Southern Illinois Healthcare Launches “FindHelp” Resource
The first recommendation in the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 30 Action Plan is to, “Support existing regional efforts to create a comprehensive and readily available online resource directory and referral platform.” After Council members (who are local community members) expressed a need for an online platform for parents and caregivers to find resources, the Region 30 Team and Councils collaborated with the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families and Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) to support the rollout of “FindHelp”. In addition to holding a seat on the Find Help Southern Illinois (SI) Implementation Team, the Region 30 Team and Councils are helping to promote “FindHelp” across the Region, already having distributed 250 postcards between January and March 2026.
March 17, 2026
Original coverage in WSIL News 3 by Mike Mohunro.
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), in partnership with several regional organizations, has launched a new online tool designed to help residents quickly find essential services across Southern Illinois.
The platform, called FindHelp, connects individuals and families with thousands of local, state and national programs offering assistance with food, housing, transportation, mental health, financial support and other needs.
SIH developed the resource in collaboration with community partners including the Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network and the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families to make it easier for residents to access support during difficult times.
Users can search the platform by ZIP code to locate programs and services available in their area. Listings provide program descriptions, contact information and eligibility details when available, allowing individuals to quickly connect with the help they need.
“Far too often, people feel overwhelmed when they’re facing hardship,” said Angie Bailey, SIH director of community health and community benefits. “FindHelp gives our communities a starting point and a trusted place to turn when they aren’t sure where to go.”
Fatoumata Saidou Hangadoumbo, SIH community health coordinator, said the platform is designed to simplify the search for assistance.
“FindHelpSI gives our communities a starting point and a trusted place to turn when they aren’t sure where to go,” Hangadoumbo said.
Connecting Residents to Critical Services
Through the site, residents can explore resources across several categories, including:
Food assistance
Housing and utility support
Transportation services
Behavioral health and substance use resources
Financial and legal assistance
Childcare and family services
Employment and education opportunities
Community leaders say the platform helps remove barriers that often prevent people from finding help.
“Every community member deserves access to the basic supports that help them live healthy, stable lives,” said Lori Longueville of the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families. “FindHelp removes barriers by putting essential information at people’s fingertips. We are excited to collaborate with SIH and many others to bring this valuable resource to our community.”
Supporting Community Health Goals
The launch of FindHelp also aligns with SIH’s broader mission to improve health and well-being throughout Southern Illinois. Officials said the tool supports priorities identified in the SIH Community Health Needs Assessment, including improving food security, behavioral health access and connections to essential services.
SIH worked alongside partners from public health, education, nonprofit and social service organizations to develop the platform for regional use.
“Our work on this project reflects what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared purpose,” Bailey said. “By collaborating with community partners, we’ve built a tool that will make a lasting impact across our region.”
Accessing the Resource
Residents can begin searching for assistance immediately through the FindHelp website. No account or referral is required to use the platform.
“If someone needs help, whether it’s today or six months from now, we want them to find it quickly, easily and without judgment,” Bailey said. “That’s what FindHelp makes possible.”
Additional organizations supporting the initiative include the Area VI McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program, Carbondale Elementary School District 95, Herrin Community Unit School District #4 Family Outreach Program and the Carbondale Community Cabinet.
Officials say the collaborative effort reflects a regional commitment to ensuring residents can easily find the help they need when they need it most.