Health
Affect Therapeutics
323-522-2218
Referrals: 888-594-7015
Affect Therapeutics is a digital addiction treatment program that is discreet, effective, and safe to help those struggling with stimulant use disorder (StimUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). In addition, we have expanded our services to include treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).
Services:
Our integrated recovery program for alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana works from an app on any smartphone
Counseling and doctor appointments are conducted over secure video conferences via the app, so they can be attended anywhere
Daily challenges and appointment management to help give extra support and encouragement
Urine screening kits and/or breathalyzers are provided
Reward incentives that help keeps members motivated
At Affect, we offer an integrated care program that focuses on contingency management to treat alcohol, stimulant and cannabis use disorders. Our research has shown that contingency management is particularly effective for individuals dealing with these issues, and we use a unique rewards system to enhance motivation and retention.
Available for Missouri residents.
Alzheimer’s Association
2609 E Broadway, #119, Columbia, MO 65201
800-272-3900 573-443-8665 Fax 573-499-9701
Hours: 8:00 am-5:00 pm. (M-F) and 24/7 toll free helpline
https://www.alz.org/greatermissouri
Services: Care Consultation, Information and referral, 24/7 helpline; Medic Alert + Safe Return; Support Groups; Professional Education; Caregiver Respite; Advocacy
Eligibility: None
Fees: Services free, materials in bulk are at cost
American Cancer Society
1001 Craig Rd, Suite 350, St. Louis, MO 63146
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-227-2345
Services: Provides high quality, timely, understandable information to newly diagnosed patients and caregivers; supports and advocates for cancer research; improves the quality of life of cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors through service referral, community mobilization, collaboration, advocacy, and direct services such as nutritional supplements, wigs, and support groups.
Eligibility: Anyone with cancer or their family members
Fees: Free
American Diabetes Association
Services: Provides information for professional and patient education; assists with locating support groups; provides public information concerning diabetes research.
Eligibility: No Restrictions
Fees: Many free materials, bulk literature available at nominal cost
American Heart Association
American Red Cross Mid - Missouri Blood Center
1511 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO, 65203
573-635-1132
Services: Collect, process, test, and distribute blood products to area hospital
Eligibility: 17 and older, must meet health criteria to donate, blood products distributed through certified medical facilities
Fees: No fee for blood donors, processing fee for blood products for certified medical facilities.
American Red Cross Central and Northern Missouri (CPR Training, Health & Safety Training)
601 Business Loop 70 W, Suite 218, Columbia, MO 65203
https://www.redcross.org/local/missouri/about-us/locations/central-northern-missouri.html
Services: Disaster relief; disaster preparedness; health and safety training (First Aid, CPR, AED, etc.) services to armed forces and their families; water safety training.
Eligibility: Disaster relief services are provided for verified disaster victims
Fees: Disaster relief services are free. Health and safety courses have minimal fees
The Bluffs
3105 Bluff Creek, Columbia, MO 65201
573-442-6060 Fax 573-874-8060
Hours: 7:30am-5:30 pm Monday through Friday, facilities operate 24 hours daily
contact: https://www.thebluffscolumbia.org/contact/
Services: 24 hour skilled nursing care; physical occupational, speech, and rehabilitative therapies; entertainment and activities; physician; hospice; respite, short term care; Alzheimer’s unit; other services as needed
Eligibility: Must need nursing care
Fees: Yes, accepts Medicaid and Medicare
Boone County University of Missouri Extension (Health and Nutrition Information)
1012 N. Highway UU Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-9792
Hours: 8-4:30 pm Monday through Friday, Closed 12 PM - 12:30 PM for lunch
http://extension.missouri.edu/boone
Services: Provides practical, research-based information and learning opportunities (newsletters, workshops, guide sheets, classes, resources, events) on youth development, 4-H Clubs, health nutrition, aging, community development, leadership, agriculture (farming, gardening, soil testing, pesticide, licensing) and Master Gardener Club
Eligibility: Open to all
Fees: Nominal charges for some programs; many available at no charge
Boone Hospital Center
1600 East Broadway Columbia, MO 65201
573-815-8000 Fax 573-815-2638
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
contact: https://www.boone.org/Contact-Us
Services: Full service hospital; medical, surgical and outpatient services; social work for inpatient and outpatient needs; rehab services; maternal/child health services and wellness services; 24 hour emergency room; psychiatric services; physician referral
Eligibility: None
Fees: Varies with service or treatment
Boone Hospital Home Care & Hospice
1605 E Broadway, Suite 250, Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-0555 Fax 573-875-0606
https://boone.health/services/home-care-and-hospice/
Hours: Office: 8 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday; services and staff available 24 hours daily
Services: Intermittent home care; hospice; home medical equipment; oxygen therapy; respiratory services; infusion therapy
Eligibility: Medicare/ Medicaid guidelines
Fees: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self pay
Camp Hickory Hill
P.O. Box 1942, Columbia, MO 65205
573-445-9146
The camp’s mission is to teach children ages 7 to 13 who have juvenile diabetes how to manage and control their disease with help from their families and health providers. The camp is also a place where the campers find peer support.
