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| Free Gov't Services |
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Matthew Lesko Seminar
April 29, 2008
5:00 to 6:00 pm EST
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| Seminar Notes |
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Free Gov't Services |
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Free Mortgage and Debt Counseling Services In San Diego |
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| ACORN |
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Intake: bring in documents related to financial problem (you can call ahead and check what you need).
They FAX to Chicago headquarters if client eligible, ACORN contacts lender.
Time: walk in during business hours; FAX/intervention takes about 2 weeks. |
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| Altria |
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Intake: "counselors busy" answering tape; leave a detailed message, they call back. |
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| CCCS/Moneymanagement.org |
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Intake: can be done by phone (have documents ready to refer to, but they do not need docs.
CCCS can FAX any documents they need filled out. Call 24/7
Personal appointment: call 800#, they have several offices, will direct client to closest. |
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| Neighborhood House Assn. |
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Office hours: 8-5. Tape said they were closed for 3/31, reopening 4/1--probably out to lunch. |
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| San Diego Loan Counseling |
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bring in relevant documents; can call them for a list of what you need to bring.
Intake: make appointment--est. 2-3 weeks after documents submitted; calendar tight now. |
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| Urban League |
New phone number: 619-263-3115 for your list
Long phone tree with other full numbers; hard to find out where to call; not for the impatient. |
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| Springboard |
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Intake: ask for Housing & Foreclosure Prevention dept. All work done by phone.
They take info from relevant documents, contact mortgage lender, lender contacts client. No further services. |
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Free & Low Cost Business Plan Preparation in St. Louis, MO. |
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The University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) Small Business and Technology Center is an affiliate of both
the UMKC's Bloch School of Business and Public Administration and the Missouri Small Business & Technology
Development Center. It's part of a nationwide network of SBTDC (Small Business Technology Development Center)
programs.The Center was founded to provide small businesses and technology venture firms in the Kansas City region
with the analysis, consultation and training support they need to confidently grow and develop. |
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SBTDC management counselors can walk you through the proper planning of your business plan. Training seminars
targeting management and other issues are also available. With this assistance, you can formulate a strategy to help
your company flourish. Services provided by SBTDC are provided at very little or no cost. |
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SBTDC counselors work more as a teammate than a professor, providing practical, hands-on training for small
businesses. Skilled professionals offer experience in many areas, including marketing and sales, accounting
financial analysis and cost control, personnel, inventory control, business start-up or acquisition and business
liquidation or sale. Disclosure of your financial or other proprietary information to the SBTDC helps us provide
the most effective assistance possible. All information you provide is held in complete confidence. |
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| State: Missouri |
| Age: All |
| Incomes Up To (Approx): no limits |
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Subject Category: Education, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning |
| Money Type: Free/Low Cost Services |
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Contact: Small Business & Technology Development Center, 4747 Troost Ave, Ste. 104, Kansas City, MO 64110. |
Email: umkcsbtdc@umkc.edu
Website:
http://www.entrepreneurship.bloch.umkc.edu/sbtdc |
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government
to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive
enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the United States. Through an extensive network
of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people
throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. |
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Nearly every organization to offer free or low cost business plans has an affiliation of one form or another with
the SBA. Loans, grants, contract opportunities and free online courses are just a few of the services they provide.
Not only do they assist you in starting your own business, but also stay with you every step of the way to do
what they can to ensure your success. |
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For more information on the Small Business Association, visit their website at: |
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http://www.sba.gov/services/index.html. |
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State: Missouri
Age: All
Incomes Up To (Approx): no limit
Subject Category: Government, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning
Money Type: Free/Low Cost Services
Contact: Kansas City District Office of the SBA 1000 Walnut, Suite 500, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Phone: (816) 426-4900
Website:
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/mo/kansas/index.html |
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The Missouri Women's Business Center is a program of GO Connection. GO Connection is a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization that specializes in building financially sound businesses across each stage of business development - start-up, management, and expansion. GO Connection promotes small business success through financial education and access to capital for existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. |
While Go Connection is a resource for all, the Women's Business Center has as its goal, to create an equal opportunity for the success of all women entrepreneurs by providing special services for low- to moderate-income women and women who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Services for new small businesses include Advising and the Peer Mentoring Roundtable. All services provided are free, but donations are graciously accepted. |
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State: Missouri
Age: All
Incomes Up To (Approx): low-to-moderate
Subject Category: Education, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning
Money Type: Free/Low Cost Services
Additional Restrictions: Available to Women Only
Contact: Missouri Women’s Business Center,(WBC at Go Connection, Inc), 4747 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone: (816) 235-6146
Fax:(816) 235-6177
Email: jzimmerman@missouriwbc.com
Website: http://www.missouriwbc.com
Registration Website:http://missouriwbc.com/pages/orderform.html |
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Growth Opportunity Connection, Inc. (GO Connection) has been in existence since 1986 when it was created to help further entrepreneurship in Kansas City. Providing guidance to small business owners that seek financial wealth is our goal.
