Information and Referral for People Needing Human Services: A Complex System That Should Be Improved

The Federal Government, as well as state, local, and private agencies, offers a variety of programs directed at providing human services to help improve the status of individuals. More than $100 billion in federal funds is spent annually on health, rehabilitation, employment, income maintenance, nutrition, education, and other programs designed to assist people. Although many such programs are available, linking people with appropriate services is difficult. Information and referral (I&R) services attempt to inform people about programs available and help them link up with programs appropriate to their needs.