HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY

For serious health problems requiring immediate care call the local hospitals, your doctor, walk-in health centers, the public nurses, and other services listed under KEY F, HEALTH CARE. Call (911) the fire departments for fast ambulance service.

This Directory is most useful after the crisis or for persistent, difficult situations. A HELP INDEX is provided that lists typical problems or crises. The purpose of the HELP INDEX is to connect Problems or Crises with Resources identified by a grid of KEY numbers designating helping agencies.

The Category letters or KEYS: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J--refer to the names of helping sources available in or near this area. Agencies providing resources are listed according to these KEY letters:

A=COMMUNITY AGENCIES Press for A KEYS
B=LOCAL RESOURCES Press for B KEYS
C=ELDERLY SERVICES Press for C KEYS
D=POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS Press for D KEYS
E=FOOD AND CLOTHES Press for E KEYS
F=HEALTH CARE Press for F KEYS
G=RELIGIOUS ORG. Press for G KEYS
H=OTHER SUPPORT Press for H KEYS
I=HOTLINES Press for I KEYS
J=IMMIGRANT NEEDS Press for J KEYS

For example, D3 means the Acton Police Department. The HELP INDEX suggests that for a crisis in Acton requiring police assistance, the telephone number 911 as listed in D3 should be called. For a problem relating to elderly persons in Acton the HELP INDEX suggests calling C1, the Acton Council on Aging. To keep the HELP INDEX from getting too cluttered only a few of the Agency Resources are entered. The KEYs listed will generally send you in the right direction and other agencies in that KEY might be helpful too.

FIRST -- FIND PREFERRED KEY X FROM HELP INDEX BELOW. THEN "PRESS for the X KEYS" FROM LIST ABOVE.

To find the telephone numbers of Agencies in all KEYs and for listings turn to -- BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF EMERGENCY RESOURCES AND AGENCIES -- for details. Agencies are listed by name and generally include telephone numbers or e-mail addresses. Brief information is provided on each Agency usually according to this format:

KEY - NAME OF RESOURCE
Location:
Suggested contact:
Telephone number(s) or Internet addresses:
Kind of resource and cost:
Services provided:

Read the summary of the services provided and choose the one that seems most appropriate. By telephoning or using the contacts suggested, usually some help and support can be reached quickly.

Major problems or emergency categories are listed alphabetically. Related services or help are listed under each major heading. Help resources are referred to with KEYS A to J where agencies for appropriate care may be found.