They are passionate about our client's successes and want our clients to be financially successful. Financial success can be defined in many different manners. We work with clients to assist them in determining their goals of financial success and help them form a plan for those goals to be met. GO Connection programs (such as One-on-One Advising and Mentor Roundtables) provide small business assistance of education, access to capital and mentoring.
GO Connection is dedicated to serving our clients and the community in order to enhance economic growth. Whether a person is thinking about starting a business or looking to grow that business, the GO Connection team is ready to help. |
State: Missouri
Age: Over the Age of 13
Incomes Up To (Approx): All
Subject Category: Non-Profit, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning
Money Type: Free Services
Contact: SCORE Resource Center, 4747 Troost Ave, Ste.128, Kansas City, MO 64110.
Phone: (816) 235-6146
Fax:(816) 235-6177
Website: http://www.goconnection.org |
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| Since 1964, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) has partnered up with the Small Business Administration to both mentor and assist those who own or would like to start their own small business. SCORE counselors are volunteers; either retired from or currently real world business professionals. The counselors are experts in such areas as accounting, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation.
The Kansas City Chapter is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who provide guidance and counseling to entrepreneurs in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. There is never a charge for confidential counseling or help with any matter, whether it’s developing your business plan, discussing a new idea, or tackling a new business problem, no matter how many sessions are needed to complete or resolve your situation. Follow-up visit are encouraged, as SCORE is sincerely interested in the growth of you and your new small business.
Counseling sessions normally occur at the SCORE Business Resource Center at the address below, but counseling can be arranged, by appointment, to be held at your place of business, or any other mutually agreeable place. |
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Age: All
Incomes Up To (Approx): no limit that we could find
Subject Category: Non-Profit, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning
Money Type: Free/Low Cost Services
Contact: Go Connection, 4747 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110.
Phone: (816) 235-6675
Fax:(816) 235-6590
Website: http://www.scorekc.org
Application Website: http://www.scorekc.org/requests.htm |
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| The Grace Hill Women’s Business Center (GHWBC) is located in the city of St. Louis. The project’s comprehensive regional scope includes St. Louis City and three counties. The WBC strives to be a centralized service stop for women, mainly African-American , to start or expand their small businesses. Long-term training for start-up and business expansion is provided in cooperation with the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In addition, the Grace Hill WBC offers one-on-one counseling, marketing and procurement assistance, computer training, loan packaging and micro-lending. A focal part of the center is outreach and marketing primarily to low and moderate income women who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged. |
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Age: All
Incomes Up To (Approx): low-to-moderate
Subject Category: Education, Mentoring, Business Assistance, Business Planning
Money Type: Free/Low Cost Services
Additional Restrictions: Available to Women only, primarily African American
Contact:Grace Hill Women's Business Center, Kristy L. Kight, Director, 2324 N Florissant Ave, St.Louis, MO 63106.
Phone:(314) 584-9840
Fax:(314) 584-6850
Email:kristyk@gracehill.org
Website: www.gracehill.org/wbc |
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SENIORS |
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Best Starting Places To Get Help |
| Eldercare Locator |
| The U.S. Administration on Aging offers this free service to older adult Americans and their caregivers to help them connect with available services. Eldercare Locator links older adults who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations. If you need help with any health related problem go to the web site and follow the directions or call a specialist. The web site is available in many different languages. Contact: 800-677-1116 www.eldercare.gov |
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She Got FREE Money and So Can YOU! |
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| We recently received an email from a Government Money Club member.Her name is Janie Tinnon and she wrote to tell us how she was able to get FREE MONEY by using the Government Money Club's website. |
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Interview with Janie Tinnon |
"When I was looking through the Government Money Club website, I saw an item about missing money and thought I'd check it out. I first put in my grandfather's name, and nothing came up. Then I thought what the heck, I will put in my name. I never thought I would find anything. The last time I was living in Las Vegas I was working for the Census Bureau. They had a check for me for $139. The Census had taken it out for what I think was part of their benefits package. I filled out all the paperwork, and sent it in. A week or so later I had a check for money I didn't even know about."
