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Select information center and clearinghouse information from the keyword or
alphabetical lists below.
A National AGING Information and
Referral Support Center The National Aging Information and Referral Support Center is designed to enhance the capacity of aging information and referral/assistance (I&R/A) systems to provide the information, counseling, decision supports, and advocacy needed to secure services and benefits for an ever-growing and increasingly diverse population of older persons and caregivers. Major funding for the center is provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging. The center provides a full range of assistance at the state and local levels on I&R/A systems design and management, quality improvements in I&R/A service delivery, and professionalism and training of the aging I&R/A workforce. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Institute on AGING Information
Center The National Institute on Aging Information Center provides publications on health topics of interest to older adults, doctors, nurses, social activities directors, health educators, and the public. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). U.S. Department of AGRICULTURE Extension Service SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse
for ALCOHOL and DRUG INFORMATION SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. NCADI gathers and disseminates information on alcohol and other drug-related subjects, including tobacco. Services include subject searches, provision of statistics and other information, and publications distribution. Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Education
and Referral Center The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center provides information about Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to health professionals, patients, and their families and the public. Most of the publications are provided at no charge as a service of the National Institute on Aging, one of the Federal Government's National Institutes of Health. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Institute of ARTHRITIS
and MUSCULOSKELETAL and SKIN DISEASES Information Clearinghouse
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse provides publications and information sources designed to help patients and health professionals identify educational materials concerning arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. Personal information requests from patients are referred to appropriate organizations for additional information. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). ABLEDATA (ASSISTIVE DEVICES, REHABILITATION) The ABLEDATA project provides information resources on assistive devices and rehabilitation equipment products for people with disabilities, including the ABLEDATA database of product information. The database includes detailed information on products for use in all aspects of independent living, including personal care, transportation, communication, and recreation. Custom searches provide specific information on products, including generic and brand names, description, manufacturer, availability, and cost. ABLEDATA can also be searched independently through the Internet. ABLEDATA is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National AUDIOVISUAL Center The National Audiovisual Center is a unique centralized resource for federally developed training and education materials. Its collection contains more than 9,000 audiovisual and media productions. The range of subject areas includes training in occupational safety and health, fire services, law enforcement, and foreign languages. Information and educational materials include areas such as history, health, agriculture, and natural resources. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). B National Library Service for the BLIND
and PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped administers a national library service that provides braille and recorded books and magazines on free loan to eligible residents of the United States or American citizens living abroad who cannot read or use standard printed materials because of permanent or temporary visual or physical disabilities. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). C CANCER Information Service
The Cancer Information Service (CIS) provides information about cancer and cancer-related resources to patients, the public, and health professionals. Inquiries are handled by trained information specialists and Spanish-speaking staff members are available. CIS distributes free publications from the National Cancer Institute. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (Local time, except Federal holidays). National CHILD CARE Information Center
The National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance center linking parents, providers, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to early child care and education information through partnering with the Child Care Bureau and Administration for Children and Families Regional Offices; question and answer services; the NCCIC Online Library and Web site; technical assistance and training to states; conference and meeting support; and publications. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Institute of CHILD HEALTH
and HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Information Resource Center
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Information Resource Center (IRC) provides information on health issues related to NICHD research. The NICHD supports and conducts research on health topics related to children, adults, families, and communities. NICHD has primary responsibility for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational research in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences related to child and maternal health, in medical rehabilitation, and in the reproductive sciences. NICHD also sponsors health education including: "Back to Sleep," designed to educate families and caregivers about putting healthy infants on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); "Milk Matters," designed to educate children, parents, and health care providers about the importance of calcium for strong bones and life-long health; and "Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active!" designed to teach 11- to 13-year-olds about media and how it impacts decisions on nutrition and physical activity. NICHD IRC offers trained information specialists who have access to information and referral services on topics related to the mission of the NICHD. The information specialists provide information in both English and Spanish. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). CHILD WELFARE Information Gateway Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. The Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families by connecting child welfare, adoption and related professionals as well as concerned citizens to timely, essential information. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, they also provide access to print and electronic publications, Web sites, and online databases covering a wide range of topics from prevention to permanency, including child welfare, child abuse and neglect, adoption, search and reunion, and more. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). Federal CITIZEN INFORMATION Center
