2018 Annual Report

232-HELP is a 501(c)3 non-profit, comprehensive information and referral agency providing hope and assistance to children, couples, single parents, senior citizens, people with handicaps, teens, men and women suffering from domestic violence, homeless, individuals, families and communities. We develop, provide for, advocate and refer those in need to community-based services. Our staff is called Community Care Navigators (CCN).

In collaboration with a host of service providers, our CCN staff dedicates its expertise and empathy in assessing and responding to the myraid of crises befalling people, oftentimes through no fault of their own. Staff support is offered in an inviting, non-judgemental and confidential manner, helping callers to clarify their situation and to make informed decisions about possible solutions. Sometimes, the need is simply the phone number of an agency. Other times, more complex case management is required when multiple issues are presented needing a coordinated response between a multitude of service providers.

232-HELP maintains a database of more than 1,500 resources, which contains over 500 agencies, for Acadiana. Accurate and up-to-date information is maintained for organizations from the smallest food pantries to the largest State and Federal entities. Resource information is obtained through annual community service updates, outreach events and partnership meetings, which allow us to collect information, promote our services and participate in local initiatives.

People who contact us - from all generations and walks-of-life within our 10-parish service area and from various other parts of Louisiana and other States - leave with the tools, skills, connections and confidence to face life's challenges.

Assessments involve a variety of communication techniques, including active listening, to access the needs of inquirers. It is critical to thoroughly understand an inquirer's situation before giving information and/or referrals or providing advocacy services.

232-HELP callers primarily needed the following types of assistance:

• Information giving is a response to specific inquiries about human services. The information may range from a limited response, such as a phone number or address to fully developed case management assistance.
• Referrals involve assessing the needs of a client as openly and non-obtrusively as possible, identifying appropriate resources that meet those needs, and allowing the client to choose from a variety of service options.
• Advocacy occurs on behalf of an individual when, once eligibility is confirmed, services are not adequately provided or when the individual is unable to obtain a service on their own.

232-HELP collects and organizes aggregate information on the demographics of clients and their needs so that we can measure performance and to support community planning. These statistics help funders, government entities and other social service organizations:

• Understand why there is a need for a particular service;
• Gender and age groups of those using the services;
• Where services are needed or are lacking; and,
• Which programs are doing well.

The reports generated from this data provide valuable information on programs available to youth and families, whether to continue certain services, or establishes baselines in determining the amount of funds needed to initiate services.

232-HELP is a single-destination agency providing information, education and referral services. Guidance and direct services are rendered as required.

232-HELP exists to help those in crisis return to being healthy and productive members of the community and to empower and strengthen individuals and families by connecting those in need with community and social services that address their needs.

1. Facilitating referral to the proper agency or group for those who need help and following through on all referrals.
2. Rendering, when possible, direct services in the absence of any other agency, individual or organized service capable of responding to a particular request for help.
3. Collaborating and networking with other community service organizations within the 232-HELP area-geographic boundaries, as well as, other Louisiana 211 providers.
4. Educating the public on matters related to health and social problems.
5. Identifying gaps in community services and incubating new programs where needed.
6. Engaging in realistic long-range planning to ensure the delivery of our Mission.