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Do YOU Have Free Money Waiting for You? |
You may not know it, but there may be money sitting and waiting for you in government offices. It may be because of an old utility deposit you forgot about or an IRS check that was sent to an old address. Find out if there is hidden money for you at these government offices: National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, P.O. Box 7156, Bismarck, ND 58507; www.unclaimed.org; contact the IRS at 800-829-1040; www.irs.gov; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, P.O. Box 23699, Washington, DC 20026; http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/comp/refunds/index.cfm; Veterans Affairs at 800-827-1000; www.va.gov; or Social Security at 800-772-1213; www.ssa.gov |
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SEPTIC TANKS |
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Help For Nags Head
The Nags Head, NC Septic Health Initiative provides free septic inspections, small low interest loans for repairs, provides assistance to make sure repairs are done properly, and teaches you how to main your septic system. Contact them at Septic Health Initiative, Nags Head Town Hall, P.O. Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959; 252-449-6047; http://www.townofnagshead.net/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC=
%7BF43EBE1E-2B2D-4F36-8182-0544F0BEEAD1%7D
Income: up to $100,000
State: NC
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Loan/Other
Contact: Contact them at Septic Health Initiative, Nags Head Town Hall, P.O. Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959; 252-449-6047;http://www.townofnagshead.net/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC= %7BF43EBE1E-2B2D-4F36-8182-0544F0BEEAD1%7D
Application: NA
Know Your System
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has a section titled “Your Septic System.” The Section describes how your septic system works, how they should be sited, and signs that your system may be failing. The resources they list are for Montana, but it gives you an idea of when you need to call in the troops. Check out the publication at http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/watersheds/
galsourcebook/gscbk12.html Your local Cooperative Extension Service should be able to provide you with more information. Your nearest office can be found at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/
Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Other
Contact:http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/watersheds/galsourcebook/gscbk12.html
Application: NA
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Free Tax Services |
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Don’t pay professional tax preparers money when you can have an income up to $35,000 or even more and get your taxes prepared for free. No matter what your income, check if the services in your area can help you. The service is called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). To find your local VITA program contact your local public library or your Congressman’s office at www.congress.org . You can also try the IRS hotline at 1-800-TAX-1040. Also see http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,
id=119845,00.html |
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Free Legal Help With Tax Problems |
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| Families can have incomes up to $50,000, or more even, and get free layers to solve your tax problem. There are over 115 Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) that will help you with legal problems for free. You should check the availability of services in your area no matter what your income is. To find a clinic near you contact your local public library or your Congressman’s office at www.congress.org. You can also try the IRS hotline at 1-800-TAX-1040. See also http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/pub._4134-04.pdf |
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Free Tax Help For Seniors |
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| With a grant from the IRS, the AARP organizes over 8,000 “Tax Counseling For The Elderly” sites around the country that specialize in providing free tax help for people 60 and over. They may also provide free help for others, so it can’t hurt to ask. . To find a site near you, call the TCE hotline at 1-800-829-1040 or the AARP Tax Aide hotline at 1-888-227-7669 or visit http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/pub._4134-04.pdf or http://www.aarp.org/money/taxaide/. You can also contact your local public library or your Congressman’s office at www.congress.org. |
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Government Will Fight The IRS For Your |
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| If you have attempted to deal with an IRS problem unsuccessfully, you should contact your Taxpayer Advocate. They will represent your interests and concerns within the IRS by protecting your rights and resolving problems that have not been fixed through normal channels. They can clear-up problems that resulted form previous contacts and ensure that your case is given a complete and impartial review. Call 1-877-774778 or www.irs.gov/advocate
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Information Clearinghouses Offer FREE Knowledge |
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FREE SEMINARS ON FOR NON-PROFITS TO FIND MONEY
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FREE CLASSES ON HOW TO START A BUSINESS
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FREE TERMPAPERS
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FREE VOLUNTEERING MOOSE CROSSING GUARD IN YOSEMINITE
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FIND A LOST LOVED ONE
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FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT
800-411-1222
www.cc.nih.gov
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MEDICAL INFO
800-336-4797
WWW.HEALTH.GOV/NHIC
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HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING
800-677-1116
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FREE AUTO REPAIRS
888-327-4236
www.odi.nhts.dot.gov/lvoq
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BEAT A SPEEDING TICKET
Nat. Institute of Standards and Technology
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Animal Welfare Information Center
National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10301 Baltimore Blvd., 5th Floor
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-6212; Fax: 301-504-7125
Email: awic@nal.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/awic |
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The Animal Welfare Information Center is the focal point for all aspects of animal welfare. They have information on the care, handling, and management of animals used in research; training guides and manuals for animal care personnel; ethical issues; animal behavior; and pain control. They have a publications list of free fact sheets, bibliographies, and other resources. They can answer questions such as:
1) What information is there on the ethical and moral issues relating to animals and the philosophy of animal rights?
2) What alternatives are there to the use of live animals in research?
3) What videos exist on the care of animals?
4) What are some of the legislation regarding animal welfare?
5) What are some of the resources available regarding the raising of poultry?
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* Aquaculture Information Center
National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10301 Baltimore Blvd.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-5724; Fax: 301-504-6409
Email: afsaqua@nal.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua.htm |
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The Aquaculture Information Center collects information on the culture of aquatic plants and animals in freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. Examples include: catfish farming, oyster culture, salmon ranching, and trout farming. They have a publications list of free fact sheets, bibliographies, and other resources. They can answer questions such as:
1) How do you start a catfish farm?
2) What are the effects of sodium, cadmium, and lead on aquatic plants?
3) What types of algae are edible?
4) What is involved in raising snails?
5) What can be done to stop the pollution of freshwater environments? |
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Food and Nutrition Information Center
Agriculture Research Services
National Agriculture Library, Room 304
10301 Baltimore Blvd.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-5719; Fax: 301-504-6409
Email: fnic@nal.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic |
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The Food and Nutrition Information Center serves many types of users including educators, students, researchers, and consumers. Reference services are provided. Subjects covered include human nutrition research and education, diet and diet related diseases, food habits, food composition, nutrition education, and more. The Center offers a variety of services which include answers to specific questions, lending books and audiovisuals, and providing computerized literature searches. A publications list is available, many of which are free. They can answer questions such as:
1) What studies exist on the effects of the school breakfast program?
2) What information can you provide to parents concerned about their overweight children?
3) Do you have information on anorexia nervosa?
4) Is it dangerous to consume caffeine while pregnant?
5) Are canned peaches as nutritious as fresh? |
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* Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (Horticulture)
AFSIC
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10301 Baltimore Blvd., Room 304
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-6559; Fax: 301-504-6409
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic |
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The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center covers technical horticultural or botanical questions, economic botany, wild plants of possible use, herbs, bonsai, and floriculture. They can answer questions such as:
1) How can you grow lavender commercially as a source of essential oils?
2) How do you grow and dry herbs?
3) How much would landscaping improve the value of a home?
4) Which plants can be used for medicinal purposes?
5) How can I control garden insects without using chemical sprays? |
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* Meat and Poultry Hotline
Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250-3700
888-674-6854; Fax: 202-690-2859
www.fsis.usda.gov |
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The Meat and Poultry Hotline takes calls from consumers regarding cases of meat or poultry food poisoning or complaints about meat or poultry spoilage due to improper packaging or processing. They can also provide you with health oriented information on safe handling and storage of meats and poultry. They can answer questions such as:
1) What should be done during a power outage?
2) What is salmonella and how can people be protected?
3) What are the different types of foodborne illnesses?
4) How long should you cook poultry?
5) What information should be included on meat and poultry labels and what does it mean? |
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* Organic Gardening
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Blvd., Room 304
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
301-504-6559; Fax: 301-504-6409
Email: afsic@nal.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic |
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The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has free information sheets on organic gardening, composting, and recycling. They can answer questions such as:
1) What plants should be planted near each other to deter pests?
2) What are the dangers of pesticides?
3) Who can I talk to regarding composting and recycling?
4) What are the advantages of organic fertilizers?
5) What is required to maintain a lawn? |
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* Seafood Hotline
Office of Seafood
Food and Drug Administration
200 C St., SW
Washington, DC 20204
800-SAFEFOOD; Fax: 202-401-3532
Email: oco@fdacf.sw.dhhs.gov
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood1.html |
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The Seafood Hotline can provide consumers with information on how to buy and use seafood products, including storing and handling of seafood, and questions on seafood labeling and nutrition. The Hotline has many free publications on a variety of seafood issues. They can answer questions such as:
1) Can fish be kept frozen for a year?
2) How do you know if a seafood vendor is reputable?
3) What are the dangers of eating raw shellfish?
4) What information is available on canned tuna?
5) What are some seafood safety concerns for people with particular medical conditions? |
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Central and Eastern Europe Business Information
U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
14th and Constitution Ave., NW
Room 7414
Washington, DC 20230
202-482-2645; 800-USA-TRADE; Fax: 202-482-4473
www.ita.doc.gov |
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The Trade Information Center can provide information on business conditions in Eastern European countries, and on emerging trade and investment opportunities in those countries. It also serves as a source of information on U.S. government programs supporting private enterprise, trade, and investment in Eastern Europe. The Center also serves as a referral point for voluntary assistance programs. A variety of printed materials are available directly from the Center, as are bibliographies on data available from other sources. Most of the services are free of charge. They can answer questions such as:
1) What are the export procedures for a particular product to Poland?
2) What are the population, economic, commercial, and trade statistics on Romania?
3) Is there a list of contacts for export information in Bulgaria?
4) What political and economic issues should be considered when investing in businesses in Eastern Europe?
