What To Expect

Learn more about what to expect when contacting a community resource agency, signing up for help, and getting services. Below are general tips that may be helpful for getting community resources.

Contacting An Agency

• There are different ways you can contact agencies, like phone, text, or email. Check their website or flyer for details.
• Agencies may not respond right away. If you call and get a voicemail, leave a message. After a few days, try reaching out again.
• Agencies may collect important, needed information in order to best link you to resources. Some of this information may feel personal.
• Some agencies will have staff who can work with you to get the information you need.

Signing Up For Help

• Agencies may serve specific groups of people or people in certain situations. Check online or call if you are unsure if you qualify for their services.
• Agencies may need documents to prove you qualify for services. These may include: (photo ID, proof of income, proof of address, utility bill, eviction notice, medical history, citizenship documentation, Social Security card)
• Resources for IDs and documentation:
  • Ohio BMV
  • Franklin County Re-entry Services
  • SAFER Station (ID clinic on Fridays)

Getting Services

• Agencies are open at different times on different days. Check online or call, if you can, for the most up-to-date hours.
• Some agencies ask for you to make an appointment. For some, you can just walk in. Some require an application, and some don’t.
• You may not get services right away. Sometimes agencies do not have enough resources to share. They may use a waitlist.
• Some services are first come, first served. This means they help the people who get there first, not always the people who are most in need.
• Agencies have different abilities to serve families who speak a language other than English.