You're looking for general support resources in Alabama, and the best place to start for almost any need is **2-1-1 Connects Alabama**.1 This is a free, confidential service designed to connect people with local health and human service organizations.2 Here's a comprehensive list of general support resources in Alabama: ### **ALABAMA GENERAL SUPPORT RESOURCES** **I. 2-1-1 Connects Alabama (Your Primary Gateway to Resources)**3 - **Purpose:** 2-1-1 Connects Alabama is a statewide network that provides easy access to health and human services available throughout Alabama.4 It's a "first step" for finding help with a wide range of everyday needs. - **Phone:** Dial **2-1-1** (It's a free, easy-to-remember number)5 - **Toll-Free:** 1-888-421-12666 - **Text:** Text your ZIP code to **898-211** to message a live specialist.7 - **Website:** [https://www.211connectsalabama.org/](https://www.211connectsalabama.org/) - **What they can help with:** - **Basic Human Needs:** Food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.8 - **Health and Mental Health:** Health insurance programs, maternal health, medical information lines, crisis intervention services (they can connect you to 988 or local crisis lines), support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation. - **Employment Support:** Financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs. - **Support for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities:** Adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.9 (See also Alabama AGELINE below) - **Support for Children, Youth, and Families:** Child care, after-school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.10 - **Government Information:** City, County, State services and programs.11 - **Disaster Relief:** During times of disaster, 2-1-1 helps coordinate information about road closures, shelters, and directs volunteers and donations.12 - **Volunteer Opportunities and Donations:** Connects people looking to help with community involvement opportunities.13 - **Military and Family Support:** Programs for veterans and their families.14 **II. Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)** DHR is the state agency responsible for administering various programs aimed at supporting families and vulnerable individuals.15 - **Purpose:** Provides a safety net of services including child welfare, adult protective services, and financial assistance programs.16 - **General Information:** (334) 242-1310 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday) - **Website:** [https://dhr.alabama.gov/](https://dhr.alabama.gov/) - **Key Services/Departments:** - **Adult Protective Services:** For reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including seniors.17 - **Adult Abuse Hotline:** 1-800-458-721418 - **Child Protective Services:** For reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.19 - **County DHR Directory:** [https://dhr.alabama.gov/county-contact/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://dhr.alabama.gov/county-contact/) (to find local reporting numbers) - **Family Assistance Program (TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families):** Provides temporary cash assistance for basic needs for low-income families with children.20 - **Phone:** (334) 242-1773 or (334) 242-1950 - **Food Assistance (SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):** Helps low-income individuals and families purchase food. - **Montgomery Area:** (334) 242-0143 - **Outside Montgomery Area:** 1-800-382-0499 - **Online Application/Management:** [MyDHR.alabama.gov](https://mydhr.alabama.gov/) - **Child Support Enforcement:** Helps establish and enforce child support orders. - **Phone:** (334) 242-9300 **III. Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)** - **Purpose:** Oversees a comprehensive system of public mental health and substance abuse services across the state. - **24/7 Crisis Line (General):** 1-800-367-0955 - **Substance Abuse Helpline:** 1-844-307-176021 - **Website:** [https://mh.alabama.gov/](https://mh.alabama.gov/) - **Key Services/Resources:** - **Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs):** These centers operate in every county and provide a wide range of mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual disability services, often on a sliding fee scale. You can find a list on their website. - **Peer Programs:** Supports peer support specialists who use their lived experience to help others in recovery. - **Hotlines and Warm Lines:** A comprehensive list of mental health and crisis lines. **IV. Alabama AGELINE (Aging & Disability Resource Center - ADRC)** - **Purpose:** The central access point for information and assistance on services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, as well as their caregivers.22 - **Phone:** **1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463)23** - **Website:** [https://alabamaageline.gov/](https://alabamaageline.gov/) - **Services:** Connects individuals to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), provides information on Medicare, caregiver support, long-term care options, senior meals, transportation, and more.24 **V. Legal Services Alabama (LSA)** - **Purpose:** Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.25 - **Statewide Intake Hotline:** **1-866-456-4995** - **Website:** [https://legalservicesalabama.org/](https://legalservicesalabama.org/) - **Areas of Assistance:** Housing, eviction, family law (divorce, custody, domestic violence protection), consumer issues, public benefits, and some civil rights issues. **VI. United Way Chapters (Local Community Support)** - **Purpose:** United Way chapters across Alabama work to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. They often fund and support various local non-profit organizations providing direct services. - **Find Your Local United Way:** Search online for "United Way [Your City/County]" (e.g., "United Way of Central Alabama," "United Way of Southwest Alabama"). Many local United Ways manage the 2-1-1 service in their area. - **Services:** Connects individuals and families with local services, often including housing assistance, financial counseling, job training, and more, based on local community needs.26 **VII. Salvation Army** - **Purpose:** Offers a wide range of services including emergency shelter, food assistance, disaster relief, and rehabilitation programs.27 - **Find Local Services:** Visit