5) How can I advertise directly in Eastern European countries? |
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* Export Country Experts
U.S. Foreign and Commercial Services
Export Promotion Services
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2810
Washington, DC 20230
202-482-3809;800-USA-TRADE; Fax: 202-482-5819
www.exports.gov/comm_svc |
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The Country Desk Officers at the U.S. Department of Commerce can provide businesses with information on a market, company, or most any other aspect of commercial life in a particular country. These specialists can look at the needs of an individual U.S. firm wishing to sell in a particular country in the full context of that country's overall economy, trade policies, and political situation, and also in light of U.S. policies toward that country. Desk officers keep up to date on the economic and commercial conditions in their assigned countries. Each desk officer collects information on the country's regulations, tariffs, business practices, economic and political developments, trade data and trends, market size, and growth. They have free reports and other information available or they can refer callers to other country specialists. They can answer questions such as:
1) How can I expand my business through a foreign franchise?
2) How can I reduce my company's distribution and transportation costs overseas?
3) What type of export opportunities exist for computer manufacturing companies who want to expand to Germany?
4) What are some recent foreign labor trends in Japan?
5) Which markets are growing the fastest overseas? |
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Exporter's Hotline
Trade Information Center
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
800-USA-TRADE; Fax: 202-482-4473; TDD: 800-TDD-TRADE
www.ita.doc.gov/ |
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The Trade Information Center is a comprehensive one-stop shop for information on U.S. government programs and activities that support exporting efforts. This hotline is staffed by trade specialists who can provide information on seminars and conferences, overseas buyers and representatives, overseas events, export financing, technical assistance, and export counseling. They also have access to the National Trade Data Bank, which provides basic export information, country-specific information, and industry-specific information. They can provide a great deal of free assistance, but there is a fee charged for data bank searches and other technical assistance. They can answer questions such as:
1) What countries are increasing or decreasing imports of a particular product, and at what rates?
2) What 10 countries are the top importers of a specific product?
3) How can a businessman meet prescreened prospects who are interested in a product or service?
4) How can a business assess their export potential?
5) How can a businessman obtain background data on potential foreign partners? |
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Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Communications and Public Affairs Department
1200 K St., NW, Suite 240
Washington, DC 20005-4026
202-326-4040, 800-400-7242; Fax: 202-326-4042
www.pbgc.gov |
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The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation works to ensure the solvency and viability of company-sponsored pension plans. They can provide you with information and publications on pension plans, as well as information pertaining to laws and regulations on pensions. They can answer questions such as:
1) What is the federal pension law?
2) What are pensions plans and how do they operate?
3) What information on plans is a company required to give to members?
4) What are the rights and options of participants?
5) What is the employer's responsibilities regarding pension plans? |
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* HUD USER (Housing)
P.O. Box 23268
Washington, DCC 20026
800-245 2691; Fax: 301-519-5767
Email: huduser@aspensys.com
www.huduser.org |
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HUD USER, a service of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is an information source for housing and community development researchers and policymakers that collects, creates, and distributes a wide variety of materials. You can find information on low income housing, community development strategies, environmental hazards, land development regulations, population shifts, and housing for elderly and disabled people. A free monthly newsletter and a publications catalogue is available. They can answer questions such as:
1) What information is there on housing for people with special needs?
2) How does one remove lead-based paint from their home?
3) What are "enterprise zones" and what are their goals?
4) What are some federal programs and other sources of assistance for homelessness?
5) What video programs are there on housing issues? |
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* National Injury Information Clearinghouse
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Washington, DC 20207
301-504-7921; Fax: 301-504-0025
Email: info@cpsc.gov
www.cpsc.gov/about/clrnghse.html |
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The National Injury Information Clearinghouse maintains thousands of detailed investigative reports of injuries associated with consumer products. It has access to automated databases with several million incidents of injuries that have been reported by a nationwide network of hospital emergency departments. You can find the victim's background, including age, race, injury diagnosis, consumer product involved, and more. The Clearinghouse distributes documents and will fulfill search requests, usually at no charge. They can answer questions such as:
1) How many children under the age of five are injured each year while playing with toys?
2) Are all terrain vehicles considered dangerous?
3) How many injuries/deaths have been reported within the last five years for all terrain vehicles?
4) How many fires are caused each year by range/ovens?
5) Which children's clothing manufacturers produce flame retardant materials and how effective are they? |
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* Meat and Poultry Hotline
Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250-3700
888-674-6854; Fax: 202-690-2859
Email: fsis.webmaster@usda.gov
www.fsis.usda.gov |
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The Meat and Poultry Hotline takes calls from consumers on cases of meat or poultry food poisoning or complaints about meat or poultry spoilage due to improper packaging or processing. They can also provide you with health-oriented information on safe handling and storage of meats and poultry. They can answer questions such as:
1) What should be done during a power outage?
2) What is salmonella and how can people be protected?
3) What are the different type of foodborne illnesses?
4) How long should you cook poultry?
5) What information should be included on meat and poultry labels and what does it mean? |
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* Mortgage Information Center
Program Evaluation Division
Assistant Secretary for Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
451 7th St., SW, Attn: B133
Washington, DC 20410
202-755-7470, ext. 145; Fax: 202-755-7455
www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/hsgrroom.cfm |
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Monthly reports are compiled by the Program Evaluation Division of HUD in areas relating to the mortgage market, securities, taxation, market trends, interest rates, among others. You can receive a free survey of mortgage lending activity and a survey of FHA and conventional mortgage rates. They can answer questions such as:
1) What are the average mortgage rates for different parts of the country?
2) What is the difference in mortgage rates over the past 10 years?
3) What is the average interest rate on new home loans versus existing home loans?
4) What is the number of unsold new houses in a given month?
5) What is the current FHA rate? |
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* National Criminal Justice Reference Service
National Institute of Justice/NCJRS
Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849
301-519-5500, 800-851-3420; Fax: 301-251-5212
Email: askncjrs@ncjrs.org
www.ncjrs.org/ |
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The National Criminal Justice Reference Service brings the latest criminal justice research findings to criminal justice policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from around the world. Their database features summaries of books, reports, articles, and audiovisual materials. They have a free bi-monthly catalogue which lists new publications (many of which are free), upcoming conferences, and more. They can answer questions such as:
1) What videotapes are there on criminal justice topics?
2) What information exists on community safety issues?
3) How effective is parole and probation?
4) What drug abuse programs are in place for offenders?
5) What is date rape? |
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Drug and Crime Data Center and Clearinghouse
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
800-666-3332
Email: ondc@ncjrs.org
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov |
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The Data Center and Clearinghouse serves the drugs-and-crime information needs of federal, state, and local policy makers, criminal justice and public health practitioners, researchers and universities, private corporations, the media, and the general public. The most current data is available on illegal drugs, drug law violations, drug related crime, drug using offenders in the criminal justice system, and the impact of drugs on criminal justice administration. The Clearinghouse maintains a database of some 1,500 annotated bibliographies of statistical and research reports, books, and journal articles on drugs and crime. All documents are free. They can answer questions such as:
1) What are the economic costs of drug related crime?
2) What data exists on the quantity and flow of illicit drugs from cultivation to consequences?
3) What percentage of high school seniors used cocaine last year?
4) What tactics have been used to build integrity and reduce drug corruption in police departments?
5) What percentage of rapists report that their victims were well known to them? |
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* National Clearinghouse on Election
Administration
Federal Election Commission
999 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20463
800-424-9530, 202-694-1100; Fax: 202-219-8500
www.fec.gov |
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The National Clearinghouse on Election Administration is an agency of the Federal Election Commission. Its overall objective is to enhance the honesty, integrity, and efficiency of the federal election process by providing information and assistance to state and local election officials, to state legislatures and legislative reference bureaus, and to other interested organizations regarding the conduct of Federal elections. They can answer questions such as:
1) What research reports are available on state campaign finance laws?
2) Where can I obtain advice and assistance in making polling places more accessible to the elderly and handicapped?
3) What statistics exist that could summarize state and national voting age populations, the number of registered voters, turnout, and results in presidential elections for 1960 through 1988?
4) What landmark judicial decisions have been made involving elections over the past twenty years?
5) What are the registration techniques and procedures in a particular state? |
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* Justice Statistics Clearinghouse
Bureau of Justice Statistics
U.S. Department of Justice
Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849
800-732-3277; 301-519-5500
Email: askncjrs@ncjrs.org
www.ncjrs.org |
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The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) supports this clearinghouse for those seeking crime and criminal justice data. In addition to distributing BJS publications, the Clearinghouse responds to statistics requests by offering document database searches, statistics information packages, referrals, and other related products and services. They can answer questions such as:
1) What is the annual national estimate of the amount of crime against persons and households?
2) What are some of the characteristics of victims?
3) How differently are juveniles handled from adults?
4) How prevalent is organized crime?
5) What is the recidivism rate, and when criminals are rearrested, with what crimes are they normally charged? |
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* Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Children's Resource Center
51 Gerty Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-1386, 877-275-3227; Fax: 217-244-7732
http://ceep.crc.uius.edu |
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The Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting provides information covering all aspects of the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development, and education of children from birth through early adolescence, excluding specific elementary school curriculum areas. Among the topics covered are: prenatal and infant development and care; child care programs and community services for children at local, state, and federal levels; parent, child, and family relationships; home and school relationships; foster care and adoption; and more. A publications list and price sheet are available. They can answer questions such as:
1) How do you start a day care center?
