A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide
A respectful place to begin, whether you are looking for support for yourself, trying to help someone you care about, or facing a safety, housing, care, or practical concern in Brown County.
Start here - Fight the Blight
Fight the Blight is a nonprofit front door for hoarding-related support and virtual groups. You can ask what kind of support may fit before deciding what to do next. Local programs have their own locations, costs, eligibility rules, and availability; this guide does not promise a service or outcome.
Reach out to discuss hoarding-related concerns, virtual support groups, and possible next steps. You do not need to solve everything before asking for support.
Role: nonprofit hoarding-support front door and virtual-group pathway; geography: remote inquiry, including Brown County; cost/eligibility: ask about current program fit and any eligibility; emergency limit: not emergency response, therapy, or a local placement guarantee.
For immediate danger, fire, serious injury, or a medical emergency, call 911. For a behavioral-health crisis, call or text 988; Kanza Mental Health also lists 24-hour crisis support at 785-742-3666. These pathways do not replace emergency dispatch when someone is in immediate danger.
First conversations
You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.
For support that is not covered by a grant or other program, ask The Peer Tree about private-pay services, family guidance, and current availability. Do not assume in-home services are offered in Brown County.
Unburied offers peer connection and tools for people affected by hoarding or clutter, including friends and family. It is not a clinical service.
Kanza describes outpatient behavioral-health and substance-use services and 24-hour crisis support. Ask about current services, access, and whether a clinician has relevant experience; no hoarding specialty is confirmed here.
NEK-CAP lists housing assistance, coordinated-entry and homelessness programs, utility help, and other community services. Ask which programs are currently funded for your household and location.
Safety and stability
These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.
Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent fire, police, or medical response.
Call or text 988 for mental-health or substance-use crisis support. If you can, say what kind of help feels safe and useful.
Kanza lists a 24-hour crisis line. Its routine appointment line is separate; call to ask what response is available now.
The YWCA lists a 24-hour hotline for people affected by domestic or sexual violence, stalking, or trafficking. Call before traveling; do not use an unsafe contact method.
Kansas DCF says APS works with adults who may be unable to protect themselves, including self-neglect concerns. Reports to the Kansas Protection Report Center are accepted by phone 24 hours a day; APS is not a voluntary cleanup service.
Call 211 or search the Kansas 211 directory to ask about housing, food, utilities, health care, and other local options. Confirm each program's current service area and availability.
NEK-CAP describes pre-application and coordinated-entry steps for certain programs. Ask about open funding, current screening, and other emergency options; the agency says availability and eligibility vary.
Use the online application to ask whether a civil legal issue may qualify for help. Confirm service availability, deadlines, and eligibility directly.
People and practical help
These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.
Amberwell lists primary care in Hiawatha. Ask about routine medical needs and referrals; a local clinic listing does not establish hoarding-specialty experience.
The department lists its Brown County office at 907 S. 2nd Street in Hiawatha. Call before visiting to confirm current programs, office hours, and accessibility.
The clinician describes adult, teen, and family counseling. Ask about current availability, fees, insurance, and fit; no hoarding-specific expertise is claimed.
Amberwell describes guided group discussions around aging, illness, relationships, depression, grief, and trauma. Ask whether the current group is a fit before attending.
NEKAAA lists information and assistance, case management, caregiver services, meals, transportation, and other pathways. Ask about eligibility and current capacity.
NEKAAA asks riders to schedule ahead, generally at least 24 hours when possible; same-day trips depend on availability. Confirm fare, route, stops, accessibility, and weather status with dispatch. Exact fare is due when boarding.
Trinity Center lists pantry hours Tuesday 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and Thursday 6–7:30 p.m., except major holidays. Confirm current distribution hours and availability before going.
Second Harvest lists the Hiawatha pantry as a Brown County senior-box site. Contact the program or pantry to confirm age, income, application, and distribution requirements.
DCF provides an online portal for Food Assistance (SNAP), cash, child-care, and energy assistance applications. The department may request verification and an interview.
Catholic Charities describes mobile buses offering basic supplies, case management, and possible rent, utility, or medication assistance. Its public materials do not establish a current Hiawatha schedule; confirm before relying on a visit.
Ask NEK-CAP whether its current weatherization or housing-related utility programs cover your address and situation. Confirm whether renters or homeowners may apply and whether funds remain.
The City of Hiawatha's listing describes multiple NEK-CAP programs and notes that rules vary across the service area. Call to ask whether applications or funding are open for Brown County.
The library lists public hours, learning resources, and community materials. Confirm current hours and accessibility before traveling.
The county describes BCDS supports for adults with intellectual disabilities, including assistance with daily living and community participation. Contact BCDS to confirm eligibility and current services.
The City lists water/sewer contacts and licensed trash haulers. Ask the City or hauler about accepted items, collection rules, fees, and arrangements before moving material.
The county directory lists Solid Waste/Landfill and other offices. Call before transporting items and confirm current rules for bulky waste, hazardous material, and disposal charges.
K-State lists a Brown County extension agent and office contact. Ask about current local education, family, or community programming.
Brown County's directory lists departments, courthouse offices, and contacts. Use the department directory to identify the right office rather than assuming a county-wide service is available at every address.
A note from the Alliance
This guide is anchored in Hiawatha, Kansas, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.
Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight