FAQs • Luzerne County, PA • CivicEngage

What is Specialty Court?: The purpose of Luzerne County Specialty Court, like any other Mental Health Court/Specialty Court, is to link offenders with mental health needs who would ordinarily be prison-bound to long-term community-based treatment. They rely on thorough mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing judicial monitoring to address both the mental health need of the offenders and public safety concerns of the community. The client monitoring is accomplished through a team approach including comprehensive supervision, mental health counseling, medications treatment services, and immediate sanctions and incentives. Currently, there are over 160 mental health specialty courts across the country, and more are being planned.

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Human Services

1. Where can I get a copy of a Birth/Death Certificate?: Please call the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Scranton at 570-963-4595.

2. For Questions about Emergency Shelter and Housing.: Please call 570-826-8800, Ext. 2828

3. Where can I call with questions about SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamp program) or Medical Assistance benefits?: Please call the Luzerne County Assistance Office at 570-826-2100 or visit 205 South Washington Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18711. The County Assistance office is not a department of the Human Services Division. Our offices are not connected and we cannot transfer the call.

4. Where can I call with questions about “Child Support/Custody Issues”?: Please call Domestic Relations at 570-822-0600 or visit the Brominski Building, 113 West North Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18711.

5. Where can we get a Marriage License?: Please call Recorder of Deeds/Register of Wills Office at 570-825-1672. They can tell you exactly what is needed when applying for a marriage license. The office is located at the corner of River and Jackson Streets, Wilkes Barre, PA 18711.

6. Where do I call with questions about Jury Duty, Court Dates, etc?: Please call Court Administration at 570-825-1596.

7. Where can I get a Dog License?: You can purchase a Dog License on the second floor of the Penn Place building located at 20 North Pennsylvania Ave, Wilkes Barre, PA. Call ahead for times and costs. 570-825-1764.

8. Where do I call with questions about tax payments/billing?: Please call the Tax Claim Bureau at 570-825-1512.

9. What is Specialty Court?: The purpose of Luzerne County Specialty Court, like any other Mental Health Court/Specialty Court, is to link offenders with mental health needs who would ordinarily be prison-bound to long-term community-based treatment. They rely on thorough mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing judicial monitoring to address both the mental health need of the offenders and public safety concerns of the community. The client monitoring is accomplished through a team approach including comprehensive supervision, mental health counseling, medications treatment services, and immediate sanctions and incentives. Currently, there are over 160 mental health specialty courts across the country, and more are being planned.

10. Is there really a need for foster parents?: Yes! Our Children and Youth agency always tries to place foster children in their home school district and in foster homes which are best suited to meet their particular needs. Attempts are always made to place siblings together in the same foster home.

11. I think I want to be a foster parent. How do I begin?: Please call the Children and Youth Foster Unit at at 570-826-8718. This line is checked daily and calls are returned as soon as possible. Please don’t be discouraged that you have to leave a voicemail.

12. I am not blood related to the child but would like to be a Kinship resource for her/him/they. Is this possible?: Yes, kinship resources do not have to be blood related.

13. How can I start the process of becoming a Kinship resource for a child?: Please call the Children and Youth Kinship Unit at at 570-826-8710.