Cancer Patients Financial Resources
https://www.asbestos.com/cancer/finanical-aid-cancer-patients/
Central Missouri Regional Arthritis Center
1205 University Avenue, Suite 1100, Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-1498 Fax: 573-884-5768
richardsjo@health.missouri.edu
Services: Arthritis education; referrals; exercise and self-management classes; leadership training
Eligibility: No eligibility requirements
Fees: None for most services; small fee for classes
Columbia/Boone County Dept. of Public Health and Human Services
1005 W. Worley Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-7356 Admin 573-874-7355
Emergency/Disease Reporting (24/7) 800-392-0272
Hours: 8-5 pm Monday through Friday
Services:
Birth and Death Certificates (573) 874-7781
Environmental Health (573) 874-7346: restaurant and pool inspections, food handler training, public nuisances
Community Health Services (573) 874-7249: HIV/STD testing and counseling, sexually transmitted disease clinic, pregnancy testing, family planning and women's health services, immunizations, blood pressure and diabetes screening
Social Services (573) 817-6430: medication assistance, utility assistance for families with children, and elderly and disabled, pregnancy counseling and support, home visitation
WIC (573) 874-7384: supplemental food and nutrition for women, infants and children under 5 years who meet eligibility.
Health on Wheels (573) 874-7355: Outreach van that provides free health assessments, COVID-19 test kits, health education on healthy behaviors, blood pressure checks, information and referrals to community resources, and 3 month health coaching with a trained community health worker
Human Services: (573) 817-6430: Administers City of Columbia social services funding for the purchase of social services in Columbia
Animal Control (573) 449-1888
Eligibility: Specific age, residence and income criteria for some services
Appointment required for some services
Fees: Fees applied to most services, some services not denied if unable to pay.
Columbia Mennonite Guest Home
4409 E. St. Charles Rd., Columbia, MO 65201
573-355-1985 or 573-814-2554
ColumbiaMennoniteGuestHome@gmail.com
https://www.columbiaguesthome.org/
A home away from home for outpatients seeking medical treatment at Columbia area hospitals and for family members of hospital patients. This home is operated by the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, to provide a restful place for those away from home due to medical needs. Shuttle service to downtown medical facilities is available. It is staffed by volunteers and funded by donations. All are welcome.
Compass Health - Family Health Center
1001 West Worley, Columbia, MO 65203
573-214-2314 877-677-4342
Compass Health Network - Columbia East
2475 Broadway Bluffs Dr, Ste. 200, Columbia, MO 65201
844-853-8937
https://compasshealthnetwork.org/locations/
Services: Primary healthcare for infants, children, adults, and seniors: health maintenance and preventive care, chronic disease management, family planning, mental health services, medication assistance, healthcare and social service referrals, dental care, language translation
Fee: Sliding scale based on documented household income, Medicaid, MC+, Medicare, some commercial insurance, MO Dept. of Health Show Me Healthy Missourians grant
Eligibility: Anyone experiencing difficulties accessing healthcare, including low-income families, the uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented.
Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital
800 Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
573-814-6000
Truman VA in Columbia, Missouri, serves 43 counties in Missouri as well as Pike County, Illinois, and is one of seven medical center facilities in the VA Heartland Network, a Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). Truman VA provides a full continuum of care in both inpatient and outpatient settings and is committed to excellent patient care, education and research. The facility offers comprehensive care including primary care, medical and surgical specialties, behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy and pharmacy services.
