their advocacy services are free for those who need them.