Informational services are offered both formally and informally in communities. Planning for formal, information/referral services, prevention services or public education always involves the community. Even when an organization takes on the responsibility of planning and delivering the service, community involvement in the planning stage is necessary.
There are planning similarities and differences among the three types of informational services. The organization taking on these services should be aware of the impact planning has on the infrastructure needed to deliver and sustain the service. For example, putting together a directory of services on paper requires less organizational infrastructure than offering a 24 hour live information line. The links below give more information about planning for each of the three services making up this area.