Export officials want more communication with nonprofit social-service site

Export officials are hoping to have a clearer line of communication with a nonprofit that operates a house in the borough for individuals with disabilities.

Community Living And Support Services (CLASS), a nonprofit whose mission is to “support people with disabilities as they explore options, participate in the community and strive toward equality,” has a location on Coolidge Street.

The group is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and clients are referred by the state’s Department of Human Services.

In recent years, the house has been the site of several emergency-services calls, including four in a two-week period for one of the three people previously living at the house.

“We had a client who required paramedics, who is now in a more-intensive care unit,” said CLASS Program Director Chris Phelps.

CLASS Site Supervisor Jim Zucco said the group’s goal is to offer people with disabilities a chance to have “a life that’s not in an institution.”

“I know we’ve had issues that have been difficult,” Zucco said.

“But we’ve also experienced a lot of success at our location here in Export.”

Phelps said CLASS has one staff member caring for the three residents, and that it is not a medical or nursing facility.

Councilwoman Melanie Litz, who also works in the social services field, said the more information CLASS officials can provide the borough, the better.

“Communication is key,” she said. “That makes it easier for everyone to do their jobs.”

Litz and Councilman Dave Silvis — who is also the borough fire chief — asked that CLASS provide information on where clients are staying and what their needs may be.

“All of that type of thing helps me out if the fire department or Murrysville Medic One gets called out there,” Silvis said.

“That way, I can be thinking about how many guys I need and where I should be sending them.”

Borough solicitor Wes Long said firefighters and medics would benefit from basic information about the situation in the house.

“We’re just trying to make sure these individuals are provided for as safely as possible,” Long said.

Phelps said CLASS conducts monthly fire drills at the site, and both he and Zucco agreed to remain in regular contact with the borough.

“We want to make sure these guys get the same chance we get, to live as independent a life as they can,” Zucco said.

For more on CLASS, see ClassCommunity.org.