Community Resources

Beyond the programs we offer directly, there are many organizations across South Mississippi and statewide that can help you and your family. This page connects you with trusted resources for food, healthcare, housing, jobs, legal help, and more.

All resources listed here are free or low cost. If you are not sure where to start, call 2-1-1 from any phone for 24/7 help finding services in your area, or contact our office at (228) 769-3292.

Government Programs

State and federal programs that provide food, healthcare, cash assistance, and other support to eligible Mississippi residents.

SNAP (Food Benefits)

Monthly food benefits to help low-income families supplement their grocery budgets. Apply online through the Mississippi Common Web Portal.

Mississippi Medicaid

Health coverage for eligible low-income children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities.

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance)

Health coverage for uninsured children up to age 19 whose families earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.

WIC (Women, Infants, Children)

Monthly food benefits and nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5.

TANF (Cash Assistance)

Cash assistance for families with children under 18 while parents gain work skills and find employment.

Child Support Enforcement

Helps custodial parents establish paternity, set support orders, and collect child support payments.

Community Action Partnership

The national network of Community Action Agencies working to reduce poverty. CASOMS is a member of this network.

Mississippi Department of Health

Statewide public health services including immunizations, WIC, vital records, disease prevention, and county health departments.

Housing

Affordable housing, rental assistance, Section 8 vouchers, homeless services, and homeownership programs for South Mississippi residents.

Gulf Coast

Open Doors Homeless Coalition

Rapid rehousing, homeless prevention, and the Coordinated Entry System for six South Mississippi counties including Harrison, Jackson, and George.

Gulf Coast

South MS Housing Authority

Public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs for 14 South Mississippi counties including Harrison, Jackson, and George.

Statewide

Mississippi Home Corporation

Affordable mortgage programs, down payment assistance, and Housing Assistance for Teachers through the state housing finance agency.

Gulf Coast

Back Bay Mission

Emergency assistance, housing rehabilitation, supportive housing, and the Micah Day Center for individuals experiencing homelessness in Biloxi.

Gulf Coast

Seashore Mission

Shelter, meals, and recovery support for individuals experiencing homelessness on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

National

Home Remodeling for Seniors

Guide to home modifications and accessibility upgrades for seniors and individuals with disabilities to maintain safe, independent living.

Healthcare

Low cost medical care, dental, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services on the Gulf Coast and statewide.

Gulf Coast

Coastal Family Health Center

Federally Qualified Health Center with 14 clinics across the Gulf Coast. Primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, WIC enrollment, and pharmacy. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients.

Local Clinics
Statewide

MS Department of Mental Health

Statewide mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability services. Operates a 24/7 helpline and Mobile Crisis Response Teams in all 82 Mississippi counties.

Gulf Coast

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare

Outpatient mental health services, substance abuse treatment, crisis stabilization, and counseling for Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties.

Gulf Coast

Gulfport Behavioral Health System

Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care for adults, adolescents, and children. Substance abuse programs, detox, and specialized programs for veterans and first responders. 24/7 assessments available.

Emergency Help

Emergency food, shelter, clothing, utility assistance, disaster relief, and 24/7 referral services.

2-1-1
Mississippi Resource Referral

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free, confidential service connecting you with health and human services including utilities, rent, food, healthcare, and crisis support.

Call 2-1-1
Gulf Coast

The Salvation Army

Emergency food, shelter (including cold weather shelter), clothing, utility assistance, and disaster relief services across the Gulf Coast.

Local Offices
Visit salvationarmy.org (opens in new tab)
Gulf Coast

American Red Cross

Disaster response, emergency shelter, fire assistance, and military family support through the Southeast Mississippi Chapter.

Local Office

612 East Pass Road
Gulfport, MS 39507

Visit redcross.org (opens in new tab)

Jobs and Training

Job placement, career counseling, skills training, and workforce development programs on the Gulf Coast and statewide.

Gulf Coast

WIN Job Centers

Job placement assistance, career counseling, skills training, veterans priority services, unemployment insurance, and referral to employment resources through the MS Department of Employment Security.

Local Centers
Visit mdes.ms.gov (opens in new tab)
Gulf Coast

WIOA Job Training (MGCCC)

Free tuition assistance, job training, paid internships, and supportive services for unemployed or underemployed adults and out of school youth ages 16 to 24. Funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Contact

WIOA Coordinator: (228) 897-6912

Visit mgccc.edu WIOA (opens in new tab)
Statewide

Mississippi Works

Statewide employment initiative connecting job seekers with employers, training programs, and career pathway resources across Mississippi.

