Community Knowledge Web

Welcome to your Health Resource Directory 

General:  The purpose of this directory is to provide residents and health care providers with local community resources to assist with patient care.  The services listed are not a substitute for medical care, nor a substitute for appropriate referral to Social Work.  This is a list of commonly used resources in the Metro Detroit area.  Copies of this directory are in the GPC clinic, Dr. Smitherman’s office and the GPC Social Workers’ office.  Brochures and more detailed information about all of the agencies listed are in Dr. Smitherman’s office.

Layout:  The table of contents lists categories of services, and each organization that provides that service is listed in alphabetical order.  The organizations in the directory are listed in alphabetical order.  The organizations’ names, addresses, phone numbers and contact persons are listed as well as the services provided and the costs, if any, for these services.  As of August, 2001, all phone numbers and addresses are accurate and up to date. 

Tips for using this directory: 

• If you are referring a family to an organization for the first time, it would be a good idea to call first, to make sure that the referral is appropriate for that organization.
• Instruct the families that if they are unable to make contact on the first call to keep trying.
• Sometimes, it takes several days for an organization to call back.  Encourage the families to make follow up phone calls every few days if needed.
• Once a referral is made, follow up with the family weekly to ensure that the services are in place.

Tips for helping families:  Many families will not volunteer that they are having difficulties with finances, school problems, parenting, housing, etc.  Many families, although they live in the area, are not aware of what resources are available to them.  A social history should be reviewed at each health maintenance visit and updated in the patient’s chart. 

Mandatory referrals to Social Work:

• Failure to Thrive
• Facial trauma
• Suspected child abuse and/or neglect
• Any trauma/neglect
• Sexual abuse
• Caustic ingestions
• Rape
• Gunshot or stab wounds
• Retinal or subhyaloid hemorrhages without obvious explanation
• Subglottic stenosis/tracheostomy
• Injuries that correspond with history

 Suggested referrals to Social Work:

• Medical Non-compliance
• Lead poisoning
• Ingestions
• Chronic illness/disability
• Domestic Violence
• Cultural issues (language barriers, deafness, social isolation)
• Family educational needs (teen parents, assistance with GED)
• Family health problems (mental or physical illness, substance abuse)
• Inadequate resources (housing, food, insurance, utility shut-off)

Mandatory referrals to Psychology: