Community resource guide

Life-and-death emergencies

Call 911 if your life, or someone else’s life, is in danger.

Arizona behavioral health crisis line

• Call 1-844-534-4673 or 1-844-534-HOPE
• Text HOPE to 4HOPE (44673)

Other crisis lines

Arizona lines

• Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Community: 1-800-259-3449
• Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432
• San Carlos Apache Reservation: 1-866-495-6735
• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation: 480-461-8888 
• San Lucy District of the Tohono O’odham Nation: 480-461-8888 
• Tohono O’odham Nation: 1-844-423-8759 
• Pascua Yaqui Tribe: Tucson 520-591-7206; Guadalupe 480-736-4943 
• White Mountain Apache Tribe: 928-338-4811 
• Navajo Nation: 928-551-0508
• Teen Lifeline phone or text: 602-248-TEEN (8336)

National lines

• National suicide prevention hotline: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255
• National crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1

Learn more about help for a behavioral health crisis. Or learn how to make a safety plan.

2-1-1

2-1-1 Arizona is an info and referral service that links people and their families to state services. The line is open every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. When you call 2-1-1 or visit 2-1-1 online, you can get help with:

• Food
• Rent 
• Utilities: help from SRP and APS
• Other things

You can also visit the state of Arizona website for agencies, services and more.

Families

• Family Involvement Center (FIC)
• Raising Special Kids

Peers

• Hope Lives - Vive La Esperanza
• Peer support groups (no charge)
• Recovery Empowerment Network (REN)
• Stand Together And Recover (STAR)

Refugees

• Refugee & Asylee Mentorship Program (RAMP)

• Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation: Provides quality, affordable housing and supportive services for people with behavioral health needs or others with housing challenges.
• Arizona Center for Disability Law - Mental Health: Advocates for the legal rights of people with disabilities to get access to services and move toward independence. 
• Arizona Department of Health Services: Provides info and resources for opioid prevention.
• Arizona’s Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA): Promotes recovery, resiliency, and wellness for people with mental health and substance use challenges. 
• Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Helps people who have disabilities get access to employment and more economic independence.
• Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition: Promotes awareness, intervention and action to help change conditions that result in suicide. 
• CHEEERS Recover Center: Provides resources that help people affected by behavioral health conditions to live a healthy and meaningful life.
• Copa Health: Provides info and resources to anyone living with a mental illness, their family members, friends and providers.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Provides hope, help, support and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Uses approved medicine and behavioral therapies, like counseling to treat substance use disorders (SUDs).
• Mental Health America of Arizona: Promotes the mental health and well-being of all Arizonans through education, advocacy and public policy.
• Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID): Helps improve the behavioral health and wellness of children and youth through a family-centered approach.
• NAMI Arizona (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Serves people affected by mental illness to improve their quality of life and achieve recovery.
• Partnership to End Addiction: Helps people with addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Federal department that works to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities.
• Substance Abuse Coalition Leaders of Arizona: Helps communities address and prevent youth substance abuse.

Learn more about substance use disorders. You can also learn about suicide prevention or how to make a safety plan.

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the benefits page of your health plan to learn about behavioral health services.

Grants for mental and behavioral health treatment

Federal and state governments set aside money for people who don’t have health insurance. You can learn more about these grants:

• Behavioral health in schools - Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund (CBHSF): Offers counseling for mental and behavioral health issues.
• Caring for our Phoenix community (ARPA): Offers behavioral health services through the City of Phoenix.
• Mental health block grant (MHBG): Provides care and treatment for mental health.
• State opioid response (SOR) grant: Provides care and treatment for opioid and stimulant use disorders.
• Substance abuse block grant (SABG): Provides care and treatment of substance use disorders.
• Substance use disorder services (SUDS) fund: Provides treatment or recovery services for SUDs.

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the benefits page of your health plan to learn more about treatment for mental and behavioral health.

• Arizona Department of Economic Security - Family Caregiver Support  
• Mental Health America - mental health resources for caregivers 
• USA.gov caregiver support
• AARP Caregiving
• Trualta: Provides no cost training and resources to help families build caregiving skills.

