Generic Resources

Introduction. In the never ending quest for community resources, you may find this insert quite useful. It was compiled by Jennifer Pittam of CHOICESS. Where did she find them? She told us that she collected them from phone books, regional centers, city governments, newsletters and newspapers, libraries, Department of Rehabilitation, other support service providers, friends, radio information lines, local community access cable stations, community guides, United Way service agency guides, senior centers, etc. While some are specific to LA county, most you can find in any community.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Community colleges - disabled student services (in-class assistance, tutoring, etc.)

Community colleges - technology centers (adaptive equipment)

Literacy programs

Driver training programs

Adult education:

College

High School - Night School

Parks and Recreation

Classes offered by the city

Classes offered by individual businesses (e.g. craft stores, cooking supply stores)

YMCA, other organizations

FOOD/MEALS

Meals on wheels

Food banks and pantries

Food stamps (emergency assistance)

W.I.C. (Women, Infants and Children)

Community and church assistance leagues

SHARE - 2 hours of volunteer work + $14=$35 worth of groceries

HEALTH CARE

Free medications; for information call 1-800-PMA-INFO, ask for Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistant Programs which is free & very detailed.

County Health Department

Pregnancy help centers

Alcoholic Anonymous, Gambler's Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.

Hospice care

Doctor/Dentist referral services

Home health nursing

Assisted living providers

911

Non-emergency medical transportation companies

California state licensing boards (checking on medical license status, complaints, etc.)

HOUSING AND UTILITY DISCOUNTS

Bonding - rental discounts available in some cities for low income tenants

Lifeline rates and discounts (gas, electric, phone, water, cable - for basic only)

EPIC (Emergency Crisis Intervention Program)

1-800-433-4327; provides emergency, one time only, payment of utility bills for people facing shut off. Also, can provide deposits for start-up service.

Medical Baseline Discounts - increased allowance for lowest rate on utilities, based on necessary medical equipment (e.g., power wheelchairs, respirators)

Waived or discounted deposit fees for utilities

Free "411" calls

Adaptive phone equipment, including some emergency calling devices

Call blocking services (various combinations are possible, at no charge)

HEAP (Once a year assistance with utility bills at 1-800-433-4327)

Housing insulation and repair programs, many for tenants as well as home owners

Housing advocates, fair housing councils

Department of Housing and Building Safety (various names in various cities); can help get landlords to make needed repairs

Home adaptation providers

Legal Aid

Newcomers Clubs

Welcome Wagons

Police (evictions, etc.)

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES/CRISIS INTERVENTION

County Department of Mental Health

Counseling centers

Crisis intervention teams

Battered women's shelters

Rape crisis centers

Suicide hotlines

Support groups around special issues

Victim's of violent crime assistance programs

Church sponsored counseling services / programs

MISCELLANEOUS

Centers for Applied Rehabilitation Technology

Computer Access center's

Supported employment agencies

Free fishing licenses - State Department of Fish and Game

Discount camping fees at most state and federal parks

Immigration / Refugee services

Independent Living Centers

Volunteer bureaus

Roommate Finders type services

Senior centers / services

City Hall

Federal Information Center:

1-800-726-4995; can direct you to the correct federal resource to answer your question, request for info., etc.

State Information Office:

1-916-322-9900; can direct you to the correct state resource to answer your question, request for info, etc.

California Relay: Voice to TTD and TTD to voice for those with hearing impairments needing to receive/make calls to those without TTD equipment

California Speech Relay: same idea as California Relay, designed for individuals whose speech is difficult for others to understand. 1-888-377-3324 (for info: 916-445-9692; Tom Burns)

OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Customer service representative at the bank

Dept. Of Public Social Services

I.H.S.S.

A.F.D.C.

Food Stamps (Emergency)

W.I.C.

F.E.M.A. (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

BOGG grants pay for registration costs at Community Colleges for people with low income.

Debtor's anonymous

Consumer Credit Counseling

PARENTING/FAMILY SUPPORT

Pregnancy help center's

Head Start

Childbirth preparation classes

Parenting classes

Child care referral services

Adoption/foster care services

Legal aid

TRANSPORTATION

Para-transit companies

Discount transit vouchers - offered by the city to residents

Driver training programs

Non-emergency medical transportation

Carpool / Vanpool

Para-transit companies

Para-transit referral service

Taxi service