Healthy Blue
800-348-6627
https://www.healthybluemo.com/missouri-home/healthyblue.html
https://www.facebook.com/HealthyBlueMO/
No-cost health insurance with Healthy Blue. Healthy Blue offers these benefits to our members through MO HealthNet Managed Care, the Medicaid program in Missouri.
Our family of Blue has more than three decades of experience in Medicaid, providing access to quality, no-cost healthcare. And now with Healthy Blue, MO HealthNet Managed Care members in Missouri can get Blue, too.
Hearing Aid Helpline (International)
800-521-5247
MedZou Community Health Clinic
105 E. Ash St, Suite 200, Columbia, MO 65203
Scheduling 573-356-2499 Fax 573-884-2736
https://medicine.missouri.edu/education/medzou/
Hours: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursdays
This student-operated medical clinic focuses on providing high quality patient care to uninsured residents of Central Missouri, while also advocating on behalf of our patients regarding access to medical care and other basic needs.
NEW PATIENTS
Thank you for your interest in scheduling an appointment with MedZou. In order to ensure that you receive the best possible medical care, we screen all new patients through the Family Health Center (FHC). Please call the FHC at 573-214-2314 or 877-677-4342. Ask for a social worker and tell them that you need to be screened for MedZou. The FHC will then provide MedZou with the contact information for all screened patients, so that we can contact you to schedule your visit. Please remember to bring the following to your appointment: Photo ID (if available), List of all your current medications.
RETURNING PATIENTS
To schedule an appointment, please call 573-356-2499. Please remember to bring the following to your appointment:
List of all your current medications
Income information (see below)
INCOME INFORMATION
We ask MedZou patients to bring income information to their appointments. We know that this is a sensitive topic for patients, so it is your decision if you would like to bring your financial information. Your income information will not affect your medical care at MedZou. However, it can help you obtain expensive medications for free through the Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) offered by drug companies. Some forms of income information accepted by drug companies are listed below, with the best forms listed first. Last year’s federal tax returns (Form 1040). If you filed taxes last year but don’t have a copy of your form, we can help you obtain a copy. Last month’s wage statements. Proof of unemployment. Proof of food stamps
HOURS AND SERVICES
The MedZou primary care clinic is open every Thursday evening from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Appointments are required and walk-ins are not accepted. Call the MedZou scheduling number for an appointment.
MedZou provides free primary care for uninsured patients in the central Missouri at the weekly regular clinic.
Miracle Ear Foundation
https://www.miracle-ear.com/foundation-eligibility
Missouri CLAIM
601 W Nifong Blvd, Suite 3A, Columbia, MO 65203
800-390-3330
Contact https://www.missouriclaim.org/contact/contact-info/
CLAIM stands for “Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri.” We have been Missouri’s official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) since 1993. All of our services are free, unbiased, and confidential. We are not an insurance agency. We do not sell anything, and CLAIM counselors do not ask for or accept money.
CLAIM has more than 300 volunteer counselors throughout Missouri providing local Medicare counseling in their communities. Volunteers receive extensive training to become certified Medicare counselors, and continue to receive updates and continuing education on a regular basis.
Calling 800-390-3330: Our friendly Contact Center staff will take your name and basic information. Then they will relay that information to one of our local community partners. Within days, a volunteer counselor calls back to set up an appointment or to discuss your Medicare issue by phone.
The helpline is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
Filling out our online contact form: Leave your information using this form 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. This will send an e-mail directly to CLAIM, which will work just like a phone call, only there’s no chance you will have to wait on hold.
Missouri Kidney Program
2800 Maguire Blvd., Ste C202, Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-2506 800-733-7345 Fax 573-882-0167
umhsmokpinfo@health.missouri.edu
The Missouri Kidney Program is a state-funded organization that provides financial assistance for eligible Missourians who have end stage renal disease or have received a kidney transplant. The program also supports education and research, partners with dialysis and transplant centers statewide, and has expertise in health insurance.
