"2-1-1 service offers one-stop help," Tri-Lakes Tribune
Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 12:10 pm
By Norma Engelberg
To get help in an emergency, even small children know to call 9-1-1 but where can people turn when the need to access community services and resources? The simple answer is “dial 2-1-1.”
2-1-1 provides information and resources for people who might need help paying their rent, finding low-cost health or dental care or even where to get their pets spayed or neutered.
One might ask why make a phone call when the Internet is so readily available.
One answer is that by simply dialing three numbers — 2-1-1 — the information is targeted to the local community and available in just one search.
Local 2-1-1 service is sponsored by the Pikes Peak United Way. Last year it provided information and referral services to more than 26,000 people in Alamosa, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Conejos, Costilla, El Paso, Lincoln, Mineral, Park, Rio Grande, Saguache and Teller counties.
To increase 2-1-1’s usefulness to the area’s large military community, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments and Pikes Peak United Way have partnered to expand the local online Network of Care service database with information and resources specific to El Paso and Teller counties.
This partnership means that an additional 1,500 resources are available, including information on crisis and emergency services, child and family resources, behavioral health providers and military and veteran-specific resources.
“These are services that might be needed in the military community but the reach is broader than that,” said Kate Hatten, of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments policy and information department. “For example, if you’re looking for childcare connections, the information will help anyone needing childcare.”
This service is designed for people who prefer to work online. “Ideally we try to make sure the information is no more than three clicks away,” Hatten said. “This is also a great service for people who are planning to move into the area.”
To search for 2-1-1 information and resources online visit www.ppunitedway.org. To access the Network of Care database, visit pikespeak.networkofcare.org.