Information, Referral and Assistance
General Information, Referral, Learning and Assistance
Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging 1-800-232-0707 www.arrowheadaging.org Information and assistance as well as Older Americans Act funding administration, community planning and service development.
Koochiching Aging Options 1-218-283-7030 or 1-800-950-4630 For information, referral and services to older adults and their caregivers in Koochiching County. Email KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com . Located at 1000 Fifth Street International Falls, MN 56649.
Koochiching County Department of Health and Human Services 1-218-283-7070 Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
MinnesotaHelp.info© 1-800-333-2433 www.MinnesotaHelp.info Online access to statewide community resources, especially rich in information for older adults and their caregivers. Includes a list of topics.
Minnesota Board on Aging 1-800-882-6262 www.mnaging.org Click on "Health Care Choices" for statewide information, referral and funding.
Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 or locally 1-218-285-9156 Information and assistance to help older adults and their families find community services. Includes prescription assistance, Medicare and other insurance issues, housing, long-term care options and health insurance counseling. Located locally at 900 Fifth Street, Suite 202, International Falls, MN 56649.
Adult Learning
55-Alive Defensive Driving Classes 1-218-283-2571, ext 186 or 109. Located at 1515 11th Street, International Falls, MN 56649 .
Adult Basic Education 1-218-283-9575 Adults work free of charge at their own pace in an informal setting to improve skills, including GED preparation and basic computer skills as well as Driver’s License Exams. Backus Community Center, 900 Fifth Street, Room 104, International Falls, MN 56649.
Big Falls Community Education 1-218-276-2283 bigfalls@paulbunyan.net Located at 410 2nd Street NW,
Big Falls, MN 56627.
Community Education ISD #361 1-218-283-2571, ext 186 or 109 www.isd361.k12.mn.us/communityed ; email: bjohnson@isd361.k12.mn.us Includes Defensive Driving courses, Adult Basic Education, Falls High School swimming pool schedules. Located at 1515 11th Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Littlefork Community Education and Recreation Commission 1-218-278-4422 Littleforkcerc@hotmail.com Office located in City Hall, 901 Main Street, Littlefork, MN 56653.
Northome Community Education 1-218-897-5275 sgross@northome.k12.mn.us Located at PO Box 465, Hwy 1, Northome, MN 56661.
Rainy River Community College 1-218-285-7722 or toll free 1-800-456-3996 www.rrcc.mnscu.edu For general and Continuing Education courses.
Advocacy
AARP 1-800-424-3410
Minnesota Office of Health Facilities Complaints 1-800-369-7994 www.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us Provides consumer protection in health care facilities.
Office of Ombudsmen for Long-Term Care 1-800-657-3591 www.mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/services/ombudsman/. Helps to enhance the quality of life and services for individuals receiving care and supportive services at home and outside the home. P.O. Box 64971, St. Paul, MN 55164-0971.
Assessment/Coordination of Service (Long-term care)
Long Term Care Consultation 1-218-283-7000 Koochiching County Department of Health and Human Services. Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Caregiver Support
Koochiching Caregiver Consultant Program 1-218-283-7030 or 1-800-950-4630 KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com Providing assessment, support and education for those giving care to an individual 60 years old or older, or to someone with a dementia. Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Disability
Access North: Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota 1-800-390-3681 (main office in Hibbing).www.accessnorth.net Providing for those with disabilities: advocacy, independent living skills, information and referral, and peer/group support as well as Personal Care Assistance program, consumer directed community supports and other services. Main office located at 1309 East 40th Street, Hibbing, MN 55746.
Disability Linkage Line 1-866-333-2466 or www.mndisability.gov Information, referral and assistance network for individuals of all ages.
Employment
Minnesota WorkForce Center International Falls, 218-283-9427. Employment and volunteer opportunities at www.minnesotaworks.net Training opportunities, workshops, and job search assistance. Work program for eligible adults 55 years of age and older. Website: www.positivelyminnesota.com
Located on the Rainy River Community College campus at 1501 Highway 71, SC 128, International Falls, MN 56649.
