Information and Assistance

Results: 26

• Advocacy (3)
  FP-0500

  Advocacy

  FP-0500
  
  Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that they receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible and that organizations within the established service delivery system meet the collective needs of the community; that attempt to marshal public support for a particular issue or cause; or that seek to influence legislation, local ordinances or administrative rulings in order to benefit specific interest groups or achieve specific social, political or environmental goals.
• Area Agencies on Aging (1)
  TD-1100.6500-050

  Area Agencies on Aging

  TD-1100.6500-050
  
  Substate organizations authorized under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to develop a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based services for older adults within their planning and service area. State Units on Aging designate, provide federal and state funding, and monitor operations of AAAs. Eight states and the District of Columbia do not have AAAs and, therefore, serve the roles of both state and area agency. AAA's responsibilities include planning; development of local funding resources; and contracting with local service provider organizations to provide authorized services which include information and referral/assistance, outreach, case/care management, escort, transportation, homemaker/chore, personal care, home repair and rehabilitation, home delivered meals, congregate meals, adult day care, elder abuse prevention, nursing home ombudsman, legal assistance, employment and training, health promotion and disease prevention and senior centers as well as services that support caregivers including respite care, counseling and education programs. AAAs may provide a number of other services in situations where local service provider options are limited.
• Better Business Bureaus (1)
  DD-2100.1000

  Better Business Bureaus

  DD-2100.1000
  
  Nonprofit organizations sponsored by private, local businesses which provide general information about products or services, reliability reports, background information regarding local businesses and records of the companies' complaint handling performances. Most Better Business Bureaus accept complaints against businesses and help to resolve disputes through mediation or binding arbitration utilizing volunteer arbitration panels.
• Business Assistance Centers (6)
  TB-0900.0600

  Business Assistance Centers

  TB-0900.0600
  
  One-stop centers that provide information about business registration and incorporation; one-on-one business counseling; customized training; information about enterprise and empowerment zones for tax credits; access to government contracts; access to credit and financing resources; minority business development assistance; small business loan information; loan form preparation assistance; technical assistance on market research, marketing plans and business plans; and other support services for business owners and employers.
• Chambers of Commerce (14)
  TN-1000.1500

  Chambers of Commerce

  TN-1000.1500
  
  Local associations of business people, either operating their own companies or employed in organizations, who have organized to promote the welfare of their community (city, county, town, township or other locale), especially its commercial interests. Chambers of commerce direct their efforts to promoting the common economic interests of all the commercial enterprises within a locality rather than focusing on a particular industry, usually have an elected board of directors, and do their work through committees. They encourage the growth of new businesses, provide assistance to new firms seeking to locate in the community, advocate for actions that promote tourism and benefit the regional economy and serve as a voice for the business community at local and state levels. Member benefits may include publicity and advertising opportunities in vehicles such as member directories, visitor's guides and a community calendar; ribbon cutting ceremonies and grand openings for new establishments; business expos; job fairs; small business counseling; business seminars; member referrals; member-to-member discounts; health and other insurance; and a variety of social activities.
• Child Advocacy Centers (10)
  FT-3000.1450

  Child Advocacy Centers

  FT-3000.1450
  
  Programs that operate centers which facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation and treatment of child abuse cases. Services generally include videotaped interviews of child abuse victims in safe, child-friendly surroundings to avoid multiple interviews, reduce the trauma of disclosure and preserve statements for court purposes; crisis intervention and emotional support for victims and non-offending family members; forensic medical examinations; psychotherapy services including play therapy, family therapy and individual counseling for parents; support groups; case management; and interdisciplinary review of cases by teams of professionals including law enforcement, children's protective services, prosecution, medical, mental health, victim assistance, and child advocacy personnel.
• Comprehensive Information and Referral (3)
  TJ-3000.1500

  Comprehensive Information and Referral

  TJ-3000.1500
  
  Programs that maintain information about the full range of human services and which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers in the community.
• Comprehensive Job Assistance Centers (5)
  ND-1500

  Comprehensive Job Assistance Centers

  ND-1500
  
  One-stop centers that provide an array of employment and training services in a convenient, easily accessible location. Services may include job counseling, testing and assessment; resume preparation assistance, interview training and other prejob guidance services; job matching and referral; unemployment insurance and job registration; labor market and career information; information on financial aid for education and training; and referral for job training, transportation, child care, personal and financial counseling, health care and other human services resources in the community.
• Consumer Education (1)
  DD-1800

  Consumer Education

  DD-1800
  
  Programs that utilize a wide variety of informational materials and techniques to increase the public's awareness of their rights and responsibilities as consumers of goods and services. The services may include information concerning federal and state consumer protection laws and regulatory agencies; advice regarding comparison shopping, use of consumer reports and buying guides, and other practices that help consumers make informed decisions and avoid problems before they occur; and education regarding the steps that need to be taken to resolve problems with unfair credit practices, defective products, shoddy repairs or workmanship or incompetent services.
• Disability Rights Groups (3)
  TD-1600.3100-180

  Disability Rights Groups

  TD-1600.3100-180
  
  Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws or other social measures that protect the rights of people who have physical, mental, developmental or learning disabilities and maximize their ability to enjoy the same opportunities, resources and privileges as the mainstream population.
• Disaster Preparedness Information (10)
  TH-1700.1800

  Disaster Preparedness Information

  TH-1700.1800
  
  Programs that increase public awareness of the measures that people can take before, during and after a major disaster or wide-scale emergency to reduce loss of life and property and improve their chances for survival. Included are programs that inspect the homes of individual residents and give them a report which suggests ways to enhance their safety and reduce the risk of property damage or loss, as well as those that deal with disaster preparedness in a more general way. Also included are programs that provide fact sheets, hazard maps and other types of technical information about natural disasters that individuals and communities can review and evaluate to see if their area is at risk.
• Disease/Disability Information (2)
  LH-2700.1700

