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family relief hotlines for financial assistance

Some of these hotlines are government agencies, and some are privately administered.

Child-Support Enforcement Hotline......................(877) 696-6775
For single moms due support, the US Department of Health and Human Services will send them a free handbook complete with excellent advice and all their local contact numbers for help.

Child-Care Subsidy Hotline.......................(800) 424-2246
When daycare costs are too high, there is help. The National Association of Child Care Resources is a federally funded agency. They provide helpful information about assistance in your client's local area. They will help your caller find all options for child care payment assistance programs.

Mortgage Payment Assistance..................(800) 750-8956
For families falling behind on mortgage payments, this national agency will work with your client's mortgage company to arrange a workout plan to catch up missed payments. Housing counselors will discuss all options available to avoid foreclosure. Agency does not make loans or buy property.

Debt Relief Hotline.......(800) 291-1042
For families struggling with credit card debt, (typically over $10,000); relief is available. This national agency will contact your client's creditors, reduce payments, interest, and even principal amounts owed. Harassing collection calls will stop.

Free Bankruptcy Advice........................(800) 379-0985
Families who cannot use other debt solutions may need to speak with an attorney. The nation's largest consumer law firm has made this hotline available. Your client may call for a free conversation to discuss whether debt relief under bankruptcy makes sense for them.

Discount Prescriptions........................ (800) 291-1206
Families can save between 20% and 40% on their prescription medications. No exam needed.

Announcements & Events

LATEST OIL SPILL INFORMATION - Click Below

Children's Cold, Allergy Medicine RECALLED: Nationwide - A voluntary recall has been issued for more than 40 over-the-counter drugs for children, including Tylenol and Motrin, because they don't meet quality standards. The affected brands include: Tylenol Infants' Drops, Children's Tylenol Suspensions, Children's Tylenol Plus Suspensions, Motrin Infant Drops, Children's Motrin Suspensions, Children's Zyrtec Liquids in Bottles and Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquids in Bottles. More details are available by calling 1-888-222-6036 (Mon-Fri 7 am to 9 pm CST, and Sat-Sun 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST) or visiting McNeil's website for a complete detailed listing of product recall information.

Parents and caregivers who are not sure about alternative pediatric health treatment options should talk to their doctor or pharmacist and are reminded to never give drug products to infants and children that are not intended for those age groups as this could result in serious harm.

Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA’s) MedWatch Program by fax: 1-800-332-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Donations Needed: Lafayette/New Orleans - Second Harvest Food Banks are in need of non-perishable foods. To learn more about how to donate food items, hold a food drive or donate funds to Second Harvest Food Bank of Acadiana and New Orleans, call: 337- 237-7711 or visit: www.no-hunger.org.

Volunteer Opportunity: Baton Rouge - After a disaster, you can help in many ways. Register to attend a free training on helping the elderly and people with disabilities in emergency shelters. Tuesday, July 20, 2010 from 9:30am - 2:30pm; at the Louisiana Capital Area American Red Cross, 4655 Sherwood Common Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70816. To register, call: Jeanne Abadie: 1-800-960-7705, ext. 130.

Free Smoke Detectors: Lafayette - The Lafayette Consolidated Government, Emergency Operations & Security Fire Prevention Office (Bertrand Drive) has free smoke detectors for those who qualify. For additional information, please call (337) 291-8704.

Volunteer Drivers Needed: Lafayette - The Women' Shelter for pregnant women needs volunteer drivers to bring girls to/from doctor appointments, jobs and other places as their needs arise. There are currently two (2) resident girls. There are no 'set' times or schedules, so if you hear this 'call' and decide to volunteer, it will be on an "as needed" basis! If this is something you would like to do for a fantastic ministry, please call Ms. Brenda or Ms. Michela Camel at (337) 289-9366.

CPR Class: Lafayette -The Acadiana Safety Association offers adult CPR classes which are approved by Medic and the American Heart Association. Call Amber Cook at Acadiana Safety Assoc. (337) 234-4640 for more information.

Acadiana American Red Cross hosts CPR for Schools and Community Program for adults, child and infants, once per month, in Lafayette and New Iberia. The cost for the CPR class is $40; the combined CPR and First Aid Class is $50. All classes are state approved for child and day care workers; other course are also offered. For more information, call 234-7371 or 364-0423.

Caregiver Support Group: Opelousas - Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the HCOA Conference Room, 115 West Landry St.; Facilitator: Andrea Vidrine, LCSW. The Caregiver Support Group is a free support group offering great opportunity to share experiences and work to find solutions to the many issues caregivers face. For more information call: (337) 942-3622.

Food for Thought Support Group: Opelousas - Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at The Quarters, I-49 North, Exit 23. Food for Thought is a monthly lunch-hour educational series designed to help keep community members informed on the various topics faced when making healthcare decisions. For more information or to RSVP, please call (337) 942-3622.

Ostomy Support Group: Lafayette - Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm in Lafayette General Medical Center's Owen Auditorium.

Money Market Accounts

Hospice Care Looking for Volunteers: Lafayette -Hospice Care of Louisiana is looking for caring individuals to serve as volunteers. Volunteers can help in many ways, such as running errands, reading to a patient, offering companionship, providing relief to caregivers and providing office assistance. For more information, contact Hospice Care of Louisiana at 235-8690.

Medicaid Fraud: Individuals who feel they have been contacted by someone posing as a Medicaid representative can contact the Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 800-488-2917. For more information, go to www.dhh.louisiana.gov/medicaid.

VITA Needs Reading Tutor Volunteers: Lafayette/Opelousas -Volunteer Instructor Teaching Adults needs tutors to provide reading instruction toadults in Acadiana who want to improve their reading skills. The training will be held at Whitney National Bank, 905 Jefferson St. Call the VITA office at 234-4600 or 942-1511 to register.

Go Direct - Social Security: Go Direct is a national campaign designed to motivate more Americans to select direct deposit for their Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other federal benefit payments. The US Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks are sponsoring the campaign. For more information on Go Direct, call 800-333-1795 or visit their website www.godirect.org.

New Online Application for Medicaid Now Available: Louisiana citizens applying to enroll in any Medicaid program can use the online application process. This includes applying for Medicaid, LaCHIP (children's health care coverage), LaMOMS (coverage for pregnant women), the Medicaid Purchase Plan (coverage for workers with disabilities), the Medicare Savings Program (premium assistance for Medicare recipients) and TAKE CHARGE (family planning services for women). Visit the Department of Health and Hospitals Web site at http://www.stayhealthyla.org/home/alerts/view/316/

Veterans Adjusting from Deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq: Lafayette -Get help from: Ready 4 the Return through www.wholisticwellnessnetwork.org. Contact Jill Laroussini, RN, MSN at 501-6827. National Military Family Assn; e-mail: families@nmfa.org. U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/ VA Medical Centers in Louisiana are located in New Orleans, Pineville, Shreveport. Outpatient clinics are in Lafayette (2100 Jefferson St., 261-0734), Baton Rouge, Hammond, Jennings, LaPlace and Slidell. For treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, go to http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/information/

Want to be a Mentor? Lafayette -Renee Torro's HOSTS program Mentors only have to spend 40 minutes in a class once a week to help a child. To participate, please contact either Kimberly Edwards or Renee Torro at 235-2885. For more information about HOSTS, go to www.hosts.com Is your school participating in Hosts? A list of Middle Schools who have HOSTS are Paul Breaux Middle, N.P. Moss Middle, and Broussard Middle.

Pediatric First Aid Classes: Lafayette -The Acadiana Safety Association offers first aid classes for daycare center staff. Daycare Centers can call the ASA to schedule these state-approved courses. For more information call Amber Cook at Acadiana Safety Assoc. (337) 234-4640.

Opportunity for Out-of-School Youths Ages 16-21: Lafayette -The Louisiana Technical College's Lafayette campus is recruiting out-of-school youth for a career training program called Keeping Youth Trained and Educated (K.I.T.E.S.). The program is for students that have dropped out of high school and students currently enrolled in a GED program. Students receive skills training, support services and the opportunity to explore career opportunities. The program is free and students can earn money for attendance. Interested students may call the Lafayette campus at 262-5962.

Animal Aid Seeking Adult and Junior Volunteers:

Lafayette Animal Aid is looking for adult and junior volunteers to help with its activities. Volunteers perform a variety of duties, including socializing cats and dogs, preparing them for adopting and providing basic needs such as food and water. For more information, call Melissa Soto at (337) 896-1553.