Adoptive, foster and kinship families

• 2-1-1 Arizona: Info and referral service that links people and their families to state services. 
• A Mighty Change of Heart: Provides duffle bags to children in Arizona entering the foster system.
• AHCCCS Resources for Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Families: Provides resources for foster, kinship and adoptive families.
• Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents: An organization of foster and adoptive parents who volunteer to help other foster and adoptive parents thrive.
• Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation: Awards grants to children in the Arizona foster system to give them access to the everyday, fun activities they deserve.
• Arizona Helping Hands: Offers a wide range of essential and supportive needs for children in foster care.
• Birth to Five Helpline: Free support services for all Arizona families with young children, as well as parents-to-be. 
• First Star ASU Academy: Offers a college prep program for high school foster youth.
• Helen’s Hope Chest: Offers essential needs for children in foster care, like clothing, school supplies and other basic needs, free of cost.
• Jose’s Closet: Offers essential needs for children in foster care, like clothing and shoes, toys and games, books, baby equipment, strollers and more.
• Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID): Helps improve the behavioral health and wellness of children and youth through a family-centered approach.

Are you a Mercy Care member? Visit your health plan’s home page under “Benefits.” This is where you can learn more about adoptive, foster and kinship services. 

Healthy children

The Birth to Five Helpline is a free service for all Arizona families with young children, as well as parents-to-be. You can get answers to your questions about babies, toddlers or preschoolers.

You can talk with an early childhood specialist. Call 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday. You can also leave a voicemail or ask your question online anytime.

Our pregnancy page also has tips and info for parents-to-be. Or check these resources:

• Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
• Family Involvement Center
• Parent info
• Raising Special Kids
• Reach Family Services Inc./Alcanza Servisios de Familia
• Safe to Sleep
• Sesame Street in Communities
• Strong Families AZ

Mental health for children

• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Your Roadmap to Children's Behavioral Health Care - English (PDF)

Pregnancy and childbirth

• Arizona Statewide Taskforce on Preventing Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Other Drugs
• CDC’s Milestone Tracker App
• First Things First
• Safe Kids Worldwide

Visit our pregnancy page to learn more.

As things change with COVID-19, we want to make sure you get the care you need, when you need it. You can find tips to stay safe, as well as where to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Visit our COVID-19 page.

• Alzheimer's Association: Advocates for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease. Advances research toward treatment, prevention and a cure.
• Tobacco & Chronic Disease: Provides info about tobacco and chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung disease, cancer, diabetes and asthma.

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the benefits page of your health plan to learn more about care management.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Child and Family Advisory Partnership (CFAP) Meeting 
Get connected to what’s happening in the local behavioral health community. You can talk directly with providers. And share your ideas to improve the children’s system of care. Enjoy dinner and meet other families. We provide Spanish interpretation and child watch. To register:

Call 602-288-0155 

Email us

Check our events page and Facebook page for upcoming meetings.

ASD Forum for Children, Youth and Caregivers 
Learn about the behavioral health services for children and youth at risk for or diagnosed with ASD. These services are for their families and caretakers, too. We’ll talk about finding the right care and getting around barriers to care. You can learn about getting support for you and your family. And share your ideas to improve the system of care. Enjoy dinner and meet other families. We provide Spanish interpretation.

Check our events page and Facebook page for upcoming meetings.

More ASD resources

• Arizona Autism Coalition
• Arizona Autism Support
• Arizona Department of Education
• Autism Society of America (Arizona chapters)
• Autism Society of Greater Phoenix
• Autism Speaks
• Autism Speaks Transition Toolkit
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders
• Family Center for Autism
• HealthyChildren.org
• Raising Special Kids
• National Autism Center
• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)
• Valley of the Sun Autism Network

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the benefits page of your health plan to learn more about autism spectrum disorder.