Missouri State Dept. of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
873-751-6246 or 800-451-0669 Fax: (573) 751-6237
Hours: 8:00-5:00 (M-F)
http://health.mo.gov/living/families/shcn/?/SHCN/
Services: Provides in-home support for persons over 60 years of age, or physically or mentally disabled adults; immediate assistance for eligible persons who are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; respite care assistance; adult day care; homemaker care; limited nurse visits; personal care services; information and referral
Bureau of Special Health Needs
Services: Special Healthcare Needs: early identification and health services from birth-age 21, Adult Head Injury Services; coordinates services for adults who have sustained traumatic brain injury; Healthy Children and Youth; provides screening, diagnosis, and treatment under Medicaid for those under age 21
Fee: None for those who qualify under financial needs guideline
Eligibility: Specific to individual programs, most have medical or financial eligibility requirements
MO HealthNet Managed Care Enrollment Helpline
800-348-6627
Online: https://apps.dss.mo.gov/mhdOnlineEnroll/
Healthy Blue is a health plan that serves MO HealthNet Managed Care members. We help coordinate and manage your health care needs. Before you can choose Healthy Blue as your health plan, you will need to apply for MO HealthNet Managed Care benefits with the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division.
Fee: Based on income – no cost, co-pay, and/or monthly premiums maybe requirement
Geographic Area Served: 115 Missouri counties
Foreign Languages Spoken: Interpretive services available for all languages
MU Family Impact Center
105 E. Ash, Ste. 200, Columbia, MO 65203
573-882-2428
mufamilyimpact@missouri.edu
https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/mu-family-impact-center
Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday
Exercise: Stay Strong Stay Healthy Program designed to teach older adult safe structured and effective strength training.
Nutrition: Eating From the Garden provides research based information through nutrition and gardening activities, Kids in the Kitchen encourages young people to eat healthier meals and snacks as a result of hands on cooking experiences. Live It! activity based program that motivates and teaches teens to make nutrient-rich food choices. Eating Smart, Being Active nutritional curriculum for adults.
Health: MU Social Services clinic provides integrative behavioral mental health care for persons who are uninsured or those waiting for their coverage to begin. MedZou provides primary care for the uninsured, or those waiting for their coverage to begin.
Financial Literacy: Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides free tax assistance to low income, disabled, homebound, and English as a second language tax payers.
Relationships: Building Strong Families helps families find their strengths, build on those strengths and increase communication.
Housing: Healthy Homes teaches how pollutants get into your home and how it effects your health, as well as inexpensive solutions and steps toward reducing you and your family's risk to exposure of pollutants.
MU Healthcare - University Hospital and Children's Hospital
1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212
873-882-4141 Fax: 573-882-7000
Open 24 hours
Services:
Hospital: inpatient and outpatient care; University Physicians: specialties and clinics;
Emergency Services: Trauma Center, Poison Control, Social Work services available
Eligibility: Medicare/ Medicaid guidelines
Fees: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self pay
MU Pediatric Primary Care and HealthySteps
551 Veterans United Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
573-882-4730
https://www.muhealth.org/conditions-treatments/primary-care/general-pediatrics
HealthySteps Zero To Three National Program https://www.healthysteps.org/who-we-are/
HealthySteps is a pediatric primary care program offered through MU Pediatrics Clinic used to ensure children and families are meeting health milestones and have access to parenting resources. Our HealthySteps specialists work alongside your child’s pediatrician to provide tailored support for common and complex concerns such as behavior, sleep, feeding, attachment, parental depression and adapting to life with a baby or toddler. HealthySteps Specialists are available to meet with families during pediatric appointments and through home visitation according to parents’ availability.
Eligibility: Must be a patient of an MU Pediatrician, Must live in Boone County and meet one other additional criterion listed below: Medicaid recipient, Teen parent, Foster parent, Incarcerated parent, First time parent, Parental mental/Chronic illness, or substance use. Additionally infant must be enrolled prior to 5 months of age. Child/Family is discharged when child turns 3 years old.
MU Women's Hospital
404 N. Keene St, Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-9000
Open 24 hours
https://www.muhealth.org/locations/womens-hospital
University of Missouri Women's and Children's Hospital is Missouri's only hospital offering the most comprehensive care for women and the only hospital facility dedicated completely to children. As the new home of Children's Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital offers more than 30 pediatric specialties to take the best care of our Missouri kids.
