2-1-1 Summary
Every hour of every day residents need essential community services
- everything from after school programs to adequate care for a child
or aging parent. We've all face similar challenges. The
search for this kind of help often involves navigating a complex and
ever-growing maze of health and human agencies and programs. When
individuals go without help because they are unaware of services,
Manistee County wastes valuable resources.
Current Coverage
76% of
the population nationwide and 71% of Michigan including the entire
Upper Peninsula are calling and receiving the benefits of 2-1-1.
Many rural areas of Michigan including Manistee County, are not
connected, yet this is where 2-1-1 is needed most. The
2-1-1 Action Team has been working diligently to gain access to this easy-to-remember telephone number that
connects people with important community services and volunteer
opportunities.
2-1-1
will
provide Manistee County citizens with information about and referral to human
services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. For example,
2-1-1 offers access to basic human services, such as food banks and
utility assistance; and physical and mental health resources, such
as health insurance and drug or alcohol intervention. The system
offers 24-hour/365-day availability. People looking for assistance
often have trouble navigating the complicated web of service programs.
Likewise, people who want to help often do not know where to begin.
The State of Michigan has certified
seven regional call centers. Community Access Line of the Lakeshore (C.A.L.L. 2-1-1) in Muskegon is
currently serving Mason, Oceana, Ottawa, Muskegon and Manistee counties.
"What is 2-1-1?"
· 2-1-1
is an easy-to-remember, free-to-the-user phone number linking people
with the services they need. Dialing 2-1-1 connects the caller to a
specialist who can assess the caller’s needs and link the caller to
the right solution using a comprehensive database of services --
federal, state and local; government and non-profit.
· 2-1-1
is the next wave in service communication, with call centers
operating or in development across Michigan and the nation. There
are currently 240 caller centers in 45 states serving 225 million
people. The FCC
reserved the number and the Michigan Legislature adopted it. Now
community leaders, their organizations, leading foundations and
phone companies are working at the grassroots level to activate
2-1-1 in communities statewide.
"Can't
people just look in the phone book?"
Telephone books are not organized in a manner to easily find
services. Many organizations provide multiple services and are
not listed by each service, nor are the services always reflected in
the organization's name. 2-1-1 Call Specialists help callers
by working with them to fully understand their problems or needs and
determining the best way to address them.
"What are the benefits?"
To callers:
-
Easy to remember number is
efficient, fast and simple to use.
-
One single point of entry gives
callers access to professional call specialists for referral to
resources across the community.
-
Confidential, 24
hours/7-days-a-week multi-lingual availability.
-
Available as an on-line resource.
For the Community:
-
Strengthens communities by uniting people who want to help with
those in need.
-
Real time data reports generated by
the call center will help decision makers identify gaps in services
and develop solutions.
-
Prevents misdirected calls and provides relief for agencies
inundated with calls not pertaining to their organization.
-
Maintains a permanent presence in the community - always available
for everyday issues as well as any type of crisis.
"How is
2-1-1 funded?"
At the federal level, Congress has
introduced the Calling for 2-1-1 Act, which, if passed will provide
financial support to 2-1-1 entities. Meanwhile, Michigan
Association of United Ways is actively pursuing state funding.
Realizing that service agencies, government, policy makers and
residents stand to benefit
substantially from the operation of a 2-1-1 system in our county,
United Way of Manistee County and the 2-1-1 Action Team have
been the driving force behind this grass roots initiative. The Manistee County Human
Services Collaborative Body (HSCB) adopted a resolution to make
its implementation a major priority and enVision
Manistee County has also prioritized the 2-1-1 initiative as a
strategic plan for meeting our community’s needs.
Financial support has been provided
by:
Manistee County Community Foundation/Kellogg Grant
United Way of Manistee County
District Health Department #10
Manistee County Intermediate School District
Leadership Council Members
West Shore Community College
Revenue Sharing Board/Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
The Board of Directors of United
Way has endorsed implementation of a 2-1-1 Contact Point in Manistee
County as a major goal and intends to act as a primary partner in
this endeavor. The Contact Point will serve as the face of 2-1-1 in
our county and will work under the general supervision of its
Regional Call Center.
"What can you do?"
You, as
an informed citizen,
taxpayer, financial contributor and potential user of 2-1-1,
are an important part of the system’s success. Stay informed
online:
http://www.uwmich.org/211/tabid/60/Default.aspx
http://www.211.org
For more information about
advancing 2-1-1 in Manistee County contact
United Way of Manistee County.
Changing the
way Americans find help.
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