Indiana Family Helpline
1-800-433-0746 Voice
1-866-275-1274 TTY / TDD
THE INDIANA FAMILY HELPLINE (IFHL) WAS LAUNCHED IN MAY 1988, AS A FEDERAL MANDATE OF THE TITLE V MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT. THE 1-800-433-0746 STATEWIDE TOLL FREE NUMBER WAS DESIGNATED TO ASSIST IN PROMOTING MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH SERVICES, WIC SERVICES, AND SUPPORT OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF INDIANA.
IN 2008 THE IFHL RESPONDED TO: 29,805 INCOMING CALLS, 1,295 ADVOCACY CALLS, RESULTING IN 75,655 REFERRALS.
THE IFHL IS A HELPLINE, NOT A HOTLINE. THERE ARE BILINGUAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS ON STAFF. IN ADDITION, IT’S COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE IS ALSO STAFFED BY CARING DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO ASSIST IN PROMOTING MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH, WIC, DENTAL PROVIDERS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
THE STAFF IS COMMITTED TO ACCESSING HOOSIER HEALTHWISE SERVICE PROVIDERS. IT’S PRIMARY GOAL IS OBTAINING EARLY PRENATAL CARE AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, LOCATING SHELTER, FOOD, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, AND PLACING CALLERS IN CONTACT WITH LITERACY, VOCATIONAL AND GED PROGRAMS, AND MUCH MORE. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INFORMATION, REFERRAL (S), FOLLOW-UP (S), AND ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE AS NEEDED.
THE IFHL COORDINATES WITH PROGRAM AREAS WITHIN THE INDIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BY PROVIDING A POINT OF ENTRY FOR MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO ACCESS INFORMATION, SPECIFIC CAMPAIGNS, e.g. IN-SHAPE INDIANA, WIC REFERRALS, BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER PROGRAMS, FOLIC ACID INFORMATION, AND LEAD SCREENING INFORMATION.
IN ADDITION, THE IFHL COORDINATES WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES, SUCH AS FSSA, MEDICAID AND HOOSIER HEALTHWISE, BY PROVIDING CALLERS WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND HEALTH CARE. THE IFHL ALSO COORDINATES WITH THE INDIANA PERINATAL NETWORK, INC, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ENCOURAGING EARLY PRENATAL CARE FOR ALL WOMEN BY PROCESSING REQUESTS FOR THE BABY FIRST-RIGHT FROM THE START PACKETS.
ANOTHER OF THE IFHL’S GOALS IS TO COORDINATE WITH OTHER STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE THE MOST CURRENT, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
OUR DAYS AND TIMES OF OPERATION ARE: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7:30AM–5PM. VOICEMAIL IS ACCESSIBLE WHEN THE STAFF IS ASSISTING OTHER CALLERS, AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS, AND AGENCY HOLIDAYS.
THE IFHL WEB ADDRESS IS http://www.in.gov/isdh/21047.htm.
IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS DOCUMENT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 317-233-1230.
SINCERELY.
MARY G. BISBECOS, M.S., C.I.R.S.
SUPERVISOR