The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) is a small government agency, established in 1970, that helps other Federal agencies and departments develop, promote, and distribute consumer information to the public. The quarterly Consumer Information Catalog lists more than 200 free or low-cost booklets on a variety of topics. FCIC's Web site features these publications, and many more, that visitors can view, print out, or download for free. It also features consumer news and tips and updates from various Federal agencies. FCIC's National Contact Center serves as a single point of contact for individuals with questions about Federal agencies, programs, and services. The specially trained staff can answer questions in English and Spanish about all aspects of the Federal Government or direct callers to an appropriate contact. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Center for COMPLEMENTARY and ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Information Clearinghouse The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Information Clearinghouse operates a toll-free telephone service. Information Specialists search NCCAM databases for scientific information on CAM therapies or conditions and can answer inquiries in English and Spanish. The Fax-on-Demand service, with factsheets and other information, is also available through the toll-free number. NCCAM services and materials are provided at no cost. The clearinghouse does not provide medical referrals, medical advice, or recommendations for specific CAM therapies. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National CRIMINAL JUSTICE Reference
Service The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) was established in 1972 as a centralized information service for criminal justice practitioners and researchers. NCJRS provides reference services; distributes publications of the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs; acquires publications for its collection; and provides other services, such as document loan and information dissemination, via the Internet. A computerized database includes abstracts of all materials in the NCJRS collection. (The database is available on CD-ROM and on DIALOG.) Health issues covered by NCJRS include violence prevention; mental illness and crime; victimization; human development and criminal behavior; family violence and child abuse; health care fraud; substance abuse and treatment; and correctional health care, including AIDS and tuberculosis. Hours of operation: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). D National Consortium on DEAF-BLINDNESS The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) provides technical assistance and information services related to children and youth who are deaf-blind. Parents, service providers, administrators, and others interested in services are invited to contact the consortium for information. NCDB is a collaborative effort of the Helen Keller National Center, Perkins School for the Blind, and the Teaching Research Institute of Western Oregon University. NCDB is the sponsor of the publication Deaf-Blind Perspectives. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays); voicemail 24 hours a day. National Institute on DEAFNESS
and Other COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Information Clearinghouse
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Information Clearinghouse collects and disseminates information on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language for health professionals, patients, people in industry, and the public. NIDCD maintains a database of references to brochures, books, articles, factsheets, organizations, and educational materials, called the NIDCD Health Information Index. It also develops publications, including directories, factsheets, brochures, information packets, and newsletters. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National DIABETES Information
Clearinghouse The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is an information and referral service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one of the National Institutes of Health. The clearinghouse responds to written, telephone, and e-mail inquiries; develops and distributes publications about diabetes; and provides referrals to diabetes organizations, including support groups. NDIC maintains a database of patient and professional education materials from which literature searches are generated. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National DIGESTIVE DISEASES Information
Clearinghouse The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is an information and referral service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one of the National Institutes of Health. A central information resource on the prevention and management of digestive diseases, the clearinghouse responds to written inquiries, develops and distributes publications about digestive diseases, and provides referrals to digestive disease organizations, including support groups. NDDIC maintains a database of patient and professional education materials from which literature searches are generated. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Dissemination Center
for Children with DISABILITIES The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (formally the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The center serves as a central source of information on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the Nation's special education law; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices. All information and services are provided free of charge. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). Clearinghouse on DISABILITY INFORMATION The clearinghouse provides information to people with disabilities, or anyone requesting information, by doing research and providing documents in response to inquiries. Information provided includes areas of Federal funding for disability-related programs. Clearinghouse staff is trained to refer requests to other sources of disability-related information, if necessary. Information provided may be useful to individuals with disabilities, their families, schools and universities, teacher’s and/or school administrators, and organizations who have persons with disabilities as clients. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Center for the Dissemination of
DISABILITY RESEARCH Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) is a pilot project designed to help NIDRR-funded researchers publicize the results of their research. NCDDR achieves its goals through use of effective change strategies and by identifying and implementing a wide range of dissemination techniques, modes, and formats (including electronic data, large print, Braille, audio and video, other languages) identified by users. The project is housed at and administered by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Central time, except Federal holidays). Safe DRINKING WATER Hotline The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline is a service of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. It provides the general public, regulators, medical and water professionals, academia, and media, with information about drinking water and ground water programs authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The hotline responds to factual questions in the following program areas: local drinking water quality; drinking water standards; public drinking water systems; source water protection; large capacity residential septic systems; commercial and industrial septic systems; injection wells; and drainage wells. Hours of operation: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). DRUG POLICY Information Clearinghouse
