If you are looking for community resources, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to begin your search. There is a wide variety of community organizations in St. Tammany Parish that can help with individual, family, and community needs.
The St. Tammany Parish Government Community Action Agency (CCA) provides a list of area organizations aimed toward assisting community members with a variety of needs. You can access the list here, opens a new window.
STP HELPS, opens a new window provides lists of resources in our community on a variety of topics, including employment, community action, financial, food and housing assistance, transportation, including a rideshare program, legal services, storm preparation, elections, and more.
VIA LINK connects people to housing, food, mental health services, health care, suicide prevention, senior services, and more via its hotline. All you have to do is call 2-1-1 (in Southeast Louisiana). This phone number is manned 24 hours a day and provides crisis counseling, information, and referrals to various programs. You can also visit their website, opens a new window for information.
The Louisiana Department of Health has an excellent Quick Links, opens a new window page on its website that lists a wide variety of resources in our state, from children’s services and aging/adult services to health services and environmental concerns.
As the school year begins, child and family services are important resources to identify. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, opens a new window (DCFS) provides information regarding child welfare, child support, adoption, foster care, a safe haven for parents who are unable to care for a baby less than 60 days old, and disability determination. They also provide information regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, opens a new window (SNAP), the Kinship Care Subsidy Program, opens a new window (KCSP), and the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, opens a new window (FITAP). You can also create a SNAP, opens a new window account online through the Louisiana CAFÉ customer portal.
The Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) provides health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19. It is a no-cost health program that pays for hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, shots, and more. Click here, opens a new window to find out eligibility, apply, renew, and learn other important information regarding the program.
Northshore Families Helping Families, opens a new window is a family-driven resource center that serves the greater Northshore area. Each staff member has a family member with a disability or is a self-advocate for those with disabilities. They serve individuals with disabilities throughout their lifespan, from initial diagnosis through adulthood. Not only are they a great resource, but they also offer support and guidance, as well as adult programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, giving them the opportunity to connect with others in social settings.
Gulf Coast Social Services, opens a new window offers a variety of services designed to assist at-risk youth in our community. These programs offer mentoring, training, and guidance utilizing skilled and experienced staff, who provide services in classroom settings, homes, or in the community, both one-on-one and through group activities.
If you need assistance navigating through these resources, or have questions about where to go to find the type of assistance you, your family, or friends may need, please feel free to reach out to a Reference Librarian, opens a new window at a library branch near you with your questions.
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