HOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION
OVER THE PHONE

To be effective in getting information about agencies in your area:

• Make a call only after organizing in your mind exactly what you are after and always asks about the costs.
• Be precise. The person on the other end of the line will appreciate your being very concise and specific about what you need.
• Make morning calls whenever possible. Agency workers seem more willing to talk and be helpful fairly early in the workday. Many non-profit agencies are only open in the morning.
• Take notes in a loose leaf notebook on every call you make. Information might become relevant later.

Telephone Prompter

My name is:

I'm caring for:
who is my (friend, brother, spouse, parent):

I need (what type of help):

The hours I need this help are:

Can you or your agency help me?

If no...Can you give me another name or agency to call?

If yes...What services do you provide?
What are the costs?
How are they paid?
What are the eligibility requirements?
How long must we wait?
Are there forms to fill out?
Would you send me a brochure or an application?
To whom am I speaking?
Do I need to speak to anyone else?