Energy and Financial Assistance (see Social Supports page)
Information Services
ARDC's Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging 1-800-333-2433 Senior LinkAge Line© and minnesotahelp.info or at arrowheadaging.org Located 221 West First Street, Duluth MN 55802.
The Senior Reporter 1-218-624-4949 the seniorreporter.org and haceditor@cloud.com. Monthly magazine about active aging and producer of the Itasca-Koochiching County Aging Resource Guide.
Insurance
Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (HICAP) and Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 Telephone information and assistance to help older adults and their families find and understand services. Includes prescription and health insurance counseling. In Koochiching County call Karen Tveit at 1-218-285-9156. Located at 900 Fifth Street, Suite 202, International Falls, MN 56649.
Legal Services
Minnesota Legal Services 1-800-886-3270 or 1-218-749-3270 www.mnlegalservices.org Free legal information/advice for people 60+ who meet income guidelines (housing, public benefits, family law, consumer matters). For Itasca and Koochiching County contact Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Olcott Plaza, Suite 150, 820 North 9th Street, Virginia, MN 55792.
Libraries and Resource Centers
International Falls Public Library 1-218-283-8051 750 Fourth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Northome Library 1-218-897-5952 Located at 12064 Main Street, Northome, MN 56661.
Rainy River Community College 1-218-285-2220 Located at 1501 Highway 71, International Falls, MN 56649.
Retirement and Social Security
AARP 1-888-687-2277 or www.aarp.com
Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 or 1-218-285-9156 or www.MinnesotaHelp.info . Information and assistance to help older adults and their families find services, obtain counseling on insurance and other aging related concerns. Located locally at 900 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov . Located locally at 2900 Hannan Avenue NW, Bemidji, MN 566010.
Veterans
Koochiching County Veterans Services 1-218-283-1179 or candance.ritch@co.koochiching.mn.us Located at Koochiching County Courthouse, 715 Fourth Street, International Falls MN 56649.
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) 1-218-722-8763 Located at 5209 Ramsey Street, Duluth, MN 55807.
Veterans Linkage Line© 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838).
Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging 1-800-232-0707 www.arrowheadaging.org Information and assistance as well as Older Americans Act funding administration, community planning and service development.
Koochiching Aging Options 1-218-283-7030 or 1-800-950-4630 For information, referral and services to older adults and their caregivers in Koochiching County. Email KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com . Located at 1000 Fifth Street International Falls, MN 56649.
Koochiching County Department of Health and Human Services 1-218-283-7070 Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
MinnesotaHelp.info© 1-800-333-2433 www.MinnesotaHelp.info Online access to statewide community resources, especially rich in information for older adults and their caregivers. Includes a list of topics.
Minnesota Board on Aging 1-800-882-6262 www.mnaging.org Click on "Health Care Choices" for statewide information, referral and funding.
Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 or locally 1-218-285-9156 Information and assistance to help older adults and their families find community services. Includes prescription assistance, Medicare and other insurance issues, housing, long-term care options and health insurance counseling. Located locally at 900 Fifth Street, Suite 202, International Falls, MN 56649.
Adult Learning
55-Alive Defensive Driving Classes 1-218-283-2571, ext 186 or 109. Located at 1515 11th Street, International Falls, MN 56649 .
Adult Basic Education 1-218-283-9575 Adults work free of charge at their own pace in an informal setting to improve skills, including GED preparation and basic computer skills as well as Driver’s License Exams. Backus Community Center, 900 Fifth Street, Room 104, International Falls, MN 56649.
Big Falls Community Education 1-218-276-2283 bigfalls@paulbunyan.net Located at 410 2nd Street NW,
Big Falls, MN 56627.
Community Education ISD #361 1-218-283-2571, ext 186 or 109 www.isd361.k12.mn.us/communityed ; email: bjohnson@isd361.k12.mn.us Includes Defensive Driving courses, Adult Basic Education, Falls High School swimming pool schedules. Located at 1515 11th Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Littlefork Community Education and Recreation Commission 1-218-278-4422 Littleforkcerc@hotmail.com Office located in City Hall, 901 Main Street, Littlefork, MN 56653.
Northome Community Education 1-218-897-5275 sgross@northome.k12.mn.us Located at PO Box 465, Hwy 1, Northome, MN 56661.
Rainy River Community College 1-218-285-7722 or toll free 1-800-456-3996 www.rrcc.mnscu.edu For general and Continuing Education courses.
Advocacy
AARP 1-800-424-3410
Minnesota Office of Health Facilities Complaints 1-800-369-7994 www.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us Provides consumer protection in health care facilities.
Office of Ombudsmen for Long-Term Care 1-800-657-3591 www.mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/services/ombudsman/. Helps to enhance the quality of life and services for individuals receiving care and supportive services at home and outside the home. P.O. Box 64971, St. Paul, MN 55164-0971.
Assessment/Coordination of Service (Long-term care)
Long Term Care Consultation 1-218-283-7000 Koochiching County Department of Health and Human Services. Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Caregiver Support
Koochiching Caregiver Consultant Program 1-218-283-7030 or 1-800-950-4630 KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com Providing assessment, support and education for those giving care to an individual 60 years old or older, or to someone with a dementia. Located at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Disability
Access North: Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota 1-800-390-3681 (main office in Hibbing).www.accessnorth.net Providing for those with disabilities: advocacy, independent living skills, information and referral, and peer/group support as well as Personal Care Assistance program, consumer directed community supports and other services. Main office located at 1309 East 40th Street, Hibbing, MN 55746.
Disability Linkage Line 1-866-333-2466 or www.mndisability.gov Information, referral and assistance network for individuals of all ages.
Employment
Minnesota WorkForce Center International Falls, 218-283-9427. Employment and volunteer opportunities at www.minnesotaworks.net Training opportunities, workshops, and job search assistance. Work program for eligible adults 55 years of age and older. Website: www.positivelyminnesota.com
Located on the Rainy River Community College campus at 1501 Highway 71, SC 128, International Falls, MN 56649.
Energy and Financial Assistance (see Social Supports page)
Information Services
ARDC's Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging 1-800-333-2433 Senior LinkAge Line© and minnesotahelp.info or at arrowheadaging.org Located 221 West First Street, Duluth MN 55802.
The Senior Reporter 1-218-624-4949 the seniorreporter.org and haceditor@cloud.com. Monthly magazine about active aging and producer of the Itasca-Koochiching County Aging Resource Guide.
Insurance
Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (HICAP) and Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 Telephone information and assistance to help older adults and their families find and understand services. Includes prescription and health insurance counseling. In Koochiching County call Karen Tveit at 1-218-285-9156. Located at 900 Fifth Street, Suite 202, International Falls, MN 56649.
Legal Services
Minnesota Legal Services 1-800-886-3270 or 1-218-749-3270 www.mnlegalservices.org Free legal information/advice for people 60+ who meet income guidelines (housing, public benefits, family law, consumer matters). For Itasca and Koochiching County contact Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Olcott Plaza, Suite 150, 820 North 9th Street, Virginia, MN 55792.
Libraries and Resource Centers
International Falls Public Library 1-218-283-8051 750 Fourth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Northome Library 1-218-897-5952 Located at 12064 Main Street, Northome, MN 56661.
Rainy River Community College 1-218-285-2220 Located at 1501 Highway 71, International Falls, MN 56649.
Retirement and Social Security
AARP 1-888-687-2277 or www.aarp.com
Senior LinkAge Line© 1-800-333-2433 or 1-218-285-9156 or www.MinnesotaHelp.info . Information and assistance to help older adults and their families find services, obtain counseling on insurance and other aging related concerns. Located locally at 900 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649.
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov . Located locally at 2900 Hannan Avenue NW, Bemidji, MN 566010.
Veterans
Koochiching County Veterans Services 1-218-283-1179 or candance.ritch@co.koochiching.mn.us Located at Koochiching County Courthouse, 715 Fourth Street, International Falls MN 56649.
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) 1-218-722-8763 Located at 5209 Ramsey Street, Duluth, MN 55807.
Veterans Linkage Line© 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838).