TARRANT COUNTY (1080 KRLD)- In Tarrant County, access to assistance is now just a text away.
The county has launched a new texting service called TXT4 Tarrant Cares that puts residents in touch with critical resources.
Judge Glen Whitley says it's essentially an extension of the long-running Tarrant Cares website.
"You text FIND to 67629," says Judge Whitley, "and then it will call up a selection or glossary, and you select the area where you need assistance."
Some of the resources include food, clothing, housing, early childhood care and counseling services, among other things.
"You give your ZIP Code, and then it will tell you all of the resources within a certain distance of that ZIP Code that can provide you assistance," Judge Whitley says.
TXT4 Tarrant Cares does not, however, provide emergency response -- those needing that should still call 911.
The new service is the result of feedback from a local task force that studied the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences, including exposure to abuse and neglect.