INTERNET RESOURCES FOR 2-1-1MAP OF COMMUNITY RESOURCESBACK TO NEWS |
West Virginia 8th in United States to Establish a Statewide 2-1-1 System for Community and Social ServicesThe WV 211 Collaborative/Mountain AIRS, Inc. announces the launch of 2-1-1 services in the state of West Virginia on November 1st, 2004 in Weirton, WV. An abbreviated phone dialing code, the 2-1-1 service is a short-cut designed to link Americans in need of help (or those who want to help) to information about, or referrals to, basic community resources. To get connected to essential community and social services in West Virginia people need only to pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1. WV 211 will help people find and give help. Just as 9-1-1 is available to anyone who calls for emergency services, 2-1-1 will be available twenty four hours a day to anyone seeking informational services. Every hour of every day, someone in West Virginia needs essential services, ranging from substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or aging parent. According to Robin Smith, President of the WV 211 Collaborative and Executive Director of the United Way of Marion County, “People often don’t know where to turn. In many cases they end up not receiving the care needed because they cannot locate the phone number of the agency providing the service. The answer is WV 211. Callers in West Virginia can cut through red tape and the confusion of multiple numbers to gain access to a full range of community resources. It’s fast, efficient and easy. The 2-1-1 dialing code—spearheaded nationally by the United Way of America and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems—is operational regionally in many parts of the country. West Virginia is the 8th in the country to deliver this service statewide. This unprecedented state-wide service has been made possible through the extensive work of the WV 211 Collaborative which includes Perdidos Inc.,on of the two Information and Referral sources for Raleigh County. For further information please call directly to Perdidos Inc. at 304-573-0797 or just call 2-1-1! At this time, twelve social service Information and Referral Providers in West Virginia are Partners with WV 211. Since the tragedy of 9/11, we see more than ever how important it is for members of a community to know where to call for help or to volunteer in the wake of any kind of disaster. Even more recently, the flow of information could have helped those affected by flooding in the state this last hurricane season. This 2-1-1 system will aid in relief efforts or to help people in need, it streamlines access to resources. WV 211, a project of the 211 Collaborative/Mountain AIRS, Inc. and Lauttamus Communications will host and launch its operation of services on November 1st at the Holiday Inn, 350 Three Springs Drive in Weirton, WV from 10:00am to Noon. For more information call WV 211 Resource Coordinator, Christine Santy at 304-366-4550 or email wv211@uwmarion.org , website www.wv211.org. |