Instructions: If your client answers yes to this question, provide the number to the local Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-522-SAFE (7233). You may need to explain the term “abusive situation”. See the Domestic Violence Resources for more information.

For information about Domestic Violence including interviewing tips, guidelines, and resource information, please contact the Domestic Violence Resource page.

Instructions: If your client answers yes to this question, provide the number to the local Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-522-SAFE (7233).

You may need to explain the term “abusive situation”. See the Domestic Violence Resource for more information.

For information about Domestic Violence including interviewing tips, guidelines, and resource information, please contact the Domestic Violence Resource page.

Instructions: If your client answers yes to this question, provide the number to the local Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-522-SAFE (7233).

You may need to explain the term “abusive situation”. See the Domestic Violence Resource for more information.

For information about Domestic Violence including interviewing tips, guidelines, and resource information, please contact the Domestic Violence Resource page.

Instructions: If your client answers yes to this question, please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health for information about family planning and birth control services.

Instructions: Chemical dependency is a family disease affecting the chemically dependent person, as well as other family members. Common symptoms of chemically dependent individuals are low self-esteem, thinking only in extremes, and compulsive behaviors.

For more information about chemical dependency contact the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Instructions: Determine and access the living arrangements of the family. You may want to ask the client, “What type of living arrangement would you prefer to the arrangement you presently have? What would it take for you to relocate?

For more information about affordable housing programs see the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency website or Oklahoma 211.

Instructions: The applicant may be in need of food immediately even if they are not eligible for expedited services. Ask if the household has enough food or resources to purchase food while a decision is being made on their case. If they do not or if it appears that they may not be eligible for food benefits at all, offer a referral to a local food pantry to help satisfy their need. To find food pantries in the area visit Oklahoma 211 for more information.

Instructions:Family illness of a serious nature may interfere with family functioning. You may want to ask the client, “What effect does this illness have on you? Do you have to stay home to care for this person? For help with ongoing health issues visit Oklahoma 211 for community resources.

Instructions:Many people seek mental health treatment in times of high stress. A family making application for TANF is under high stress. Asses the client’s functioning level and, perhaps, discuss counseling or treatment with client. You may want to ask the client, “Have you considered counseling? Are you willing to discuss your (or your family members’) history of mental health difficulties?

For help with counseling / treatment visit the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website.

Instructions:The client may need help locating and/or contacting a physician. If managed care is not in effect in the area, the family may need information about physicians in the area who accept Medicaid payments. You may want to ask the client, “Do you have a family physician or regular doctor? If you or a family member were ill, who would you contact?

For help finding a doctor who accepts Medicare and Medicaid, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

For those without any health insurance visit Oklahoma 211 to find information about free or reduced price medical services.

Instructions: If the applicant seems to want to talk about something which was not covered elsewhere, this is the time to give them the opportunity to do so. If time is limited, plan an appointment to talk about the issue(s) in more detail. Assure the client you want to help in any way possible. Encourage the client to contact you if there is anything he/she would like to discuss, or if there are questions. You may want to ask the client, “What other social service needs do you have? Is there anything else about you or your family that prevents you from attaining self-sufficiency? Is there anything else I should know to help you reach your goal?”

Instructions: Please visit the Oklahoma Works website for assistance, more information and resources to help with job search.

Instructions:Ask the individual, “If you are a smoker or use tobacco, would you like some help quitting?” If the individual is a tobacco user who declines the offer of help, say, “That’s ok. If you ever decide to quit, we have some resources that might make it easier for you.”

Resources are available at the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline

Instructions:You may say something like:

“Anyone who gambles can develop problems if they are not aware of the risks and do not gamble responsibly. With your permission, I would like to give you an overview of some of the indications of problem or compulsive gambling behavior.”

If the individual requests that you do not provide the overview you can say something like, “That’s ok. If you ever want more information about problem gambling, please let us know and we can provide that for you.”

If they say it’s okay to give the overview, continue:

“The indications of problem or compulsive gambling behavior include:

• If you have gambled longer than you had planned.
• If you often gamble until all of your money is gone.
• If thinking about gambling causes you to lose sleep.
• If you use your money to gamble instead of using it to pay bills.
• If you have tried before to stop gambling, but couldn’t.
• If you have ever felt depressed or suicidal about gambling.
• If you ever tried to gamble to get enough money to pay your bills.”

After providing the overview, ask “Would you like information about how to quit gambling?”

If they say no, you may say something like, “That’s ok. If you ever want more information about problem gambling, please let us know and we can provide that for you.

If they say yes, you can go to Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling and print a list of Oklahoma Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and provide the Gamblers Anonymous hotline numbers:

Oklahoma (state-wide) 855-2CALLGA (855-222-5542), or Tulsa (918) 760-4349, or 211 (Heartline 211)

Instructions:You may want to say something like, “Parents often wonder if their child’s development is typical. “Would you like some information that can help you encourage your child’s development, information that can let you know typical behaviors of children that are his or her age?”

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for tools and resources to assist with Developmental Monitoring and Screening. Print off the appropriate “Positive Parenting Tips” sheet for the children in the household.

Instructions:If the recipient is currently using child care or requesting child care, you may want to ask, “Would you like help finding a quality child care?” For more information about finding quality child care, please provide a copy of the OKDHS pamphlet, “Look for the stars when choosing child care!”