Disabilities

• Ability 360: Offers and promotes programs run by and for people with disabilities to address needs and barriers in the community.
• Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities Foundation (AID): Aims and advocates for accessibility in the United States. 
• Area Agencies on Aging: Offers programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people who live in their regions. They advocate, plan, coordinate, develop and deliver services for seniors, people with disabilities and their families and caregivers.
• Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Provides resources for people with hearing loss to improve quality of life.
• Arizona Disability Benefits 101: Helps people with disabilities understand how to apply and get the most out of benefits.
• Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP): Offers a statewide system of services and supports for families of babies and toddlers with disabilities or delays. The age range is from birth to three years of age.
• AZLINKS.gov: Offers help and info on aging and disability and connection with community agencies for help.
• Developmental Disabilities Terminology: Lists common developmental disability terms and acronyms.
• Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona: Connects people to treatment, support and resources.
• Family Caregiver Alliance: Helps improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care.
• Feeding Matters: Offers resources and support for pediatric feeding disorder (PFD).
• Navigating the System: A Guide for Individuals and Families (PDF): Helps explain benefits and services within the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
• Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona: Provides encouragement and support to families who have children with special needs.
• Raising Special Kids: Provides support, training, info and help so families can become effective advocates for their children.
• The ARC of Arizona: Advocates for the rights and full community participation of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• AZ Aging: Offers programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people who live in their regions. They advocate, plan, coordinate, develop and deliver services for seniors, people with disabilities and their families and caregivers.
• Arizona Department of Health: Arizona site for all state health resources.
• Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP): Offers a statewide system of services and supports for families of babies and toddlers with disabilities or delays. The age range is from birth to age 3.
• Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS): Arizona's Medicaid agency. Offers health care programs to people who live in Arizona. Members meet income and other requirements.
• AZLINKS.gov: Offers help and info on aging and disability and connection with community agencies for help.
• CDC Office of Minority Health: CDC site offering health info for racial and ethnic minorities.
• Health-e-Arizona PLUS: Offers a system to apply for AHCCCS health insurance, KidsCare, nutrition and cash help benefits. You can also connect to the federal insurance marketplace.
• Office of Minority Health: Federal site offering health info for racial and ethnic minorities.
• Office of Refugee Health: Federal site offering health info for refugees in the U.S.
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC): Offers services and community support for women, children and families. You can now attend some WIC@Home appointments from home. Join other parents or caregivers on a video chat to share tips on nutrition or breastfeeding. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer with a webcam.
• Women’s health: Offers info about screenings like the well-woman checkup and other things to do for health and well-being as you age.

Strong Families AZ is a network of free home-visiting programs that:

• Help families raise healthy children ready to succeed in school and life
• Focus on pregnant woman and families with children from birth to age 5

Arizona Health Start: For women who are pregnant or have a child under age 2 

If you’re pregnant or a mom facing challenges, know that we can help. Home visitors can connect you with groups that provide health care, education, parenting resources, and help applying for other programs. We’ll get to know you and your family, so we can help you get the resources you need. We also understand what you’re going through. We’ve helped lots of families just like yours.

Head Start: For families with children under age 5 

Head Start (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start (pregnant women and children from birth to age 3) have options:

• Center Base
• Home Base
• Combination (Home & Center) 
• Family Child Care

Each program has a personal approach to high-quality services for pregnant women with low incomes and children from birth to age 5. Families get support and help from Head Start staff to become self-sufficient.

Healthy Families Arizona: For families with a baby under age 3 months

Having a baby can feel overwhelming. It’s OK to ask for help if you need it. This free program helps people become the best parents they can be. A home visitor will get to know you and connect you with the services you need. To get help, contact any of the service providers where you live.

Nurse-Family Partnership: For first-time mothers less than 28 weeks pregnant

Children don’t come with instructions. So it’s normal for new mothers to face challenges and doubt. In times like these, you can get help. This is a community health care program that connects you with a nurse home visitor. During these visits, you’ll learn how to best care for your child.