Eligibility: Medicare/ Medicaid guidelines
Fees: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self pay
Pet Wellness Alliance
611A Big Bear Blvd, Columbia, MO 65202
573-227-2925
Veterinary care services for companion animals are available, including vaccines, heartworm and fecal testing, blood work, vaccines, behavior support, nutrition consultation and more. Treatment for common conditions, such as ear infections, eye infections, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, fleas/ticks, and skin infections.
Eligibility: No restrictions. Anyone is welcome regardless of income or residency.
Fees: Prices vary by individual service. Payment plans may be available on a case-by-case basis.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains
711 N Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-0427 Fax 573-449-1818
Hours: Closed Sunday and Monday, 11 AM - 7 PM Tuesday, 9 AM - 5 PM Wednesday, 10 AM - 6 PM Thursday,
10 AM - 4 PM Friday, 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Saturday
Services: Family planning services; birth control services; patient education; sexually transmitted infections screening and treatment; reproductive health care; age-appropriate sexuality education; cancer screening; routine physical assessment; prenatal referrals; abortion; community education; pregnancy testing; emergency contraception; Gardasil (cervical cancer) vaccination; transgender hormone therapy
Offers in-person and telehealth appointments
Fee: Sliding Scale
Eligibility: Men, Women and Teens
Rainbow House
1611 Towne Dr. Columbia, MO 65202
573-474-6600 Fax 573-474-5992
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (M-F); Facility: 24 hours daily
Contact https://www.rainbowhousecolumbia.org/contact/
https://rainbowhousecolumbia.org
https://www.facebook.com/RainbowHouse/
Services: Emergency shelter for abused/neglected children; care for children of families in crisis by private agreement; respite care for children in foster homes; Regional Child Advocacy Center provides site for team interviews of victims of child maltreatment, child SAFE exams and advocate services for victims; Sol House transitional living program for ages 16-21; outpatient counseling for individuals and families affected by child abuse; group counseling; child abuse resource library
Fee: None for shelter care, sliding fee or no charge for counseling, Medicaid accepted
Eligibility: Shelter serves children (ages 0-18) and families in crisis (self-referral or Children’s Division referral); Child Advocacy Center is available to law enforcement, DFS, juvenile office, and prosecuting attorney; counseling is open to any individual or family affected by child abuse.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri
1000 W Nifong Blvd, Building 5, Suite 110, Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-7666 Fax: 573-499-0131
Hours: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. daily
contact https://rmhcmidmo.org/contact/
Services: Temporary housing for families with children hospitalized due to illness or accident
Fee: No mandatory fee, all donations welcome
Eligibility: Must have a child in a local health care facility
Rusk Rehabilitation Center
315 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO 65203
573-817-2703 Fax: 573-817-4659
Hours: Outpatient: 8:00a.m. -5:00p.m. (M-F), Inpatient: 24 hours daily
https://encompasshealth.com/locations/ruskrehab/our-programs
contact https://www.encompasshealth.com/locations/ruskrehab/contact-us
Services: Comprehensive medical rehabilitation services for persons with spinal cord and head injury, stroke, amputation, oncology, neuromuscular conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, and pulmonary conditions; acute rehab services for inpatients; outpatient services include brain injury day treatment, pediatrics, and orthopedic/ sports injuries; aquatic therapy; lymph edema therapy
Fee: Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance; payment schedule possible for those without funding
Eligibility: Medical stability sufficient to participate in therapy, outpatient services require physician’s orders
Spectrum Health Care
1123 Wilkes Blvd, Suite 250, Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-8687 800-785-2437
Clinic: 573-514-7312
HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am-12pm and 1-4pm
Please note: A prescreen phone call is required for scheduling an appointment for any services or to enter building.
At Spectrum Health Care, we provide an array of health-related services, accept most insurances including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer a sliding-scale for those uninsured, under-insured, or unemployed. Our clinic offers primary care with referrals to other services as needed, including diagnostics, imagining, dental, vision, orthopedic and psychiatric care.
Free HIV and STD/STI testing
HOUSING ASSISTANCE: We provide long-term assistance in the form of rent and mortgage payments. Additionally, supportive assistance is provided for utilities, emergency housing, rental and utilities deposits, referrals and coordination with case management services.
