Loca Human Services

Local Human Services

Tiffany Johnson

Post University

        I live in a rural town called Holden Louisiana. I have lived here for going on two years now. There are more services in my area then I knew about before I did further research into looking. When checking on www.211.org I was only given one choice for help. This was the United Way a volunteer service that raises money to allow programs to be available to any and everyone no matter race age or gender. Although, this is the only service that was available on this website other services that are available in my local area are the Supplement Nutritional Assistance Program better known as the SNAP Program which is a government funded program that helps low income families with money for food. Medicaid/Medicare which is health insurance for low income people. Which covers from regular doctor’s visits to dental appointments and even vision. Also, there is child care assistance for those in need as well.

        Living in a rural area there are not many local services to us that we do not have to travel for or get from applying virtually from home. Living in a small town does limit the amount of services that are available but it makes for easier living. Our living is cheaper and by finding local jobs in our small area we are also able to save on the cost of transportation. The area I live in is by no means wealthy we are all at different levels on the wealth scale. There are areas that live in poverty and others that are better off. We may be a small town but we are still able to have community based schools in our area from kindergarten all the way up to twelve. We are also able to get community- based mental health care as well which focuses on treatment has become health and wellness and not the illness. (Woodside/McClam page 65, para 2 line 2) Although, we have a few trends our local area needs wraparound services that focus more on the youth in our area. If we could start something like The Youth in Need in Michigan in 1974. (Woodside/McClam page 66, box 3.1.) Having more centers for teens in runaway situations and the ones being abused could help downsize the number of juvenile delinquents in the surrounding area. Having more age appropriate activities for the adolescent to do in the area would also help downsize the amount of crime and drugs going on as well. Giving a positive outlet for them will help them come positive community members.

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