Specialized Information and Referral

The program provides disaster services for residents of the city of Los Angeles during a state or federally declared disaster. Services include specialized information and referral for disaster victims. The city utilizes its Youth and Family Centers for disaster response to provide a centralized location for federal and state emergency services such as FEMA and OES. Disaster services are provided at the centers by private agencies as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and by other community-based organizations in the local area. See the separate entry: L A City Community Development Department - Human Services and Family Development for individual Youth and Family Centers.

Services include specialized information and referral. Staff also provide case management services for center clients who have on-going needs. Mobile units/mobile contact teams provide outreach to clients unable to come in to the center such as the elderly and disabled. Clients are referred to local community service organizations for other needed services which include referrals for emergency food, shelter and clothing; credit counseling; crisis counseling, child care referrals, CPR and First Aid training; employment training referrals; housing referrals; health education and health services referrals; insurance and loan information; and Section 8 Housing assistance.