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2-1-1    

232-HELP/211 PROGRAMS
 

• Milk Fund 
• Donated Dental Services (DDS) 
• Project Rx 
• Transportation 
• Eye Care for the Elderly & Handicapped 
• Low-Cost Blood Level Testing 
• Medical Appliance Loan Program 
• HelpLine 

The Milk Fund

The Milk Fund was established in 1969 as a cooperative endeavor between The Daily Advertiser, Borden's and 232-HELP/211 to provide emergency milk to families with children and the elderly in time of crisis. Funding for this program is generated from the monthly Milk Fund article in The Daily Advertiser. Donations from the community support the Milk Fund program. Milk is delivered only to families who have been approved for food stamps and are in the waiting period. The quantity of milk received is based upon family size and need.

To qualify for the Milk Fund, the following program criteria must be met:

• Income level must fall below the Federal poverty guidelines 

• Client has applied for food stamps and has been approved, but is in the thirty day waiting period before receiving them 

• Lives in a Borden's service area in Acadiana

To apply for the Milk Fund, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or complete the preliminary application.

Donated Dental Services

The Donated Dental Services Program (DDS) was established in 1988 to provide free basic dental services to the elderly, handicapped or medically compromised who lack adequate income to pay for needed dental care. Volunteer dentists across Acadiana donate their time and services to the program. DDS is unlike other programs for special patient populations, in that the dentists donate dental services in their own offices instead of central treatment centers that may not be easily accessed by the client.  This makes it more convenient for both the client and dentist.

To qualify for the DDS Program, the following criteria must be met:

• Handicapped 18 years or older and receiving SSI and/or Social Security Disability (ex: mental retardation, muscle disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental disabilities, spinal cord injuries (no other type of back injury) or mental illnesses (bi-polar, schizophrenia), etc.); or 

• Medically compromised 18 years or older and prevented from working (ex: cancer, renal/kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, severe diabetes etc.); and all 

• Income level must be at or below the Federal poverty guidelines 

The program provides: simple extractions (1-5), restorations (caps, front root canals, crowns, fillings), treatment of abscesses. 

Please make note of the following important information:

• There is a waiting list for assistance

• Proof of income is required

• The DDS Program does not provide lifetime dental care

• The Dentists do not donate maintenance cleanings or examinations after the initial treatment is complete

• Dental Services do not  provide for or include regular cleanings, full mouth extractions, dentures/partials/bridges, posterior root canals, space maintainers or orthodontic treatment

• All dental work is restricted to the schedule set up by and mailed to you from 232-HELP/211 Donated Dental Program as directed by the Dentist providing the services

• No additional services can or should be requested when visiting the Dentist.

Dentists are donating their time, equipment and staff for the scheduled procedures.  Please abide by the conditions listed above.

To apply to the DDS Program, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or by completing an  application.

Project Rx

In 1991, 232-HELP/211 established Project Rx, a fund that provides prescription medication to those in financial distress. Local participating pharmacies offer a discount on all medication filled by 232-HELP/211. Through generous donations and an annual fund-raiser, Anything is Pastable, Project Rx continues to help those who could not otherwise obtain costly but much needed medicine.

232-HELP/211 will assist an individual with a maximum of $50 per year and $100 maximum per household per year. No prescriptions for pain medicine, tranquilizers or other narcotics are filled. Generic brands must be used when available.

To qualify for assistance through Project Rx, a person must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in Lafayette, St. Martin, Vermilion, St. Landry, Acadia, Avoyelles and Iberia (limited assistance) parishes. 

• Have a doctor's prescription for the medication 

• Income level must fall below the Federal poverty guidelines 

To apply for assistance through Project Rx, call 232-HELP/211 (337-232-4357).

Transportation

The Transportation program was implemented to assist people with transportation to appointments at medical facilities outside of Acadiana. 232-HELP/211 will either purchase a bus ticket with Greyhound Bus Lines which offers a charity rate to clients referred by us, or pay for a tank of gas. All appointments are verified before assistance is given.

To qualify for our Transportation program the following criteria must be met:

• Income level must fall below the Federal poverty guidelines 

• Proof of a medical appointment outside of Acadiana

• Applicants are normally helped once in a six month period 

To apply for assistance with transportation, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or complete a preliminary application.

Eye Care for the Elderly & Handicapped

This program provides a free eye exam to the elderly, age 62 and over and the handicapped (18 years and older) in Acadiana. Area ophthalmologists volunteer their services. The program only helps with the eye exam, not frames and lenses if glasses are prescribed. However, we have a box of donated frames (used) at the office for clients.

To qualify for a free eye exam the following criteria must be met:

• Senior citizens age 62 and over; or 

• Handicapped 18 years and over; and

• Income level must fall below the Federal poverty guidelines 

To apply for  the Eye Care for the Needy Program, call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or complete a preliminary application.

Low-Cost Blood Level Testing

This program was established in 1984 to reduce the financial burden placed on individuals with epilepsy or a seizure disorder that requires routine drug level testing as part of their medical treatment.   This program would not be possible without the cooperation of Acadiana Medical Laboratories. 

The annual membership fee for the program is $10.00 per person. The fee for the first blood test is $15.00 and each subsequent test is $10.00. This is a savings of 50% or more depending on which medication is being tested.

To apply to the program, a completed application along with $10.00 is submitted to 232-HELP/211. Once the application is received a membership card will be mailed to the applicant which can be used immediately. No appointment is necessary. All that is needed is the card and a prescription from a physician ordering the test.

To qualify for the Low-Cost Blood Level Testing Program the client has to be diagnosed as having epilepsy or a seizure or bipolar disorder and required to have routine blood testing to check medication levels.

To become a member of the Low-Cost Blood Level Testing Program, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or  complete a preliminary application.

Medical Appliance Loan Program

In conjunction with Lafayette's Beaver Club, the program furnishes wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and other medical appliances to eligible individuals. The Beaver Club purchases, repairs and supplies the appliances, and 232-HELP/211 screens and maintains client and appliance records. Clients are responsible for the appliance and must sign a "use agreement" before they take possession of the appliance.

To qualify for the Medical Appliance Loan Program the following criteria must be met:

• Have a true need for a medical appliance 

• Reside in Acadiana 

• Sign a "use agreement" form 

To apply for the Medical Appliance Loan Program, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357 or complete a preliminary application.

HelpLine

HelpLine is a joint venture between 232-HELP/211 and The Daily Advertiser which offers financial assistance to those in desperate financial need due to serious illness or catastrophic personal circumstances. Donations are solicited from the community through stories published by The Daily Advertiser. All donations are mailed directly to Bank One and administered by 232-HELP/211.  Applicants are evaluated on an individual basis.

To qualify for HelpLine the following criteria must be met:

• Reside in Acadiana 
• Income level must fall below the Federal poverty guidelines 

 
All programs are for the Acadiana area Only (2-1-1 Region IV)

Other qualifications may apply