their national website and use the "Find Services" tool with your zip code: [https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/](https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/) **VIII. Community Action Agencies (CAAs)** - **Purpose:** Local non-profit organizations dedicated to helping low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. - **Services:** Often include energy and utility bill assistance (LIHEAP), weatherization programs, housing assistance, job placement, and training services.28 - **Find Your Local CAA:** You can often find a list of CAAs on the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) website or through a 2-1-1 search. **How to Use These Resources Effectively:** - **Start with 2-1-1:** If you're unsure where to begin, dialing 2-1-1 is usually the most efficient way to get connected to the specific resources you need in your local area. - **Be Prepared:** When you call, have a clear idea of what kind of help you're looking for and be ready to provide basic information about your situation. - **Persistence:** Sometimes, finding the right resource requires a few calls. Don't get discouraged if the first place can't help directly; they can often refer you to someone who can. These general support resources form a vital network across Alabama to assist individuals and families with a wide array of needs. Here is a comprehensive list of **support resources in Alabama** for various needs, including crisis support, mental health services, and social services: --- ### **General Support Resources in Alabama** #### **1. 2-1-1 Connect Alabama** - **Purpose**: A statewide service connecting residents to local resources for health, housing, food, employment, and more. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: Dial **211** - **Website**: [211connectsalabama.org](https://www.211connectsalabama.org) - **Services**: - Emergency housing assistance. - Referrals to mental health services. - Help with food and utility bills. --- ### **2. Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)** - **Purpose**: Provides assistance with family and social services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **334-242-1310** - **Website**: [dhr.alabama.gov](https://www.dhr.alabama.gov) - **Services**: - Child welfare and foster care programs. - Food assistance (SNAP). - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). --- ### **3. Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)** - **Purpose**: Offers mental health and substance abuse services statewide. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **1-800-367-0955** (Crisis Line) - **Website**: [mh.alabama.gov](https://mh.alabama.gov) - **Services**: - Mental health crisis intervention. - Addiction treatment programs. - Services for individuals with developmental disabilities. --- ### **4. Crisis Center Birmingham** - **Purpose**: Provides support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, including suicide prevention. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **205-323-7777** (24/7) - **Website**: [crisiscenterbham.org](https://www.crisiscenterbham.org) - **Services**: - Crisis counseling and emotional support. - Referrals to local mental health services. - Support groups for survivors of trauma. --- ### **5. United Way of Central Alabama** - **Purpose**: Connects individuals and families with local services and community resources. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **205-251-5131** - **Website**: [uwca.org](https://www.uwca.org) - **Services**: - Housing assistance. - Financial counseling. - Resources for job training and education. --- ### **6. Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV)** - **Purpose**: Offers support to victims of domestic violence. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **1-800-650-6522** (24/7) - **Website**: [acadv.org](https://www.acadv.org) - **Services**: - Emergency shelter and advocacy. - Counseling and legal support. - Education and outreach programs. --- ### **7. Legal Services Alabama (LSA)** - **Purpose**: Provides free legal aid for low-income individuals and families. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **1-866-456-4995** - **Website**: [legalservicesalabama.org](https://www.legalservicesalabama.org) - **Services**: - Help with housing and eviction issues. - Family law and custody cases. - Assistance with public benefits. --- ### **8. Alabama Suicide Prevention Resources** - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **988** (National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) - **Text**: Text "HOME" to **741741** (Crisis Text Line) - **Services**: - Immediate crisis counseling. - Suicide prevention education. - Connection to mental health providers. --- ### **9. Community Action Agencies in Alabama** - **Purpose**: Local agencies providing assistance with housing, utilities, and employment. - **Website**: [caaalabama.org](https://www.caaalabama.org) - **Services**: - Energy and utility bill assistance. - Weatherization programs for homes. - Job placement and training services. --- ### **10. LGBTQ+ Support in Alabama** - **Organizations**: - **Free2Be (Huntsville)**: Advocacy and mental health support for LGBTQ+ individuals. - **Phone**: **256-886-1150** - **Website**: [free2be.org](http://www.free2be.org) - **PFLAG Alabama**: Support groups and education for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. - **Website**: [pflag.org](https://www.pflag.org) --- ### **11. Alabama Area Agency on Aging (AAA)** - **Purpose**: Resources and support for older adults and their caregivers. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **1-800-243-5463** - **Website**: [alabamaageline.gov](https://www.alabamaageline.gov) - **Services**: - Meals on Wheels. - Caregiver support. - Medicare counseling. --- ### **12. Addiction Support** - **Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)**: - **Phone**: **1-844-307-1760** (Substance Abuse Helpline) - **Website**: [mh.alabama.gov](https://mh.alabama.gov) - **Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Alabama**: - **Website**: [aa.org](https://www.aa.org) --- ### **When to Use These Resources** - For immediate crises, dial 911 or contact a specific crisis hotline (such as 988). - For ongoing support, reach out to the relevant local agency or service listed above. Let me know if you need more details on any of these resources!