NORWICH – Recognizing the need to connect county residents with essential human services, the United Way of Chenango County and Chenango County Department of Social Services are working jointly to bring the community 2-1-1, a telephone service that connects people with the help they’re looking for.
In the United States, 2-1-1 answered more than 15.8 million calls in 2012. Calls direct citizens to non-emergency services such as employment, food pantries, training, addiction prevention programs, affordable housing options, support groups, and other community resources. Thanks to a collaborative agreement with the United Way of Broome County, Chenango County may have the same options as early as September.
“The goal is to make services much more accessible to people,” explained Chenango United Way Director Elizabeth Monaco. “It’s a great option for us to have in this area.”
As per state mandates, a similar service called First Call for Help is currently available to county residents; but the program has little exposure and few calls.
“The hope is that 2-1-1 will be easier to remember and more effective,” said Monaco.
The United Way is in the transition phase, partnering with the Chenango County Department of Social Service in the process. The United Way of Broome County was the first in the Susquehanna River Region to incorporate 2-1-1 through state grants made available to the organization. The plan, explained Monaco, is for Chenango County DSS to contract with United Way of Broome County to utilize the 2-1-1 service and call center, which is also based in Broome County.
Calls made from Chenango County residents will then be referred to Chenango County organizations.
“This was a huge benefit to Broome County when they had the (2011) flooding,” Monaco explained. “We are hoping to see the same kind of benefits here.”
Chenango DSS is presently budgeted no more than $5,000 per year to spend on First Call For Help. Total annual cost fluctuates according to the number of calls received, and money spent is reimbursed by the state. Under terms of the new 2-1-1 agreement with the United Way of Broome County, costs per year will remain the same.
The Chenango United Way plans to designate an additional $2,000 to market 2-1-1 as its 2014 campaign season draws near.
“The 2-1-1 number is much easier to remember than the 1-800 number for First Call for Help,” Monaco noted. “Once First Call for Help changes over to 2-1-1, we will really be able to promote it in the county.”
Another goal is to alleviate non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1, she added. “This will hopefully take some of the burden off 9-1-1 operators ... It will relieve emergency operators and still help provide people with long-term needs.”
Implementation of 2-1-1 is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. For additional information on the pending 2-1-1 service, contact the United Way at 334-8815.