  Disease/Disability Information

  LH-2700.1700
  
  Programs that provide information about the causes and origins, preventive measures, symptoms, screening/diagnostic procedures, and/or methods of treatment or management including the latest research for specific illnesses or disabling conditions.
• Dropout Prevention (1)
  HH-1600.1600

  Dropout Prevention

  HH-1600.1600
  
  Programs that develop educational strategies and practices, including special instructional methods and materials, learning activities and diagnostic and assessment procedures which encourage children and adolescents to maintain an acceptable grade point average, avoid excessive absenteeism or disruptive behaviors which put them at risk for suspension or expulsion and remain in school through completion their elementary and secondary education. Included are school-based dropout prevention and academic intervention programs which lead to improved performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance, and discipline; and community based programs, often staffed by representatives from a variety of organizations including the school, the police, the probation department, family counseling agencies and delinquency diversion agencies, which monitor and/or investigate a young person's school attendance and jointly develop and implement interventions which encourage the young person to remain in school or to return to school if already a dropout.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning (9)
  TH-1700.1950

  Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning

  TH-1700.1950
  
  Emergency management agencies, health departments and other entities that conduct multi-hazard planning for their communities that will enable them to mitigate, prepare for, respond to or recover from natural disasters, public health crises, terrorist incidents or other emergencies that occur within or have an impact on their area. Emergency planning addresses citizen awareness and self-sufficiency, responder capabilities, interagency cooperation in emergency operations and the roles, responsibilities and activities of public and private organizations and their staffs in all phases of the disaster.
• General Consumer Complaints (1)
  DD-1500.4050

  General Consumer Complaints

  DD-1500.4050
  
  Programs such as local consumer complaints offices that respond to a range of consumer issues rather than specializing in handling a particular type of complaint. These programs register complaints by consumers and, when possible, attempt to find a satisfactory resolution.
• General Health Education Programs (4)
  LH-2700.2500

  General Health Education Programs

  LH-2700.2500
  
  Programs that provide information that helps the public make choices which promote personal health, prevent illness and disability, take advantage of opportunities for early detection, and support their ability to deal effectively with health problems when they arise. General health education programs provide information about a wide variety of health related topics rather than specializing in a particular area.
• General Mental Health Information/Education (2)
  RR-5150.2500

  General Mental Health Information/Education

  RR-5150.2500
  
  Programs that improve the public's understanding of mental health and mental illness and help people make choices which promote personal mental health, take advantage of opportunities for early detection, develop an awareness of available treatment options and support their ability to deal with mental health problems when they arise. General mental health information/education programs provide information about a wide variety of mental health related diagnoses rather than specializing in a particular area; and may develop and disseminate materials whose objective is to dispel misconceptions about the nature of mental illness, marshal support for people who have a psychiatric disability or behavioral issue and help to remove the stigma that is often associated with mental illness.
• Medical Information Services (1)
  TJ-3200.5000

  Medical Information Services

  TJ-3200.5000
  
  Programs that provide information about specific health and health-related topics including diseases and conditions, birth control, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, safety and other similar topics that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field.
• Nutrition Education (7)
  LH-2700.6000

  Nutrition Education

  LH-2700.6000
  
  Programs that provide information concerning the basic principles of healthful eating, food handling, food preparation and shopping skills. Included is information about the basic food groups, vitamin and mineral requirements, the relationship of nutrition to the preservation of good health and the prevention of illness, and dietary choices such as vegetarianism.
• Planning/Coordinating/Advisory Groups (6)
  TD-6500

  Planning/Coordinating/Advisory Groups

  TD-6500
  
  Governing boards, advisory boards, commissions, committees and other groups that provide advice, guidance and, in some cases, formal oversight, for public and private organizations that are responsible for the provision of services to the community; that assess existing social conditions and problems and develop and assist in the implementation of specific strategies for meeting the human service needs of the community; and/or which assist community agencies and organizations to coordinate the provision of services in an efficient, nonduplicative way. Also included are entities that are composed of community agencies which have an established networking relationship that provides a collaborative approach to addressing specific identified community needs and problems.
• Public Charities (4)
  TD-1200.6600

  Public Charities

  TD-1200.6600
  
  Nonprofit organizations that derive their funding or support primarily from a broad segment of the general public to carry out their social, educational, religious or other charitable activities serving the common welfare; and are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Public charities are the recipients of most foundation and corporate grants, and some also provide grants.
• Public Internet Access Sites (13)
  TJ-1800.6700

  Public Internet Access Sites

  TJ-1800.6700
  
  Programs, often offered by libraries, cyber cafes, and a variety of other government, nonprofit or proprietary organizations, that provide on-site Internet-enabled computers for public access.
• Public Libraries (16)
  TJ-4400.6500

  Public Libraries

  TJ-4400.6500
  
  Libraries supported by public and/or private funds which provide general library services without charge to all residents of a given community, district or region.
• Specialized Information and Referral (5)
  TJ-3000.8000

  Specialized Information and Referral

  TJ-3000.8000
  
  Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.
• Subject Specific Public Awareness/Education (3)
  TJ-6500.8500

  Subject Specific Public Awareness/Education

  TJ-6500.8500
  
  Programs that use any of a wide variety of materials to educate the public about issues that relate to a particular field or topic.
• Volunteer Recruitment/Placement (1)
  PW-9000

  Volunteer Recruitment/Placement

  PW-9000
  
  Programs that identify individuals who have chosen to work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration in one of the human service fields and which systematically evaluate the skills, talents and personalities of recruited volunteers and match them with human service agencies that need voluntary support.