Parents As Teachers: For families with a child on the way or under age 5 

Children have so much potential. As a parent, you get to be their first teacher. That’s because most brain development happens in the first few years of life. You can make a difference, and we’ll show you how. Our home visitors will give you the right resources for your child’s stage of development. You’ll create a stronger relationship with your child. And help prepare them for success in school.

Family Spirit: For Native American families with children under age 3 

This program offers parenting help to Native parents and families. Are you pregnant or a parent to a child under age 3? If you’d like to develop your parenting skills, this program is for you. You’ll help your child develop emotional strength and physical well-being. You can also learn how to build a strong, healthy family connected to your Native heritage.

High Risk Perinatal/Newborn Intensive Care Program: For families with newborns who’ve been in intensive care

This statewide system of services aims to lower rates of death in moms and babies. It provides a safety net for Arizona families. It also ensures the right level of care at birth and support for the child’s development needs.

Safecare: For families with a child under age 5

Highly trained home visitors support you and your family on your journey to success. You’ll receive weekly visits in parent-child interaction, health and home safety. You’ll build on and strengthen your skills through interactive sessions.

Parents Partners Plus

Trusted nonprofit and advocacy groups can help give your child the best chance at a happy, healthy future. We can connect you with resources for help with your questions and needs with:

• Breastfeeding
• Postpartum (after birth) depression
• Parenting

Birth to Five Helpline: Free for all Arizona families with young children, as well as parents-to-be

Get answers to your questions about babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Call 1-877-705-KIDS (5437) to speak with an early childhood specialist Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also leave a voicemail or submit your question online anytime.

Fussy Baby Program

This is part of the Birth to Five Helpline. The program provides support for parents with concerns about their baby’s behavior during the first year of life. We’ll work with you to find ways to soothe, care for and enjoy your baby. We’ll also offer ways to reduce stress while supporting you as a parent.

First Things First: 602-771-5100 or 1-877-803-7234

This program partners with families and communities to help young children get ready for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Southwest Human Development: 602-266-5976

This program works with families and parents from pregnancy through the first 5 years of life. 

Maricopa County Lead Safe Phoenix Partnership

This program provides services to families enrolled in the Lead Safe Phoenix program:

Home visits

• Lead blood testing for children under age 6 
• Environmental home review to enhance the health and safety of the children in the home
• Education on the prevention of lead poisoning
• Screening and referral to community resources as needed

Community education and outreach

• Education about lead hazards and lead poisoning prevention to pregnant women and households with children under six
• Education for home visitors 

Many people have quit using tobacco through the Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHline) and tobacco cessation medicine. Coaching and medicine can help you double your chances of success.

The ASHLine can also help you cut back on your use of tobacco. Or learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from second-hand smoke. Your primary care physician (PCP) can also help. 

Here are some resources with no cost, including Quit Coaching.

• ASHLine: 1-800-556-6222
• Tobacco Free Arizona
• Smokefree.gov

• Arizona@work: A statewide workforce development network
• Arizona Department of Economic Security: All kinds of employment resources
• AZ Disability Benefits 101 (DB 101): Learn how work and benefits go together
• Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and RSA programs 1-800-563-1221
• Maricopa County.gov

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the benefits page of your health plan to learn more about jobs.

• 211 Community Information and Referral Services
• Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation (AHCCCS Housing Program AHP)
• Arizona Housing Coalition
• Chicanos Por La Causa
• City of Chandler Housing Authority
• City of Glendale Housing Authority
• City of Mesa Housing Authority 
• City of Peoria Housing Authority
• City of Phoenix Housing Authority
• City of Scottsdale Housing Authority
• City of Tempe Housing Authority
• Community Bridges
• COPA Health
• Federally-funded HUD programs
• Housing Authority of Maricopa County
• Lifewell Behavioral Wellness
• Maricopa Association of Governments
• Native American Connections
• Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Programs
• Resilient Health
• Senior Housing-City of Phoenix
• Shelters (includes some halfway houses)
• Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

• Arizona@work: A statewide workforce development network
• Arizona Department of Economic Security: All kinds of employment resources
• AZ Disability Benefits 101 (DB 101): Learn how work and benefits go together
• Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and RSA programs 1-800-563-1221
• Maricopa County.gov

Are you a Mercy Care member? Check the "more benefits" page of your health plan to learn more about jobs.

