Community Information and Referral Services

When it comes to finding resources and services in your community, it can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Luckily, there are organizations that specialize in providing community information and referral services. In this post, we will discuss what community information and referral services are, how they work, and the benefits of using them.

What are Community Information and Referral Services?

Community information and referral services are organizations that help connect individuals with the resources they need in their community. These resources can range from food banks to mental health services to housing assistance. These organizations act as a central hub for information about available resources in the community.

Typically, these organizations have trained staff members who can answer questions about available resources, eligibility requirements, and how to access them. They may also provide assistance with filling out applications or making appointments.

How Do Community Information and Referral Services Work?

The process of accessing community information and referral services is typically simple. Most organizations offer multiple ways to access their services, including:

  • Phone hotlines
  • Email inquiries
  • In-person visits
  • Online databases

When an individual contacts a community information and referral service, they will speak with a trained staff member who will ask them about their needs. Based on this conversation, the staff member will provide information about relevant resources in the community.

If the individual needs further assistance accessing these resources, the staff member may provide additional support such as helping them fill out applications or make appointments.

The Benefits of Using Community Information and Referral Services

There are many benefits to using community information and referral services, including:

  • Save time: Instead of spending hours researching available resources, community information and referral services can quickly provide information about relevant resources.
  • Access to a variety of resources: Community information and referral services have information about a wide range of resources in the community, which may be difficult to find on your own.
  • Expertise: The staff members at community information and referral services are trained to provide accurate and up-to-date information about available resources.

The Role of Companies in Supporting Community Information and Referral Services

Many companies recognize the importance of supporting community information and referral services. By supporting these organizations financially or through volunteer work, companies can help ensure that individuals in their communities have access to the resources they need.

In addition, companies can partner with community information and referral services to provide additional support for their employees. For example, a company may offer an employee assistance program (EAP) that includes access to community information and referral services for mental health support or financial assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of resources do community information and referral services provide?

Community information and referral services can provide information about a wide range of resources including food banks, housing assistance, mental health services, legal aid, employment support, transportation assistance, and more.

Are there eligibility requirements for accessing community resources?

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the resource. Some programs may have income requirements or require proof of residency. However, many programs are available to all individuals regardless of income or residency status.

Is there a cost associated with using community information and referral services?

No. Community information and referral services are typically free to use.

Conclusion

Community information and referral services are an invaluable resource for individuals in need of support. These organizations provide a central hub for information about available resources in the community, saving individuals time and providing access to a wide range of resources. Companies can play an important role in supporting these organizations and ensuring that their employees have access to the resources they need.



Related Links:





2: Community Information & Referral | Arizona Department of Housing

https://housing.az.gov/community-information-referral-0
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Community Information & Referral. 24 horas en todo el estado hotline: 211. 2200 N. Central Avenue. Phoenix, AZ 85004. (602) 263-8900 1-800-799-7739. OpenBooks Citizens Aide COVID-19 AZ.Gov Community Information & Referral 24 horas en todo el estado hotline: 211 Find in Google Maps (link is external)




3: Community Information, Referral & Follow-Up Program

https://carson.armymwr.com/programs/information-referral-follow
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Apr 29, 2024 ... Army Community Service at Fort Carson provides Community Information, Referral and Follow-Up services. For assistance, contact ACS at (719) ... Information, Referral & Follow-Up Program The Community Information, Referral and Follow-Up Program provides Fort Carson Commanders, Soldiers, and Families with information regarding community resources.  Also known as I&R, it is the initial point of contact at the Army Community Service (ACS) Center.  Staff links customers with on-post or off-post agencies and services.  If you are new or it's been a while since you've been in to visit ACS, come meet with us to complete an assessment form; it helps us to provide you with more specific types of services and programs.  We look forward to meeting you. If you are new to Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Carson, or you would like to get information about different resources to meet your needs, we will have you fill out a client intake form and sit down with one of our ACS Specialist for an assessment to go over more specific types of services and programs that will meet your needs and help improve your quality Client Intake at Unit Footprint Ideally suited for units who have seen an increase is negative trends (financial issues, relationship issues, etc.) with their Soldiers and Families, and units that will be going into a deployment, NTC/JRTC Rotation, or field training. Our ACS specialists give an ACS overview brief and provide a client intake form to assess the needs of Soldiers and their Families and support with referral management. If you are in need of a liaison for a service, our ACS Specialists will work closely with you and the service provider to communicate and come to a mutual understanding. ACS Specialists monitor and evaluate delivery of services and client responses.




4: Information & Referral - Our Family Services

https://www.ourfamilyservices.org/information-referral/
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Jan 19, 2023 ... Through the I&R directory, 2-1-1 helpline, and website, anyone in our community can easily connect with thousands of available resources. For more than 55 years, Arizona families and human service workers have relied on Information & Referral. Through the I&R directory, 2-1-1 helpline, and website, anyone in our community can easily connect with thousands of available resources. Information & Referral, which became a program of Our Family Services in 2008, collects and updates information on community services in the six Southern Arizona counties of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma. I&R works in partnership with 2-1-1 Arizona, a program of Solari Crisis & Human Services, which collects the information for the rest of the state and operates the 2-1-1 helpline now answering calls from all of Arizona. Together, these two agencies maintain a free, searchable online database of thousands of health and human services across Arizona. Services such as domestic violence shelters, emergency shelter, GED preparation, parenting classes, assistive technology, utilities assistance, food boxes, medical care, jobs training, childcare, legal aid, and counseling. Below are three ways to find services. Questions about the Information and Referral program? Email: lking@ourfamilyservices.org 2590 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712 | (520) 323-1708 For Housing Services Information: housing@ourfamilyservices.org For Donations and General Information: info@ourfamilyservices.org Our Family Services Donor Privacy Policy




5: Information and Referral Army MWR

https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and.../information-and-referral
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Aug 25, 2020 ... Community Information Services (Information and Referral) provides Soldiers and Families with timely, comprehensive information on both military and community ... Community Information Services (Information and Referral) provides Soldiers and Families with timely, comprehensive information on both military and community resources that will assist in meeting basic needs and improve quality of life.   Army OneSource (AOS) Community Support Coordinators  (Community Outreach)  Identify and build relationships with community service agencies, promoting partnerships with the Army and additional resources to military service providers and geographically dispersed Soldiers and their Families. Virtual Family Readiness Groups (vFRG)  Keeping Families up to date has never been easier! A vSFRG has the major functions of standard Soldier and Family Readiness Groups and serves the needs of geographically dispersed active and Reserve units and Families. Outreach Services Some members of the Army community could use a little more support, and that’s what Outreach Services gives. We focus on geographically or socially isolated Families, first-term Soldiers and Families, geographically separated Families, newly arrived Soldiers and Families, single-parent Families, and other Soldiers and Families identified by a needs assessment. Mobilization, Deployment and Stability and Support Operations Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) Employment Readiness Program (ERP) Exceptional Family Member Program Customer Rights and Responsibilities G9 integrates and delivers Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and services enabling readiness and resilience for a globally-responsive Army.