What if I am not sure?
Content added June 25, 2025
If you are not sure what to do, and you don't have one of the serious conditions listed above, call your health care provider. If the office is not open, your phone call may be forwarded to a nurse or other provider who is on call for the clinic. Describe your symptoms to the provider who answers your call, and find out what you should do.
Your provider or health insurance company may also offer a nurse telephone advice hotline. Call this number and tell the nurse your symptoms and ask for advice on what to do.
If you don’t have a health care provider or health insurance, call one of the following sliding fee scale clinics and ask for an appointment.
When to go to Urgent Care
Content added June 25, 2025
When you have a problem, do not wait too long to get medical care. If your problem is not life threatening or risking disability, but you are concerned and you cannot see your provider soon enough, go to an urgent care clinic.
The kinds of problems an urgent care clinic can deal with include:
Common mild illnesses, such as colds, the flu, earaches, sore throats, migraines, low-grade fevers, and limited rashes
Minor injuries, such as sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, or minor eye injuries
When to go to Emergency Room or call 911
Content added June 25, 2025
Coughing or throwing up blood
Deep wound
Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
Heavy bleeding
High fever with headache and stiff neck
High fever that does not get better with medicine
Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes
Passing out, fainting
Pain in the arm or jaw
Poisoning or overdose of medicine, illegal drug, or alcohol
Possible broken bone, loss of movement, particularly if the bone is pushing through the skin
Seizures
Serious burn
Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
Severe pain anywhere on the body
Sudden confusion
Throwing up or loose stools that does not stop
Trouble breathing
Unusual or bad headache, particularly if it started suddenly
When to call 911
Content added June 25, 2025
When to call 911
Choking
Stopped breathing
Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion
Injury to neck or spine, particularly if there is loss of feeling or inability to move
Electric shock or lightning strike
Severe burn
Severe chest pain or pressure
Severe shortness of breath
Seizure that lasted more than 1 minute or from which the person does not rapidly awaken
Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move
Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body
Family Resources Pocket Family Guide
Content added June 25, 2025
Contact and other information on almost 30 local mental health resources. See list of programs.
Elder Justice - National Center on Law and Elder Rights
Content added June 13, 2025
The National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) provides the legal services and aging and disability communities with the tools and resources they need to serve older adults with the greatest economic and social needs. A centralized, one-stop shop for legal assistance, NCLER provides Legal Training, Case Consultations, and Technical Assistance on Legal Systems Development. Justice in Aging administers NCLER through a contract with the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging.
Good and Cheap Recipe Book
Content added June 13, 2025
This cookbook is based off eating healthy, making recipes, that cost $4 per day per person, to adhere to SNAP guidelines. It has a variety of types of meals and recipes and nice photos.
For more information on the book, go to Good and Cheap.
Free Cars for Mom
Content added June 10, 2025
Cars for Moms is a nationwide charity that provides transportation, vehicles, and car repairs for single parents who need help with reliable transportation. People donate cash or cars to support single moms in need.
To qualify, you need a nomination for a donated car. You can nominate yourself, or someone can nominate you.
Cars for Moms vets all nominees and checks with partners in your state to see if there are donated cars to give away. If there are no cars available, the nonprofit saves your information until they are able to help.
FreeCharityCars.org
Content added June 10, 2025
FreeCharityCars.org is the free car division of 1-800-Charity Cars, a nonprofit organization that accepts donated vehicles to be given to families who are without transportation. The organization has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America and in People magazine. The company has gifted more than $70 Million worth of vehicles nationwide.
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture - Produce Prescription Program
Content added June 9, 2025
To participate in Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture’s Produce Prescription Program, you will need to be a patient at Compass Health Network who lives in Boone County and has children 19 and younger in your household. Healthcare providers at Compass Health can then "prescribe" fresh fruits and vegetables to eligible patients. The program is now administered by Columbia Farmers Market, starting January 11, 2025.
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
PO Box 1742
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 514-4174
Email: info@columbiaurbanag.org
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
Those in need of social services. Please Note: This is not an emergency assistance program.
Content updated Feb. 27, 2026
Our mission is to promote and protect the health, safety and well-being of Boone County residents. We do this through leadership, partnership and service by coordinating with federal, state and local organizations to achieve our vision of optimal health, safety and well-being for all. Learn more. More information is available via Columbia’s My Key website.
Gynecological/breast exams and pap tests
Birth control and emergency contraception
Pregnancy testing
Immigration and refugee services
Blood pressure/glucose checks
Click here to view services: https://www.como.gov/health/clinical-services/
Are you interested in receiving emails about local public health updates, such as public health alerts and more? If so, please complete this form.
Hours: 8am-4:30pm
1005 W. Worley Street
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573.817.6441
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7781
Fax: 573.874.7756
Email: Health@CoMo.gov
Bountiful Baskets
Content added June 7, 2025
Bountiful Baskets is a food coop to get baskets for fruits and veggies at discount prices. You pick up your basket on Cherry Street and must be on time, 8:15 am. You have to volunteer once per month and set up a free account on their website. Step by step how to get set up details at this link: www.bountifulbaskets.org
Compass Health - MO locations
Content added June 6, 2025
Compass Health Network is a nonprofit health care organization that provides a full continuum of behavioral health services as well as primary and dental health services throughout Missouri.
Wolfner Library
Content added May 28, 2025
Wolfner Library offers informational and recreational materials in braille, audio and large print to Missourians who are unable to use standard print materials due to blindness, visual or physical impairment or a reading disability. Learn about the ways to apply for services below.
P.O. Box 387
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0387
Toll Free: 800-392-2614
Phone: 573-751-8720
Fax: 573-751-3612
E-Mail: wolfner@sos.mo.gov
Camp I Love Me - Brochure
DATES: JUNE 2ND - JUNE 28TH and JUNE 30TH - AUG 8TH
AGES: 5-15
TIMES: 7:30am - 4:00pm
601 Business Loop 70,
West Suites 214 A-B
Columbia, MO 65203
Weekly Home Check - Maintenance Reminders
Content added May 17, 2025
Join the Weekly Home Check - Receive weekly emails of home maintenance prompts. Let’s reduce the risk of costly repairs and take the hassle out of home maintenance, one week at a time.
VA GI Bill Educational Entitlements
Veterans
Content added May 17, 2025
We are able to advise veterans on GI Bill benefits that they may be eligible for and explain the application process.
MU Veterans Center (University of Missouri)
Memorial Union (Lower-level N-5)
516 Hitt Street
Columbia, Missouri 65211
Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. If possible, please call to make an appointment.
(573) 884-4383
Email: veterans@missouri.edu