Community Corner

Today is 2-1-1 Awareness Day

The United Way says their medical advice hotline has been growing rapidly.

 

It might not have the same cachet as 9-1-1 or 4-1-1, but the 2-1-1 phone service offered by the is growing. The hotline offers health and human services resources and Connecticut fielded a record 390,000 calls in 2011.

Today, on February 11, (2-11), 2-1-1 operations across the nation will celebrate National United Way 2-1-1 Awareness Day to highlight the vital role this service plays in communities across the nation. Currently, 86 percent of the U.S. population has access to a 2-1-1 service.

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The top five requests for services were for:

  • help finding housing
  • utility assistance
  • financial assistance
  • resources during storms
  • mental healthcare services

Call volume increased 13 percent over the previous year. Visits to www.211ct.org increased 8 percent.

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A caller to 2-1-1 will reach a highly trained specialist who will help them prioritize their needs, explore the options and programs that are available and make referrals to services that will best fit the caller's needs. 2-1-1 call specialists empower callers by educating them about programs so that informed decisions can be made.

In order to provide the most accurate resource information available, 2-1-1 maintains a comprehensive, continually updated database of health and human services. This database contains information on basic needs resources, child care services, programs for youth and older adults, substance abuse treatment resources, health services and so much more. 2-1-1 also handles thousands of suicide and crisis calls each year and is fully accredited by the American Association of Suicidolog.y.

2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.211ct.org. Calls to 2-1-1 are confidential and anonymous. Services for deaf and mute people are available.

This story was based on a press release sent by United Way. 



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