What is a Hoarding Task Force?
A great definition at the following link:[broken link from 2013 was in this space.]
New link from 2023:
hoarding.iocdf.org/for-community-responders/working-with-hoarding-disorder-in-the-community/the-role-of-hoarding-task-forces/In my own words:
Some local government/police and social services are beginning to educate themselves about hoarding.
There are a few cities in North America that have an inter-agency committee for working with hoarders.
It's usually called a "
Hoarding Task Force".
The agency is comprised of members from
Each city's is slightly different; but usually at least some of those professionals are part of the Hoarding Task Force.
They meet together regularly to get educated on how best to help hoarders ... and provide the appropriate services.
It's usually called the city's "
Hoarding Task Force".
Caution: Some are full agencies with real ongoing education.
Others simply give an hour of training to the emergency personnel and consider that enough.
Each location is different, depending on funding/time/energy.
The Following locations are all listed in
ONE LINK:
This is a list of some task forces, from back in 2010.
(There are even more Hoarding Task Forces now.)
Click here to locate a hoarding task force in any of the above locales:
[broken link from 2013 was in this space.]
New link from 2023:
hoarding.iocdf.org/hoarding-task-forces/
How to find the hoarding task force in your area
(if there is one ...):
Some are coordinated by city, some by county, some by state.
I suggest searching the phrase "hoarding task force" (in quotes) plus the name of your state or province ... and see what comes up in your locale.
NOTE: Not all cities have a special office just for the Hoarding Task Force. Usually the members just work at their own jobs, and periodically meet in a public meeting conference. So you'd need to search to find out who the members are and where they work.
.You may have to do some digging to actually get a phone number of someone who can help you.
I repeat:
Caution:Some are full agencies with real ongoing education.
Others simply give an hour of training to the emergency personnel and consider that enough.Each location is different, depending on funding/time/energy.
They may or may not be able to fully understand your situation.
update:
The City of San Francisco, California
has a Peer-Led "hoarding response team" --
the team is led by recovering hoarders!
www.mentalhealthsf.org/programs-old/prt/www.mentalhealthsf.org/san-francisco-task-force-on-compulsive-hoarding/There are also many Hoarding support groups in San Francisco
sponsored by the same agency (San Francisco Mental Health)
www.mentalhealthsf.org/support-groups/