Geographic Area Served: North-Central Missouri counties
Other Languages Spoken: Spanish
St. Vincent de Paul Society
903 Bernadette Drive, Columbia, MO 65203
573-424-1022, leave message
Hours: Vary
Services: Assistance with rent, utility bill, prescription medication or gasoline
Fee: No fee
Eligibility: Columbia residents in need
University Hospital and Physicians
573-882-4141
Multiple Locations: http://www.muhealth.org/locations/
http://www.muhealth.org/providers/university-physicians/
University Physicians is mid-Missouri’s largest multi-specialty group. With almost 500 physicians trained in nearly 75 specialties and sub-specialties, our physicians provide world-class care in your own backyard. University Physicians also serve as faculty members at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, teaching medical students and residents and conducting research. This allows our physicians to provide you the latest advances in medicine. University Physicians offer primary and specialty care at a number of clinic sites in Columbia and in communities throughout the state.
Eligibility: Medicare/ Medicaid guidelines
Fees: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self pay
Vision:
EyeCare America celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It offers its services through 7,000 volunteer Eye M.D.s. Seniors who have not had an eye exam for three years may be eligible for eye exams and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost. Uninsured patients at increased risk for glaucoma who have not had an eye exam for 12 months may be eligible for a free glaucoma eye exam. Patients must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and cannot belong to an HMO or have eye care coverage through the VA. Medications, eyeglasses and surgery aren’t covered, but ECA’s website lists an A to Z of prescription assistance programs. ECA is an Academy Foundation program. (www.eyecareamerica.org)
Lions Clubs may pay for eye exams and eyeglasses. https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/columbia2020mo/
Low-cost eyeglasses online. Patients can obtain single-vision prescription eyeglasses for as little as $8 (plus shipping) from online optical dispensaries. Higher levels of refractive error may cost more. Patients will need to understand how frames are sized, pupil-to-pupil distances, etc. Websites include www.zennioptical.com, www.selectspecs.com and www.39dollarglasses.com.
New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for eyeglasses for adults and children but recently has had funding problems. Requests must come from a social worker, agency or school nurse working with patients. https://new-eyes.org/
OneSight provides free in-store exams and eyewear at LensCrafters retail stores, and mobile clinics. Can provide free exams and glasses to adults with no insurance. Must be referred by a social service agency. https://onesight.org/
Prevent Blindness America partners with providers of eye care and optical services providers to refer patients for free eye exams and eyeglasses. (800-331-2020; www.preventblindness.org)
SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) provides children from low-income families with medical exams, eyeglasses, medications and other services at little or no cost. Access is through state Medicaid offices. (877-543-7669) https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/607
Sight for Students operates nationally through community partners, providing free eye exams and eyeglasses to children (up to age 18) if family income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. (800-290-4964; www.sightforstudents.org)
Voluntary Action Center (VAC)
403A Vandiver Drive, Columbia, MO 65202
573-874-2273 Fax 573-874-9172
Services Provided: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - noon & 1 - 4 p.m. Appointments only on Mon, Tues, and Thur. Walk-ins Wed and Fri.
SERVICES: Financial Assistance with: Missouri Birth Certificates, Photo IDs, Prescriptions, Medical and Dental Copayments, Food Handler Cards required by employer, Baby Formula for WIC clients, Gas for work and medical appointments, Work Uniforms required for new employment, Car Repair for employed individuals, Rent and Motel Assistance (based on availability and grant guidelines)
In-Kind Assistance: Emergency Food, Hygiene Products, Feminine Hygiene Products, Household Cleaning Products, Diapers and Wipes, Go COMO Bus Tickets, Clothing Vouchers, Safe Kids Car Seat Vouchers
Seasonal Programs: Homes for Computers (school-age children), Window Air Conditioner Exchange, Summer Fans, Lunch in the Park (summer lunch for school-age children), Back to School Health Fair (school supplies for school-age children), Warm Up Columbia (winter clothing), Holiday Program (holiday gifts and meals)
ELIGIBILITY: Client must be a current Boone County resident and gross income for everyone living at the Address must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.