Getting connected to basic resources in Long Beach just got a little bit easier.
City officials announced today that they have expanded the LB Resource Line, a hotline providing free and confidential support and assistance for anyone who lives, works or attends school in Long Beach.
The hotline launched in March 2020 to help older adults get connected with community resources and social services at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since expanded to be available to everyone in the city—and callers can now connect directly with a Health Department staffer during business hours, rather than leaving a voicemail and waiting for a call back.
The LB Resource Line can help assist people with housing, food access, physical and mental health, utilities, transportation and legal aid. Callers will be able to reach a staff member directly at 562-570-4246 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and they can leave a voicemail outside those hours and receive a call back within 24 hours. Those in need can also submit an assistance request form online.
“The expansion of our Resource Line is a valuable addition to the City’s supportive services and will continue to provide residents a starting point when they aren’t sure where to begin,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a press release.
Since March 2020, the hotline has facilitated over 6,500 calls for support, according to the release.
The Health Department staffers answering the calls, known as “resource navigators,” are trained to assist and support the public. They will collect basic information like the caller’s address to help locate nearby resources, assess eligibility for programs and share relevant information to meet the caller’s needs. Staff on the hotline can provide assistance in English and Spanish and can also assist callers in other languages through interpreters.
Once nearby resources are identified, callers can reach out to the agency or organization themselves or allow the resource navigator to share their information directly with the service provider for a faster response.
The resource line is available to all, and folks are free to use the service anonymously. However, providing basic information like a name, address, date of birth and phone number will allow staff to “better serve you in locating nearby resources, assessing eligibility and sharing relevant information,” according to the website. The resource line will also not require a person to provide proof of citizenship.
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