Information, Assistance, and Referral (I & A) is a service that helps individuals, families, and communities identify, understand, and effectively use the programs that comprise the human service delivery system. On the local level, the I & A system provides long-range planning by tracking requests for services and identifying gaps and duplications in services. This allows the local I & A system to keep an updated list of service providers that Montana’s senior citizens, adults with disabilities, their family members, and caregivers can be referred to.

Information, Assistance, and Referral Technicians must attend a comprehensive two-day training on the issues and programs and must pass the Montana Information & Assistance Certification Test to be certified for this position. It prepares them to be the first responder when a client calls for help and allows them to assist with issues from the very simple and straightforward to those that are more complex..

Through the use of individual counselors, the I & A system can provide comprehensive and current local resource information on issues and the availability of services such as:

• Social and Health Services
• Crisis and/or Emergency Intervention
• Utilities Assistance
• Adult Protective Services
• Grief and Loss Issues
• Mental Health Counseling

Some of the specific programs Ravalli County Council on Aging provides are

• Housing Referrals
• Meal Services
• State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
• Respite Referrals
• Money Management Program (MMP)
• Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM)
• Medicare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (SMP Program)
• Alzheimer’s Support
• Telephone Reassurance
• Advance Directives – End of Life Care
• Medicare Part D Prescription Plan Assistance
• Loan Closet—Durable Medical Equipment – i.e. walkers, wheel chairs, shower benches etc