2) How do you choose a day care center and how do you assess a preschooler's development?
3) How can parents become involved in the education of their children?
4) How do you meet the needs of homeless children?
5) How do you help children with their social development? |
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* Bilingual Education Clearinghouse
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Education Programs
2121 K St. NW, Suite 260
Washington, DC 20037
202-467-0867, 800-321-6223; Fax: 800-531-9347
www.ncela.gwu.edu |
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The Bilingual Education Clearinghouse provides information to practitioners in the field on curriculum materials, program models, methodologies, and research findings on the education of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. They also offer an electronic information system, free to users, where access is available to a database of curriculum materials and literature related to the education of LEP persons. An electronic bulletin board is also available which contains news from federal, state, and local education agencies, conference announcements, and other current information. Their newsletter and other publications are available, many of which are free of charge. They can answer questions such as:
1) How do you mainstream language minority students?
2) What computer programs exist to assist in teaching limited English proficient students?
3) What are some of the issues and practices involved in meeting the needs of gifted and talented minority language students?
4) How can parents become involved in the education of limited English students?
5) How can teachers integrate multi cultural materials in instructional programs? |
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* Clearinghouse on Higher Education
College Board
45 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10023
212-713-8000; Fax: 212-713-8282
www.collegeboard.org |
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The College Board provides online information covering education beyond the secondary level that leads to a four year, masters, doctoral or professional degree and that includes courses and programs designed to enhance or update skills obtained in these degree programs. Areas include: academic advising, faculty, continuing education, legal issues, curriculum development, and more. They can answer questions such as:
1) What research and assessments are available on the trends and issues in higher education today?
2) What percentage of staff of higher education facilities are minorities and women?
3) What information is available on the issue of student stress?
4) How do we raise academic standards as a country?
5) What techniques are useful in improving a student's organizational skills? |
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* Performing Arts Library
Library of Congress
Performing Arts Reading Room
101 Independence Ave., SE, Room LM 113
Washington, DC 20540
202-707-5507
www.loc.gov/rr/perform |
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The Performing Arts Reading Room is a joint project of the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center, and offers information and reference assistance on dance, theater, opera, music, film, and broadcasting. The Performing Arts Library serves the research and information needs of the public, artists, and staff of the Center. The Library also identifies and locates the creative and resource materials necessary to develop new works and productions in the performing arts. Reference service is available by phone, in person, or by mail. They can answer questions such as:
1) How can an orchestral program of Irish composers be tailored for a young audience?
2) What information exists on different dance companies based in New York?
3) Is there information on what is required to start a record company?
4) Are their recordings of interviews or videotapes of famous actresses discussing their works?
5) Where can recordings be located on poetry readings? |
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Clean Air Technology Center Infoline (Air Pollution)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
919-541-0800
www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/about.html |
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The EPA Technology Center Infoline provides technical support to state and local agencies and to EPA regional offices in implementing air pollution control programs. They can answer questions such as:
1) What type of computer software can my company use to assess pollution control problems and evaluate potential solutions?
2) What impacts have control technologies had on air pollution?
3) What type of air pollution permits does my company need to operate in my state?
4) How can my company reduce its air pollution control costs?
5) What are the best cost-effective methods to maintain my company's air pollution control equipment? |
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* Boating Safety Hotline
Office of Boat Safety
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Department of Transportation
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington, DC 20593
202-267-1077, 800-368-5647; Fax: 202-267-4285
Email: BoatWeb@mail.rmit.com
www.uscgboating.org/ |
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The Boating Safety Hotline can provide you with information on such topics of interest to boaters as safety recalls, publications, Coast Guard department contacts and addresses, public education courses, and free Coast Guard Services. They have a wealth of free information and publications to share. They can answer questions such as:
1) What statistics exist on boating accidents?
2) How can parents teach children about water safety?
3) What things do people need to consider in evaluating floatation devices?
4) What licenses or regulations should boaters be aware of before they hit the water?
5) Where can people receive information on water charts and other navigational aids? |
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* National Climatic Data Center
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Federal Building
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
828-271-4800; Fax: 828-271-4876
Email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
www.ncdc.noaa.gov |
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The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) provides an important historical perspective on climate. Through the use of over a hundred years of weather observations, reference databases are generated. NCDC's data and information are available to everyone including the general public, the legal profession, engineering, industry, agriculture, and government policy makers. They can answer questions such as:
1) What were the weather conditions like in a particular part of a state on a specific day, and can this information be used for a court case?
2) In what parts of the country is the climate moderate allowing energy bills to be held to a minimum?
3) What information is available on severe storms, such as the occurrences of storms, data on the paths of individual storms, deaths, injuries, and estimated property damage?
4) Are droughts becoming more widespread?
5) Is the greenhouse theory becoming a reality? |
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* Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Clearinghouse
Mail Stop EE-1
Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
202-586-9220, 877-337-3463
www.eere.energy.gov |
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The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse can provide information on how to save energy, as well as information on solar, wind, or any other aspect of renewable energy. They have the latest research on renewable energy technologies and energy conservation, and can refer you to other valuable resources. A list of free publications is available. They can answer questions such as:
1) How can you convert a home to solar heat?
2) How do heat pumps work and are they efficient?
3) What should you look for in a wood burning appliance?
4) What can be done to improve the energy efficiency of a home?
5) Is the wind a practical source of energy? |
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* Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Office of Ground and Drinking Water (EPA)
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460-0003
202-564-3750, 800-426-4791; Fax: 202-564-3751
www.epa.gov/safewater |
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The Safe Drinking Water Hotline responds to questions concerning the Safe Drinking Water Act, water standards, regulations, and the Underground Injection Program. It will also provide selected free publications. They can answer questions such as:
1) How do I find out if there is lead in my drinking water?
2) What is the Underground Injection Program?
3) What are some of the newer techniques for removing and disposing of water pollutants?
4) What research is being done to develop safer drinking water?
5) What can I do if there is too much fluoride in my drinking water? |
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* National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, DFC, MS966
Denver, CO 80225-0046
303-273-8500; Fax: 303-273-8450
Email: sedas@usgs.gov
wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov |
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National Earthquake Information Center compiles, computes, and distributes digital and analog data on earthquakes that have occurred around the world. They have information on seismograms, earthquake magnitudes, intensities, and epicenter locations. They can answer questions such as:
1) What information exists on the most recent earthquake in California?
2) How many fault lines are known in California and where are they located?
3) What should people do in the event of an earthquake?
4) Where has there been seismic activity around the world in a given month?
5) What is the largest earthquake on record? |
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* National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
301-592-8573; Fax: 240-629-3246
Email: NHLBIinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ |
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* High Blood Pressure Information
National High Blood Pressure Education Program
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
301-592-8573; Fax: 240-629-3246
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ |
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* National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
301-496-4000, 800-891-5389
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm |
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* Mental Health Clearinghouse
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd.
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
866-615-6464, 301-443-4513; Fax: 301-443-4279
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov/ |
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* National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
301-496-5751, 800-352-9424
www.ninds.nih.gov |
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* Office on Smoking and Health
Centers for Disease Control
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Mail Stop K 50
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
770-488 5705, 800-CDC-INFO
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/mission.htm |
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* Sudden Infant Death Hotline
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Resource Center
8280 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22182
703-821-8955, 866-866-7437; Fax: 703-821-2098
Email: sids@circlesolutions.com
www.sidscenter.org/ |
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* Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute
6160 Cornerstone Court East
San Diego, CA 92121
858-623-2777, ext 416; Fax: 858-646-0761
www.fvsai.org/ |
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* Central Intelligence Agency
Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20505
703-482-0623; Fax: 703-482-1739
www.cia.gov |
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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is strictly a foreign intelligence organization and has no domestic or law enforcement duties. The CIA occasionally issues unclassified publications which provide additional research aids to the academic and business communities. The majority of these reports contain foreign or international economic and political information or are directories of foreign officials. They are available for sale. They can answer questions such as:
1) What is the history of the CIA?
2) What are the steps involved in the intelligence cycle?
3) What agencies or departments are involved with the intelligence community?
4) What involvement does the White House have in intelligence activities?
5) Who oversees the CIA? |
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* Children's Literature Center
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Tomas Jefferson Building, LJ 100
Washington, DC 20540-4620
202-707-5535; Fax: 202-707-4632
www.loc.gov/rr/child |
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* American Folklife Center
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4610
202-707-5510; Fax: 202-707-2076
www.loc.gov/folklife |
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The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress has been a national advocate for the preservation and presentation of American folklife. The Center serves a varied constituency (state and local organizations, scholars, researchers, students, and the general public), maintains relations and coordinates programs with other federal agencies, and offers a wide range of programs and services. The Folklife Center has conducted or assisted with surveys or major field projects in many states. It conducts research projects based on the documentary collections of the Library of Congress. It sponsors a variety of conferences, workshops, concerts, and other events at the Library and elsewhere. The Archive houses more that 35,000 hours of audio recordings, controls more than 100,000 pages of manuscript materials, and maintains over 4,000 books, directories, and periodicals dealing with folk music and folklore. They can answer questions such as:
1) What information or recordings exist regarding early jazz?
2) Where can someone locate information on Native American architecture?
3) Where are recordings on Australian folk songs?
4) What data is there on the native crafts of Hawaii?
5) Are there videos available to educate students about various cultures? |
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