Local Resources

If you or someone you care for is experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call Ozarks Healthcare's Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) team at 417-505-7845 for immediate assistance. 988 is the national suicide and crisis lifeline and can be reached by phone or text with 24/7 support. There is no cost for crisis hotline support or crisis assessments.

Community-based services for mental health needs including counseling, medication services, and case management services for adults and children. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay on a sliding fee scale. Call to confirm coverage. **Note: BHC usually has a long waitlist for therapy (up to 1 year), but there is typically no waitlist for their free case management program, which provides mental health support to students at school or in their home. To receive a referral for free case management services, reach out to Mrs. Tucker (ktucker@richardsschool.k12.mo.us).**

Southern Missouri Community Health Center currently has three in-house therapists to address mental health needs. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial insurances, self-pay, and a sliding fee scale for those who qualify. Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. Note: There is sometimes a 1-2 month waitlist for therapy services.

The Porch is a group of licensed therapists and counselors who are able to serve children, individuals, couples, and families. Payment options vary by therapist, but they typically accept Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay, and sliding fee scale. Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. People are typically placed with a therapist within 1-2 weeks. The Porch does not keep a waitlist, so you may need to call back weekly to inquire about availability. 

Rochelle Smith is a licensed professional counselor who provides therapy to children (8+), adults, and couples. Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurance plans, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. Appointments available Monday -Thursday, 8am-3pm.

Wendy Collins is a licensed social worker who provides therapy to individuals and couples. Payment options include Medicaid and self-pay ($80-$100 per session). Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. Appointments available Fridays, Saturdays, and some evenings.

Christy Jackson is a licensed professional counselor who provides therapy to children, adults, and families. Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurance plans, and self-pay ($85/session). Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. Appointments available Monday - Thursday, 9am-4pm. Afternoon appointments are limited.

Jenny Long, PsyD. Licensed Psychologist
306 Davis Dr Ste 104, West Plains, 417-255-8790
https://midwestca.com/
Midwest Counseling and Assessment provides psychological assessments and counseling. Payment is typically self-pay only ($125-$175 per session), but their services are sometimes covered by Aetna, Optum, and Cigna insurance plans. Call to confirm coverage and request an appointment. Assessments offered: IQ assessment, personality measures, medical procedure readiness, mental health diagnosis, memory and executive functioning tests, career assessment, and pre-adoption evaluation. They do not currently offer evaluations for specific learning disabilities, disability determination, or forensic evaluations such as parental fitness or custody determination.

 

Christos House provides a variety of services to survivors of domestic violence, including emergency shelter and assistance in leaving an abusive relationship. For immediate crisis help, call 1-800-611-5853. For help with clothing, diapers, parenting classes, rent assistance, utility assistance, and more, call the Outreach Services team at 417-256-3408. Christos House is able to help board pets while their owners are staying in the shelter.

Agape House helps survivors of domestic violence by providing: emergency shelter, transportation, legal assistance, deposit assistance, support groups, parenting classes, and more. Agape House cannot help board pets at this time.

Harmony House
Springfield, 417-864-7233 (24/7 Hotline)
The shelter facility is located in Springfield, but Harmony House can provide support services to the Howell County area, including safety planning, shelter referrals, and resource navigation. Harmony House is able to help board pets while their owners are staying in a shelter. For safety reasons, Harmony House does not accept walk-ins. Please call the 24/7 hotline at 417-864-7233 to access services.

 

National Deaf Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline: 855-812-1001 (video phone)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

Safe at Home keeps the addresses of victims of domestic violence safe by providing a free mail forwarding service. Potential participants must meet in-person with a registered Application Assistant from one of the agencies listed here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/Business/SafeAtHome/FindHelp/Map.htm. Call 866-509-1409 for more information.

 

Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial insurances, and self-pay, with discounted fees available to those that qualify. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial insurances, and self-pay, with discounted fees available to those that qualify. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Physician referral required beforehand. Payment options include Medicaid and private insurance. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Physician referral required beforehand. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Physician referral required beforehand. Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Autism diagnosis required beforehand. Payment options include Medicaid, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

 

Burton Creek’s walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week, no appointment necessary. They have several providers who specialize in family practice, obstetrics, ultrasounds, mental health, and more. They accept most insurances and they offer a sliding fee scale for services based on income and eligibility. Call to confirm coverage. 

Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial insurances, and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

For a complete list of services, assistance finding a physician, or for more information, please call or visit their website. Payment options include Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

Provides adolescent substance abuse treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings. For a complete list of services, please call or visit their website. Payment options include Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay. Call to confirm coverage. 

https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/services/at-home/
Ozarks Healthcare At Home provides home healthcare and hospice care in Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Douglas, Shannon, Texas, and Wright counties in Missouri. For a complete list of services and for payment and insurance information, please call or visit their website. 