The clearinghouse supports the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Staffed by subject matter specialists, the clearinghouse serves as a resource for statistics, research data, and referrals useful for developing and implementing drug policy. It disseminates publications; writes and produces documents on drug-related topics; coordinates with Federal, state, and local agencies to identify data resources; and maintains a reading room offering a broad range of policy-related materials. Hours of operation: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). E EDUCATION RESOURCES Information
Center The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a digital library of education-related resources, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC’s mission is to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-use, searchable, Internet-based bibliographic and full-text database of education research and information that also meets the requirements of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002. A fundamental goal for ERIC’s future is to increase the availability and quality of research and information for educators, researchers, and the general public. Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National Center on ELDER ABUSE The National Center on Elder Abuse is a national resource for elder rights, law enforcement and legal professionals, public policy leaders, researchers, and the public. The center’s mission is to promote understanding, knowledge sharing, and action on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). ELDERCARE Locator
The Eldercare Locator, a toll-free, operator-assisted service funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, helps older adults and their caregivers find local services for seniors. The service links family members and the public to the information and referral (I&R) services of their state and area agencies on aging. These I&R programs can help you identify appropriate services in the area where you or your family members reside. Internet users can access the directory of information and referral/assistance service centers through a Web site maintained by the Center for Communication and Consumer Services in the U.S. Administration on Aging. The site is currently being expanded to include fact sheets on aging services and programs. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays); voicemail 24 hours a day. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency
Headquarters National Library Network The library offers general information about the agency and refers inquiries to the appropriate regional or program office. The public may visit and use the library’s collection onsite at the library but materials do not circulate to non-EPA staff. The library does not distribute agency publications. The EPA National Library Network is composed of libraries and repositories located in the Agency’s Headquarters, Regional and Field Offices, Research Centers, and specialized laboratories, as well as Web-based access to electronic collections. Information about the EPA National Library Network, including a listing of libraries, may be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/libraries. The combined network collections contain information about the environment and related scientific, technical, management, and policy information. The EPA Online Library System is the Network’s online catalog of library holdings and is available at http://www.epa.gov/libraries/ols.htm. The public can request EPA library materials, including journals, books and EPA documents, via interlibrary loan from their local library. The National Environmental Publications Internet Site, http://www.epa.gov/nepis, the Agency’s gateway for EPA publications, provides free access to more than 25,000 electronic EPA documents and more than 7,000 hard-copy EPA documents. Hours of operation: Public - 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday; EPA Staff - 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). F National Clearinghouse on FAMILIES
& YOUTH The clearinghouse links those interested in youth issues with the resources they need to better serve young people, families, and communities. It offers materials for distribution at conferences. The Web site includes a searchable literature database and information on funding sources. Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). FOOD and NUTRITION Information
Center The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) is one of several information centers located at the National Agricultural Library, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. FNIC provides information on food, human nutrition, and food safety. Resource lists, databases, and many other food- and nutrition-related links are available on FNIC Web site. FNIC collection includes books, manuals, journal articles, and audiovisual materials. Eligible patrons may borrow directly; others may borrow through interlibrary loan. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). Center for FOOD SAFETY and Applied
Nutrition Outreach and Information Center The goal of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's (CFSAN) Outreach and Information Center (O&IC) is to enhance CFSAN's ability to provide and respond to the public's desire/demand for more useful, timely, and accurate information regarding its regulated products. O&IC was also established to enhance the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to provide accurate and meaningful information to the public about food safety. In addition to providing food safety information, O&IC provides assistance with other CFSAN issues including nutrition, dietary supplements, food labeling, cosmetics, food additives, and food biotechnology. Hours of operation: 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. G GENETIC and RARE
DISEASES Information Center Two agencies of the National Institutes of Health, the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Office of Rare Diseases, launched the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center to provide free and immediate access to accurate, reliable information about genetic and rare diseases in English and Spanish. The information center provides assistance to patients and their families, health professionals, and other interested parties. It provides current, authoritative, and accurate information about specific conditions and illnesses from high-quality resources such as trusted and reliable Web sites, organizations, and institutions. Hours of operation: 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (Eastern time, except Federal holidays). National GUIDELINE Clearinghouse™
The National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC) is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. NGC is an initiative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NGC was originally created by AHRQ in partnership with the American Medical Association and the American Association of Health Plans (now America’s Health Insurance Plans [AHIP]). Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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