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NEW ORLEANS – When you or a loved one is struggling, you want to be sure you are getting accurate trustworthy information and referrals. How can you do that? Make sure you are contacting an organization that has proven to meet national standards and best practices.

VIA LINK announces today that it has been reaccredited by Inform USA (formerly AIRS) for a period of five years. The organization underwent the rigorous process which is typically takes 12 months and involves five phases including: a consultant’s report that assessed the agency’s compliance with national standards; a detailed review of the resource database; a secret shopper component; a survey of the organizations who are listed on their resource database; a virtual site visit.

This accreditation underscores VIA LINK’s adherence to best practices in helping people get connected to the right resources to meet their needs whether it is food, or heating assistance or counseling. Individuals can access these services by dialing 2-1-1 or texting 898211.  Services are free and available 24/7. It is the organization’s 3rd time achieving this honor. The previous accreditations were in 2018, 2013, and 2008.

“Anyone in need in a non-life-threatening situation should make dialing 2-1-1 their first call.  A live, caring person answers the phone and helps locate available resources closest to where the caller is. VIA LINK is fortunate to have a team of wonderful Resource Specialists mining our state for no cost or minimal cost resources to help those struggling with the health and/or basic needs” stated VIA LINK CEO LaVondra Dobbs.

Inform USA accredits approximately 125 agencies in the United States and Canada and is a 501c3 nonprofit agency. Accredited organizations include all types of Information and Referral providers such as 211, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Specialty I&R, etc. The size of the organizations ranges from 2 staff to over 100 and services are available in most parts of North America.

Learn more about Inform USA at https://www.informusa.org. Learn more about VIA LINK at https://vialink.org.