General Social Services
211 First Call For Help – Information about local and statewide services, assistance and programs. Live Operator answers calls and searches database for best referral.
Elder Abuse Hotline
Indiana Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-800-992-6978
Missing Children/Endangered Adults
Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children and Missing Endangered Adults – The State Police Silver Alert toll-free telephone number (1-800-831-8953) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive immediate sighting information on possible missing children and missing endangered adults, to receive any related lead information, to receive recovery information, and to respond to requests for information and assistance.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Legal Services
Indiana Legal Services – Indiana Legal Services (ILS) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people throughout the state of Indiana. ILS helps clients who are faced with legal problems that harm their ability to have such basics as food, shelter, income, medical care or personal safety. 812- 339-7668 or 1-800-822-4774.
District X Pro Bono Project – Encourages pro bono legal representation for low income clients. 812-339-3610, toll free 1-800-570-1787 Email: dist10probono@gmail.com
Indiana Pro Bono Commission – List of legal services for low income individuals
Elderly and People with Disabilities
Crimes Against the Elderly – Public education and crime prevention initiatives from the Office of Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney.
Adult Protective Services – Call the Indiana Elder Abuse Hotline to report abuse or neglect of an endangered adult. 1-800-992-6978, or locally in Area 10 (Monroe, Owen, Morgan Counties) call 812- 349-2665.
Area 10 Agency on Aging – A private, not-for-profit corporation serving elderly persons in Monroe and Owen Counties to provide a wide variety of high quality, affordable services to the over 28,000 citizens 55 years of age and older in this area, and to others in the community who have concerns with older family members or friends. 812-876-3383 or 1-800-844-1010.
Elder Law Clinic at Indiana Legal Services – Provides legal assistance to clients age 60 and older on a wide range of civil legal problems in areas like housing, consumer law, tax, advance directives, and family law. 812-339-7668 or 1-800-822-4774
Bureau of Developmental Disabilities (BDDS) – Provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities that enable them to live as independently as possible in their communities.
Arc of Indiana – Promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Stone Belt – Provides a variety of services for children and adults with disabilities. For adults with developmental disabilities, Stone Belt provides residential, educational, employment services and mental health supports. Stone Belt’s Milestones clinic specializes in persons with disabilities as well as children, adolescents, young adults and their families.
Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana – The state chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, which is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.
Identity Theft
What You Need To Know About Identity Theft – A public education and crime prevention initiative of the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
Office of the Indiana Attorney General – Identity Theft resources.
Federal Trade Commission – Identity Theft Hotline 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-43-84338)
Consumer Resources
Indiana Attorney General Fraud Alert Program – A tool for Hoosiers to stay aware of the latest frauds to avoid falling victim. Consumers can sign up to receive fraud alerts by email or text message.
IndianaConsumer.com – The state’s one-stop resource for consumer information and education brought to you by the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Indiana Attorney General Consumer Complaint – You can file a consumer complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office online or by filling out a printable form. You can also request a complaint form by calling 1-800-382-5516 or 317-232-6330.
Annual Credit Report Request Service – For routine monitoring of your credit reports you should request your free annual credit reports through the Annual Credit Report Request Service. 877-322-8228
Consumer credit reporting companies – If your personal information has been compromised you may contact one of the three major consumer credit reporting companies to place an “initial fraud alert” on your credit report.
– Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
– Experian: 1-800-397-3742
– Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Mail Fraud
U.S. Postal Inspection Service – The mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to support and protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail.
Home Improvement Fraud
What You Need To Know About Home Improvement Fraud – A public education and crime prevention initiative of the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
Indiana Attorney General Consumer Complaint – You can file a consumer complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office online or by filling out a printable form. You can also request a complaint form by calling 1-800-382-5516 or 317-232-6330.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Monroe County Township Trustees: The township trustee is an elected official charged with providing temporary emergency assistance to Township residents who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship. The trustee helps with basic necessities such as rent, utilities, food, and some medical care. Please see the list below and contact the Township in which you live.
Bean Blossom Township: 812-935-7174
Benton Township: 812-325-0239
Bloomington Township: 812-336-4976
Clear Creek Township: 812-824-7225
Indian Creek Township: 812-824-4981
Perry Township: 812-336-3713
Polk Townshi:p 812-837-9446
Richland (Ellettsville) Township: 812-876-2509
Salt Creek Township: 812-837-9696
Van Buren Township: 812-825-4490
Washington Township: 812-876-1158
Other Emergency Financial Assistance:
Shalom Community Center – Dedicated to relieving the plight of people experiencing homelessness and poverty in South Central Indiana with a daytime resource center. 812-334-5728
Monroe County United Ministries – Provides affordable childcare for working families and basic needs assistance to Monroe County residents in crisis.
Health and Wellness
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – WIC is a special nutrition program that provides supplemental foods, nutrition counseling, and access to health services to low-income women, infants, and children under the age of five. 812-353-3221
Volunteers In Medicine (VIM) – The VIM clinic is a free medical clinic that is community owned, operated and financed. 812-333-4001
Indiana Violent Crime Compensation Fund
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard – Provides healthful, wholesome food for people in need as well as nutrition and gardening information.
Monroe County Community Kitchen – Works to eliminate hunger in Monroe County and surrounding areas through direct service, education and advocacy.