Check these resources for help with language:

• AZ Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Office of Refugee Health

• National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care (PDF)

• National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care (PDF)

• NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (PDF)

You can learn more about advance directives from the:

• Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry
• Arizona End of Life Care Partnership 
• Arizona Attorney General web site article on life care planning  

You can also read our article about advance directives.

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has resources for suicide prevention, as well as help for specific groups:

• LGBTQ: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
• Age 65 and older: Area Agency on Aging has an ElderVention® Program®, including a 24-hour senior help line: 602-264-4357
• Military/veterans: Call 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or text 838255
• Teens: Call or text 602-248-8336 in Maricopa County or 1-800-248-8336 outside Maricopa County
• American Indians and Alaska Natives: Text NATIVE or INDIGENOUS to 741741 
• Public safety and first responders: Call 206-459-3020

You can also learn about support after a suicide happens.

Here are more links to info about suicide prevention: 

• Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988
• Zero suicide (PDF)

• AHCCCCS tribal relations
• American Indian Health Program
• Native Americans for Community Action
• Office of Tribal Relations resources
• Phoenix Indian Medical Center
• Tucson Indian Center

Questions about tribal relations? You can email:

• Betty John, Tribal Liaison for Mercy Care CHP 
• Faron Jack, Tribal Relations Administrator for all other Mercy Care plans

Rally Point Military Navigator Program - Arizona 24/7 Hotline: 1-855-725-5948

• Helps returning veterans figure out health care system.
• Ensures veterans’ physical and behavioral health needs are met. La Frontera-EMPACT offers Rally Point Arizona Military Navigator services. 
• Provides service members, veterans, and their family members with crisis prevention, intervention, and peer-based support and resources. 
• Has a Crisis Mobile Team with veterans and bachelor- or master-level clinicians on the team of behavioral health providers. During a crisis, the team can go out into the community. This “vet-to-vet" approach is invaluable, with peer support services from a veteran who has shared lived experiences. It’s a vital part of working with veterans in acute crisis situations.
• Can help veterans experiencing homelessness find affordable housing and provide support with:
  • Lease processing
  • Managing their relationship with their landlord
  • Getting basic household goods
  • Peer support when they’re moving into permanent housing

The goal is to help the veterans keep their homes and support them on their path to recovery and health and wellness. Rally Point’s navigator program has served more than 1,000 vets. The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) should coordinate all veterans’ services, such as housing.

More resources for veterans

• Arizona behavioral health crisis line: 1-844-534-4673 or 1-844-534 HOPE.
• Arizona Coalition for Military Families: Provides the right resources at the right time for Arizona’s service members, veterans and their families.
• Arizona Department of Veteran Services: Helps connect veterans with their VA benefits.
• Arizona Department of Veteran Services Veterans Court: Helps rehabilitate and restore veterans as active, contributing members of their community.
• Arizona vet center locations: Provides sites for VA benefits and health care.
• Be Connected: Offers support and resources for members, veterans and their family members in Arizona. Support line: 1-866-4AZ-VETS.
• Maricopa County AZ Veteran Resource Portal: Provides info on programs, services and resources. 
• Mesa Vets Connect: Provides info on programs, services and resources for Mesa residents.
• National Resource Directory: Connects wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans as well as their families and caregivers, to programs and services that support them.
• National Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, option 1.
• Phoenix VA Health Care System: Serves veterans in central Arizona at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center and 10 community-based outpatient VA clinics.
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF Program): Connects veterans with the Social Security Administration.
• The Veterans Directory: Created by veterans, for veterans and supporters to provide a list of services.
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Allows people to access and manage their VA benefits and health care.
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, My Health-e-Vet: Provides tips and tools to help veterans partner with their health care team for better health. 
• U.S. Vets: Provides services to homeless and at-risk veterans.