The Information and Referral Service for Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Inc. River Falls, Wisconsin, was formed as a private, non-profit organization in 1972 and began its operation in April 1973. Its stated purpose was to “develop and operate a comprehensive, centralized information, referral and follow-up service to effectively, efficiently, accurately and promptly provide for the linkage of people with needs to agencies with appropriate services.”
Manuals and publications produced by other agencies were used by the staff of volunteers, under program coordinator Kay Abbott, to develop policies and resource files. The service continued for five years until, in September 1978, it was dissolved due to a lack of funding and inadequate volunteer support. Elements of the service were then provided by the Elders' Area Resources Service, River Falls, Wisconsin.
