Dial 2-1-1 for access to local health and human services
United Way’s 2-1-1 is an easy to remember three-digit telephone number that can be used to access health and human service resources available in Tuscarawas County. By simply dialing 2-1-1, residents of Tuscarawas County can reach information and referral offices staffed by trained information service specialists and be directed to programs, health and human service agencies, and volunteer opportunities. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The United Way of Tuscarawas County was able to receive a Venture Grant through the Ohio United Way to help fund the project. Venture grants are one-time seed grants for new and innovative projects that address community needs.
Alison Kerns, of the United Way of Tuscarawas County, said, “We have spent the last 15 months gathering information from local agencies and implementing specialized software so we can offer this service to the community. Anyone can dial 2-1-1. It is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We believe this is a great way to expand our services.”
The 2-1-1 services include information about basic human services like food, clothing, shelter, rental assistance and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources like medical information lines, crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, Medicaid/Medicare, maternal health, children’s health and insurance, employment support services and unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
Services also include information about support for seniors and persons with disabilities, home health care, adult day care, meal services, respite care, transportation, homemaker services, and programs for children, youth, and families, child care, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
It is not just for those in need. Volunteer opportunities and information about donations can be acquired through the service so that individuals can help others.
United Way of Tuscarawas County is partnering with the United Way of Greater Stark County, where the call center is located.
There are currently 20 call centers, serving 53 Ohio counties, and the system is available to 87 percent of the state’s population.
Kerns explained, “Some cell phone providers will not allow you to dial 2-1-1 so we believed it was important to set up a regular telephone number so that the 2-1-1 system could be accessed when users are calling from a cell phone.” The number to dial is 855-211-7039.
The United Way of Tuscarawas County was able to receive a Venture Grant through the Ohio United Way to help fund the project. Venture grants are one-time seed grants for new and innovative projects that address community needs.
Alison Kerns, of the United Way of Tuscarawas County, said, “We have spent the last 15 months gathering information from local agencies and implementing specialized software so we can offer this service to the community. Anyone can dial 2-1-1. It is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We believe this is a great way to expand our services.”
The 2-1-1 services include information about basic human services like food, clothing, shelter, rental assistance and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources like medical information lines, crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, Medicaid/Medicare, maternal health, children’s health and insurance, employment support services and unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
Services also include information about support for seniors and persons with disabilities, home health care, adult day care, meal services, respite care, transportation, homemaker services, and programs for children, youth, and families, child care, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
It is not just for those in need. Volunteer opportunities and information about donations can be acquired through the service so that individuals can help others.
United Way of Tuscarawas County is partnering with the United Way of Greater Stark County, where the call center is located.
There are currently 20 call centers, serving 53 Ohio counties, and the system is available to 87 percent of the state’s population.
Kerns explained, “Some cell phone providers will not allow you to dial 2-1-1 so we believed it was important to set up a regular telephone number so that the 2-1-1 system could be accessed when users are calling from a cell phone.” The number to dial is 855-211-7039.
Published: February 23, 2011