Financial Assistance Available to Attend Conferences and Trainings:

Lafayette -If you are a parent of a person with a developmental disability or are a self advocate and need assistance paying for the cost of a conference, workshop or training seminar, Families Helping Families of Acadiana may be able to help. Through its contract with the LA Developmental Disabilities Council, Families Helping Families may be able to provide for stipends which can be used to pay for registration fees, travel, respite or child care, PCA services or other costs related to attending an event. If you would like to apply for a stipend, call FHF of Acadiana at (337) 984-3458 or (800) 378-9865.

Providers Accepting Medicare Insurance: To find a provider that accepts Medicare in your area, go to http://www.lamedicare.com. Choose Beneficiary Information from the left-hand rail. Then choose Medpard Database from the left-hand rail. You will then be able to choose the parish and specialty to find doctors in your area. Physicians listed are registered physicians only; this does not necessarily mean that a registered physician is accepting new patients (call the physician listed to find out if he/she is accepting new patients). If you do not have access to the internet, you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to obtain the information. All physician information is subject to change and individuals are urged to call the doctors listed for the most updated information.

Sheriff Debuts Safety Service - Tipsy Taxi: The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office Program, Tipsy Taxi, is designed to prevent intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and to promote partnerships between local law enforcement agencies, vendors, bartenders, restaurant employees and community members in providing free cab rides for patrons. Employees working around alcohol will receive specialized training on the Tipsy Taxi program. Utilizing this initiative, restaurant employees and bartender will be able to give vouchers to patrons they feel are too impaired to drive. The rides are confidential and available 24 hours per day, year round.

Drivers' Education: Lafayette -1st Choice Driving School is offering Driver's Ed for $45 (to start). Call 237-9345 or 1-866-937-4830 for more information.

Names of Incarcerated Individuals: may now be seen on the internet at www.lafayettesheriff.com Users can access the inmate portion by clicking on the Daily Arrest Report found on bottom left-hand side of the page. Expect a delay as the feature is slow to upload.

Iberia Humane Society: The Iberia Humane Society is View Details asking for donations of supplies to help with their large cat population. The shelter reports an active kitten season and has more than 100 felines in its facility. Cat litter and kitten and canned food are needed. Donations can be brought to 1314 Troy Rd., New Iberia from 2:30-4pm, Monday-Saturday and 8:30am to noon on Sunday. For more information call 365-1923.

Free Family Assistance Hotline For Families of Soldiers on Active Duty: The US Army Community and Family Support Center has started a free family assistance hotline, (800) 833-6622. The special phone line is for use by family members of soldiers on active duty, as well as those in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves.

VOICE: Voices of Innocent Citizens Empowered, a victims support group, will meet at 6 p.m. the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Iberia Parish Library on Main St. in New Iberia. Victims of any kind of crime are welcomed. For more information, call Catalene B. Theriot, (337) 369-4431.

Free Self-Defense Classes: On Tuesday's & Thursday's (three times per year), 6 p.m. at 111 S. St. Antoine St., sponsored by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. Call Craig Stansbury, Public Information Officer at (337) 236-5876 to register or to request an instructor to come to your place of business or organization.

City-Parish President's Committee For Citizens with Disabilities: A phone number, (337) 291-8308, and e-mail address, disability@lafayettegov.net, have been set up so residents can contribute ideas, complaints, questions and concerns to the City-Parish President's Committed for citizens with Disabilities.

Free HIV Testing: Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. will sponsor free and anonymous HIV tests from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at 203 W. Third St. For more information call (337) 233-2437 or 1-800-354-2437.

Cancer Survivors Support Group: LGMC & Cancer Survivors of Acadiana offer a free monthly educational/psychosocial support group from 1 p.m. -2 p.m., Wednesdays. The groups will meet in the LGMC Radiation Oncology Department in the professional office building behind the hospital, 155 Hospital Dr. For info. call (337) 289-8068.

Cell Phones for the Elderly or Abused Women: Anyone wishing to donate cell phones, for the elderly and abused women, may do so at the Faith House, Fire Dept., Police Dept., or Sheriff's Dept. These phones will be programmed to dial 911 for EMERGENCIES ONLY.

Last Updated - 03 Feb 2011 10:02:36 AM