Consumer Services Guide (CSG)
Consumer Action Edition
The Consumer Services Guide is searchable directory of resources which can help you with consumer problems and questions. There are multiple editions of the ‘Guide’, some which deal with specific issues such as housing or credit. The full directory, the Consumer Service Guide Edition, provides access to all the resources collected by Consumer Action.
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- ED Pubs
Ed Pubs is the Education Publications Center for the US Department of Education. You can contact ED Pubs to find out what’s available on topics of interest to you and to order free copies of publications, videotapes, CD-ROMS, posters, bookmarks, and other products. Many publications can be acquired instantly in electronic form via the Internet. You can order copies of publications using one of the…
(added October 2006) - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. It is the lead DoD (Department of Defense) organization for this mission under DoD Directive 1250.1.
(added October 2006) - Energy Star Program, (EPA)
The ENERGY STAR label is awarded to products for the home and office that are highly energy efficient. Buying appliances, consumer electronics, lighting, heating and cooling equipment and their products that carry this label helps protect the environment and saves money as well.
(added October 2006) - Environmental Health Coalition
An education and advocacy organization dedicated to preventing illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals in the home, workplace and community.
(added October 2006) - Environmental Law and Justice Clinic
Free legal assistance to neighborhood groups and community organizations in low income and minority communities seeking environmental justice. Services include legal counseling and representation, community education workshops and legislative analysis.
(added October 2006) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Provides information on emergency planning for chemical accidents and on toxic chemicals emitted or released (by industry) in the environment. Other information available through local emergency planning committees.
(added October 2006) - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Equal Pay Act; prohibitions against discrimination affecting individuals with disabilities in the federal sector; sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination…
(added October 2006) - Families USA
The organization is committed to comprehensive reform of health and long-term care and works to educate and mobilize consumers on those issues. It has two grass roots advocacy networks - asap! and HealthLink USA - and develops and distributes publications as well.
(added October 2006) - Federal Student Aid Information Center (US Dept of Education)
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school. They consistently champion the promise of postsecondary education to all Americans—and its value to our society.
(added October 2006) - Florida - Bureau of Weights and Measures
State Weights and Measures Offices enforce laws and regulations about the labeling, weight, measure or count of packaged items including food and household products. These offices also regulate the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in supermarket, gas stations, taxicabs, etc. Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions in addition to the state offices listed below that might be listed under either…
(added October 2006) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA), (HHS)
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public…
(added October 2006) - Fresno County District Attorney
The Business Affairs Unit conducts investigations and prosecutions of consumer protection and fraud cases, business law violations, environmental law violations and major fraud.
(added October 2006) - Georgia - Weights and Measures Office
State Weights and Measures Offices enforce laws and regulations about the labeling, weight, measure or count of packaged items including food and household products. These offices also regulate the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in supermarket, gas stations, taxicabs, etc. Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions in addition to the state offices listed below that might be listed under either…
(added October 2006) - Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
The Coalition’s direct objective is to encourage curriculum enrichment to ensure that basic personal financial management skills are attained during the K-12 educational experience.
(added October 2006) - Maine - Bureau of Financial Institutions
The Bureau of Financial Institutions supervises all state-chartered financial institutions including banks, credit unions, and non-depository trust companies. The Bureau maintains and promotes safe and sound financial practices; strength, stability and efficiency of financial institutions; security of deposit and share funds; reasonable and orderly competition; and development and expansion of financial services advantageous to the public welfare.
(added October 2006) - Moneywi$e
MoneyWi$e, a national financial literacy partnership of Consumer Action and Capital One, is the first program of its kind to combine free, multilingual financial education materials, curricula and teaching aids with regional meetings and roundtables to train community-based organization staff so that consumers at all income levels and walks of life can be reached.
(added October 2006) - National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
Authorized under Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA) supports the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) in its mission to respond to Title III educational needs, and implement NCLB as it applies…
(added October 2006) - National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)
NCRC’s goal is to end discriminatory banking practices and increase the flow of private capital and credit into underserved communities across the country.
(added October 2006) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA)
NIFA is one of four USDA agencies that make up its Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area. The other three agencies include: Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Economics Research Service (ERS), and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The USDA-REE agencies provide federal leadership in creating and disseminating knowledge spanning the biological, physical, and social sciences related to agricultural research, economic analysis, statistics, extension, and higher…
(added October 2006) - National Institute of Standards and Technology - The Metric Program (NIST)
The Metric Program seeks to accelerate the Nation's transition to the metric system, the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce. Implementing the 1988 amendments to the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, the Metric Program helps foster the metric transition activities of all Federal agencies. The Program provides leadership and assistance on the adoption and use of the metric language…
(added October 2006) - National Runaway Switchboard (part of Health and Human Services)
The mission at the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Their services are provided in part through funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(added October 2006) - Office of Child Support Enforcement, Dept. of Health and Human Services
The nation’s Child Support Enforcement Program (CSE) is a federal/state/local partnership to help families by promoting family self-sufficiency and child well-being. CSE provides four major services to their customers: locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, establishing support orders and collecting support payments. The program also provides services to non-custodial parents.
(added October 2006) - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Dept. of Education
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research. By providing funding to programs that serve infants, toddlers, children and adults with disabilities, OSERS works to…
(added October 2006) - SOCAP International (Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals)
SOCAP provides training, conferences, and publications to encourage and maintain the integrity of business in transactions with consumers. The organization also encourages and promotes effective communication and understanding among business, government and consumers, and defines and advances the consumer affairs profession.
(added October 2006) - U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group)
A nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to serving as watchdog for the nation’s citizens and environment. Produces reports on campaign finance reform, consumer issues such as ATM rates and auto safety, and advocates for strong consumer safeguards in the areas of product safety and environmental issues. State chapters focus on more regionally important issues, but also mirror national concerns.
(added October 2006)
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