Free Relief at Your Fingertips

Revamped Public Health Department website offers 1,500 social services

BY JORDAN HOUSTON

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is revolutionizing the ways in which it supports its aging residents.

The department has improved and redesigned its social services website, FindHelpPhx.org, which connects the community to essential services like housing, utilities, parenting, health care, dental, food, clothing, transportation, domestic violence, legal and more.

Launched in 2012, FindHelpPHX has evolved into a “versatile and comprehensive site,” according to Maricopa County Department of Public Health Healthy Aging Manager Laurie Thomas.

The site, available in English and Spanish, now boasts over 1,500 free and almost-free services across Maricopa County.

“I feel like it’s more relevant than ever before — partly because of COVID-19 and partly because of our recent increase in inflation in food and housing,” Thomas says. “Residents have been affected in so many ways by COVID, whether it’s loss of employment and health care benefits or all kinds of needs. Also during COVID, there was quarantining that brought about a lot of social issues, including domestic violence and loss of social support for children such as school.”

The one-stop shop site also features links for the latest COVID-19 information and a more responsive website design for Android and iOS mobile devices, Thomas continues.

FindHelpPHX is divided into multiple categories of services, ranging from medical to legal and affordable housing. Each search provides the location, description of the service, cost, and a phone number or website link to make contact.

The healthy aging manager notes the most requested categories are housing/ utilities, health care, food, clothing and transportation.

“Where we get the most hits are housing and utilities. That one is the most,” Thomas says. “Health care is another one that is high up there, and then there is dental, because that is something that falls in the cracks.”

Thomas cited several examples of users who have already benefited from the site, including a Glendale mother who landed low-cost eye exams and glasses for her three children and husband, who is diabetic and in his 50s.

Another is a single mother who found low-cost braces for her 17-year-old son, paying only one-third of the price compared to other options.

“We do try to keep it to those who are offering free, or almost-free, services,” Thomas shares. “It’s community agencies, so there are no ads on this and there aren’t many things that you would be blindsided by.”

How it works

FindHelpPHX allows users to create their own personal social service directory, according to the website.

Individuals can create lists of their favorite FHP services. To do so, click on “Create New List” to title the new section. The heart icon to the right of each listing allows users to save the FHP service to their list.

Services not listed on FHP can be added to a user’s list by selecting “Add My Own Services,” Thomas emphasizes. Users can add as much or as little detail as desired.

Below the heart icon is a flag, which encourages users to flag or report feedback regarding a specific service.

“We still want to know if there is a problem with the result that you called, so we love to hear (feedback),” Thomas explains.

Accuracy is a top priority for FindHelpPHX, the healthy aging manager adds.

The website is vetted and updated three times a year by the Solari/Crisis Response Network, she says.

“211 is a crisis response network, and they will refer you to a service of whatever you are needing. So, we cross reference and they do the vetting to make sure these services are still accurate,” according to Thomas.

First Things First, a statewide organization that partners with families and communities to fund early education and health programs, funds the social services directory.

The Arizona voter-created initiative aligns with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s mission, Thomas expresses, which is to protect and promote the health and well-being of its residents and visitors as well.

“We are trying very hard to reach the vulnerable populations and to provide equity for all,” she says. “We all need assistance at some time in our lives.”

To request an in-person website demonstration of FindHelpPHX.org, or to pitch a nonprofit resource not included in the directory, email amanda. lopez-molina@maricopa.gov.

FindHelpPHX is also available in Spanish at Encuentraayudaphx.org.