Visit mississippiworks.org (opens in new tab)
Statewide

MS Dept of Rehabilitation Services

Helps Mississippians with disabilities find careers, live independently, and access vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, and job placement services.

Education

GED programs, college planning, financial aid, early childhood resources, and adult education on the Gulf Coast and statewide.

Gulf Coast

MGCCC Adult Education (GED)

Free adult education classes to earn your High School Equivalency diploma through GED or HiSET exams. Multiple locations across the Gulf Coast.

Locations
Visit mgccc.edu Adult Education (opens in new tab)
National

FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

Apply for federal Pell Grants, student loans, and work study to pay for college. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to find out what you qualify for.

Statewide

Complete 2 Compete (C2C)

Mississippi program helping adults who started college but did not finish earn their degrees, with financial assistance up to $1,000 per semester.

Visit mississippi.edu/c2c (opens in new tab)
Statewide

Get2College

Free, confidential college planning advice and FAFSA completion help for Mississippi students and families.

Gulf Coast

Excel by 5 (Jackson County)

Early childhood development resources for Jackson County families. Tools, activities, and guidance to help children reach developmental milestones before age 5.

Visit Jackson County Excel by 5 (opens in new tab)
National

Early Childhood Learning (ECLKC)

The federal Office of Head Start's resource hub for early childhood education. Research, best practices, training materials, and family engagement tools for parents and educators.

Visit headstart.gov (opens in new tab)

Veterans

Healthcare, benefits, crisis support, and employment services for veterans and their families on the Gulf Coast and statewide.

Gulf Coast

VA Gulf Coast Health Care

Full service VA medical center in Biloxi offering inpatient and outpatient care, mental health, substance abuse treatment, blind rehabilitation, and community living center. Serves over 85,000 veterans annually.

400 Veterans Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39531

Visit VA Gulf Coast
(opens in new tab)
24/7 Crisis

Veterans Crisis Line

Immediate, confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text, or online chat.

How to Reach Us
Visit veteranscrisisline.net
(opens in new tab)
Statewide

MS State Veterans Affairs

State agency assisting veterans with benefits, homestead tax exemption, state park access, and connections to federal VA services across Mississippi.

Visit msva.ms.gov
(opens in new tab)
Toll Free: (877) 203-5632

Senior Resources

Assisted living, in-home care, memory care, Medicare, and independent living resources for seniors and their families in Mississippi.

Statewide

Medicare Advantage Plans

Compare Medicare Advantage plans available in Mississippi, understand coverage options, and find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Statewide

Assisted Living in Mississippi

Search for assisted living communities across Mississippi. Compare facilities, read reviews, and find the right fit for your loved one.

Statewide

In-Home Care

Find in-home care providers in Mississippi for help with daily activities, personal care, and companionship so seniors can stay in their own homes.

Statewide

Memory Care

Find memory care facilities in Mississippi for loved ones living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Compare specialized programs, staff qualifications, and safety features.

Find memory care in Mississippi
(opens in new tab)
Statewide

Nursing Homes

Search for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Mississippi. Compare ratings, services, costs, and Medicare or Medicaid acceptance.

Statewide

Independent Living

Find independent living communities in Mississippi for active seniors who want a maintenance-free lifestyle with social activities and optional support services.

National

Home Remodeling for Seniors

Guide to home modifications and accessibility upgrades for seniors and individuals with disabilities to maintain safe, independent living.

Statewide

LIFE of Mississippi

Center for independent living providing peer counseling, referrals, independent living skills training, and advocacy for people with significant disabilities. Satellite office in Gulfport.

Visit lifeofms.com
(opens in new tab)
Toll Free: (800) 748-9398

Crisis and Safety

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. These resources provide confidential support for domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, and mental health crises.

988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Immediate help for anyone in suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance use crisis. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text, or chat. Free and confidential.

Call 988
or text 988
Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence

Mississippi's first Family Justice Center. Emergency shelter, counseling, free legal services, forensic medical clinic, children's programs, housing assistance, and court advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. All services are free and confidential.

Contact
Visit gccfn.org (opens in new tab)
24/7 National

National Crisis Hotlines

Confidential support, safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals to local programs. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault (RAINN)
thehotline.org (opens in new tab)
rainn.org (opens in new tab)

Need Help Finding the Right Resource?

Our team can help connect you with the programs and services that fit your situation. Call us or visit our Get Help page to get started.

(228) 769-3292