Community Resources

There are resources right in your community that can help you live a healthy lifestyle. AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC) is dedicated to caring for the whole person. Use the resources below and contact Enrollee Services at 1-800-408-7511 (Medicaid enrollees) or 1-866-842-2810 (Alliance enrollees) if you need additional resources.

No-cost behavioral health resources

• 24-hour D.C. Department of Behavioral Health Access HelpLine: 1-888-796-4357
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TALKWITHUS to 66746
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness hosts online communities for people to share issues and obtain support:
• Call 1-800-950-NAMI
• Find help in a crisis: Visit the website or text NAMI to 741741
• The D.C. chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Mobile crisis services are available from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day and can be activated by calling 202-673-9300
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

If you and your family are experiencing stress or anxiety and would like to talk to someone, please call any of the numbers above for assistance. You can also call AmeriHealth Caritas DC Enrollee Services at 202-408-4720 or toll-free at 1-800-408-7511. Our Enrollee Services representatives can help you find a behavioral health provider (counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist). Many of these providers offer services over the telephone.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Enrollees are welcome to meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. Chesapeake & Potomac Region of Narcotics Anonymous (https://www.cprna.org/)

For more information on any of these resources, call Medicaid Enrollee Services at 1-202-408-4720 or toll-free at 1-800-408-7511, or Alliance Enrollee Services at 1-202-842-2810 or toll-free at 1-866-842-2810, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

District of Columbia Housing Authority

The DC Housing Authority offers the following housing and resident services:

• Adult education and literacy programs
• Affordable apartment (HUD) searches
• Inspection checklist
• List of housing and shelter resources
• Scholarship programs
• Workplace program applications

View the full list of services at DC Housing Authority. The DC Housing Authority is located at 1133 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.

The District Department of the Environment promotes lead-safe and healthy homes.
Here you can view:

• Partnership for Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes (PDF)
• Healthy Housing Program referral form (PDF)

Get more information online or call 1-202-535-2250. They are located at 51 N Street NE, #5, Washington, DC 20002.

District of Columbia Public Library

There are public libraries located across the District of Columbia. Find a library in your neighborhood and get information on the following services:

• Books from Birth
  The Books from Birth program gives your child a free book each month, up until the age of 5.
• Homework help
  This is a 24-hour online database to help teens with their homework. A library card or DC One Card number and PIN is needed. 
• Adult Literacy Resource Center
  The Adult Literacy Resource Center is located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in room 300. You can call the Literacy Helpline at 1-202-727-2431 for help improving reading, writing and math skills for the GED test. 

DC Department of Parks and Recreation

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation offers:

• Swim lessons
• Senior services
• Sports health and fitness
• Youth camps
• Teen programs

Visit the Department of Parks and Recreation or call 1-202-673-7647. They are located at 1250 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington

There are many YMCA locations across the District of Columbia. Find a YMCA near you. The YMCA offers programs for kids, teens and families, such as:

• Day camps
• Education and teen leadership
• Health and well-being programs for kids

View the full list of services at YMCA of Metropolitan Washington or call 1-202-232-6700.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is a place where youth can go to learn health and life skills, leadership skills and participate in recreational activities. Other programs and services are:

• Before and after care
• Summer camps
• Sports

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington has different locations around the District. View a list of locations and other services.

Greater Washington Urban League

The Greater Washington Urban League is an organization that focuses on empowering communities and changing lives using programs, such as:

• Education
• Employment and training
• Housing and community development

They also have a Parent Center website that helps parents get involved in their children's education, along with teaching other parenting skills.

For more information, visit the Greater Washington Urban League or call 1-202-265-8200.