Federal and National Resources and Contacts

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Federal Aging and Disability Resources
Federal Health Resources
Federal Mental Health Resources
Federal Benefit Assistance Resources
Other Federal Resources
National Organizations

Federal Aging and Disability Resources

U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL)
The official website of the U.S. Administration for Community Living

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR)
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, ADEAR provides information and publications on Alzheimer's disease to health and service professionals, patients and their families, caregivers, and the public.

Office of Disability Employment Policy
The Office of Disability Employment Policy within the U.S. Department of Labor provide supports and resources for employees with disabilities and their employers. 

Eldercare Locator
Find services anywhere in the US for older adults and people with disabilities, primarily a connection to Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs).

Longtermcare.gov
Use the Long Term Care Pathfinder to get relevant and useful information on planning for the long term.

Nursing Home Compare
A service of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Nursing Home Compare allows consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care information on every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country, including over 15,000 nationwide.

Federal Health Resources

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS' mission is to ensure effective, up-to-date health care coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries. The agency oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Healthcare.gov
A federal government Website that provides information on the Affordable Care Act.

Healthfinder
Provides links to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, websites and support and self-help groups, as well as government agencies and nonprofit organizations for seniors and others.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
HRSA, an agency of HHS, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

Medicare.gov
The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare.

Medline Plus (NIH)
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's website for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it provides free information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language that is easy to understand.

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This website provides information and referrals to both the public and professionals. It also presents information on chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

National Health Information Center (NHIC)
This website helps the public and health professionals locate health information through identification of health information resources, an information and referral system, and publications. It also uses a database containing descriptions of health-related organizations to refer inquirers to the most appropriate resources. The NHIC prepares and distributes publications and directories on health promotion and disease prevention topics.

National Institute on Aging (NIA) Information Center
The NIA Information Center provides publications on health topics of interest to older adults, doctors, nurses, social activity directors, health educators, and the public.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Disabled
The National Library Service is a network of 57 regional and 79 sub-regional libraries that is administered by the Library of Congress. It provides free library service to anyone who is unable to read or use standard printed materials because of visual or physical disabilities.

Federal Mental Health Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
The Institute's public inquiries line is staffed with trained information specialists who respond to information requests from the public, clinicians, and the scientific community with a variety of publications. On-line ordering of publications is available on the Institute's Web site.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA, an agency within HHS, is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

Federal Benefit Assistance Resources

Benefits.gov
This is the official government benefits website. It is a free, confidential tool that helps individuals find government benefits they may be eligible to receive.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This website contains general information on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which includes initiatives that assist families and individuals with energy costs.

Social Security Administration
The official site for Social Security, this website contains a wealth of information and resources including on-line databases and publications.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is the name for the federal Food Stamp Program. This website provides information on the SNAP including eligibility and application information.

Weatherization Assistance Program
Information on the Weatherization Assistance Program offered by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Other Federal Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC, a part of HHS, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting public health activities in the United States.

Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation provides grants and training and technical assistance to developing and expanding volunteer organizations. The agency oversees the Senior Corps (Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP).

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Site provides information related to housing options for seniors including information on HUD housing programs.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

Nutrition.gov
A federal resource that provides easy access to all online federal government information on nutrition.

USA.gov
The official U.S. gateway to all government information.

National Organizations

Inform USA

Inform USA is the professional membership association for community navigation or Information and Referral (I&R). Inform USA drives quality and connection in the sector as the sole source for standards, program accreditation, and practitioner certification.

USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities.

National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
NASDDDS represents the nation’s agencies in 50 states and the District of Columbia providing services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
NCIL is a membership organizations that advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. NCIL envisions a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.

National Disability Rights Network
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Through training and technical assistance, legal support, and legislative advocacy, NDRN works to create a society in which people with disabilities are afforded equality of opportunity and are able to fully participate by exercising choice and self-determination.

National 211 Initiative

211 is a free, confidential referral and information service that connects people from all communities and of all ages to the essential health and human services they need. 211 information specialists connect individuals to local organizations that provide critical human services. There are more than 200 211 agencies across the United States and over 90 percent of the U.S. population is covered by a 211 service.