The CYSHCN Program provides assistance statewide for children and youth with special health care needs from birth to age 21. The program focuses on early identification and service coordination for children and youth who meet medical eligibility guidelines. As payor of last resort, the program provides limited funding for medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services for children whose families also meet financial eligibility guidelines. Call to confirm eligibility.

 

If you need assistance in paying for a vision examination and/or eyeglasses, please reach out to Mrs. Tucker for a Lions Club Assistance Program referral: ktucker@richardsschool.k12.mo.us.

 

Provides food assistance, healthcare assistance, financial assistance, child care assistance, utility assistance, and more for individuals and families who meet their income requirements. Call or visit their website for more information.

 

Provides up to 6 months of shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Samaritan Outreach Center also offers case management, job training referrals, mental health support, and housing assistance. Call for more information.

Visit the office to apply for public housing opportunities outside the city limits of West Plains. Ozark Action Inc also offers energy assistance, health insurance assistance, tax assistance, employment assistance, and more. 

Visit the office to apply for public housing opportunities within the city limits of West Plains.

Breckenridge Apartments
2400 McFarland Dr. West Plains, 417-256-8740

Clayridge Apartments
1300 Seminole St. West Plains, 417-257-1195 or 417-293-4845

Grisham Properties
215 E. Main West Plains, 417-256-7159

MACO Management Company, Inc.
1488 W. 8th St. West Plains, 417-255-9556

Seminole Apartments
892 S. Thayer Ave. West Plains, 417-256-1595

** Many landlords post rental openings on the Facebook group “Homes for Rent Within 25 Miles of West Plains”. Additionally, several realtors manage rental properties around West Plains. Complete a Google search for an up-to-date list of local realtors. **

 

Visit the office to apply for utility assistance. Ozark Action Inc also offers housing assistance, health insurance assistance, tax assistance, employment assistance, and more. 

Provides free phones and free phone service (including data) to eligible low-income households. They don't specify income limits, but households who receive government assistance should apply using the website. Access Wireless uses TMobile towers. If adding service to an existing phone, phone must be “unlocked” (not on a payment plan).

Provides eligible households with discounted internet and phone plans through participating companies. Eligible if already receiving government assistance or if income is less than 135% Federal Poverty Guidelines, etc.). Apply through the website.

Offers an internet plan for $15 per month and affordable laptops and computers for qualifying households. Eligible if already receiving government assistance or if income is less than 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines, etc.). Internet plan does require purchase or rental of a hotspot device (hotspot pricing isn’t posted on the website). Uses T-Mobile towers. Apply through the website.

Offers an unlimited internet plan for $14.99 per month for qualifying households. Eligible if already receiving government assistance or if income is less than 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines, etc.). Does require purchase or rental of a hotspot device (hotspot pricing isn’t posted on the website). Uses T-Mobile towers.

Provides eligible households with discounted internet and phone plans through participating companies. Eligible if already receiving government assistance or if income is less than 135% Federal Poverty Guidelines, etc.). Apply through the website.

** Many utility companies will set up payment plans to help customers get current on their utility bills over time. Call your utility company and request a payment plan if you are falling behind on payments. **

 

Bridges is a West Plains School District program that provides clothing, hygiene items, food, and more to students in need in West Plains and the surrounding rural districts (Richards included). Bridges has limited hours, so it’s best to call before visiting.

Provides free twin-size beds to children ages 3-17 who do not have their own bed or bed frame. Visit their website to apply, or ask Mrs. Tucker for a referral.

In addition to emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence, Christos House provides help with clothing, household goods, diapers, parenting classes, rent assistance, utility assistance, and more to survivors of domestic violence.

 

Provides information about all of the available transportation programs in Howell County.

The West Plains Transit System (WPTS) operates three 16-passenger buses within the city limits of West Plains. The service is available to the public between 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday except for city holidays. Call or visit their website for route and fare information. Call to schedule curb-to-curb service.

** There are several rental car companies in the West Plains area. Please Google “rental car companies” for a complete list. **

 

https://www.zizzers.org/departments/early-childhood-education/early-childhood-special-education

Ozark Action Inc offers a Family Support Program to help individuals complete their HSE/GED, as well as a Workforce Development program to help individuals complete certifications and acquire employment in various trades. Ozark Action Inc also offers housing assistance, utility assistance, health insurance assistance, tax assistance, and more. 

Disabled individuals who are seeking employment, advancement in their current job, or need assistance in keeping their current job may be eligible for services. Call or visit their office to determine eligibility and apply for services.