February 11, 2015, marked the 10th anniversary of Vermont 2-1-1, the statewide information and referral program of the United Ways of Vermont. Annually, almost 50,000 callers to Vermont 2-1-1 receive free person-to-person service from Information and Referral Specialists and trained volunteers. People call the confidential 2-1-1 helpline looking for resources to meet basic needs, like heating or utility assistance, shelter, emergency help, or to find the closest food shelf. Vermonters also call for important everyday non-emergency needs, such as developmental screening for a child, home health care for a relative, job training or free tax filing support.
Vermont 2-1-1 during times of emergency
As demonstrated during both the H1N1 epidemic prevention initiative and Tropical Storm Irene, Vermont 2-1-1 becomes the number to dial during disasters and public health emergencies. As the Public Information Line, Vermont 2-1-1 is provided with ongoing updated information from The Vermont Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), and the Vermont Department of Health. Vital information about evacuations, immunizations, and emergency response supports Vermont 2-1-1’s role in both public reassurance and rumor control. Vermont 2-1-1 staff and emergency volunteers took thousands of reports of property damage due to Tropical Storm Irene and hundreds of inquiry calls about safety of and eligibility for the H1N1 immunization.
What happens during a 2-1-1 call?
When you dial 2-1-1 (a local call from anywhere in Vermont), you are connected with a person who helps identify your need(s), and can refer you to relevant human services, health or education resources from the comprehensive 2-1-1 database. For example, in the case of a Vermont worker who has recently been laid off or whose hours have been reduced, the 2-1-1 specialist may share information about unemployment benefits, job search options, 3SquaresVT, food pantries, mortgage or rent help, utility assistance, counseling and other available resources.
When asked about the 2-1-1 service, one caller said, “I adore 2-1-1! I’ve spent hours looking for a number then got it from you guys in two minutes!”
Another caller wrote, “2-1-1 saved my life. Not only did they give me the number to call for the health care ombudsman, but when I got disconnected and I was crying, did you know 2-1-1 called me back to make sure I was doing okay?”
Vermont 2-1-1 is devoted to connecting people to the help they need. The beauty of 2-1-1 is that it is an easy to remember 3-digit telephone number that provides streamlined access to services by eliminating confusing, often frustrating searches. Vermonters seeking solutions to their health and social service needs can easily find what they’re looking for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by simply dialing 2-1-1.
More About 2-1-1
First introduced by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (Georgia) in 1997, 2-1-1 call centers are now found in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, with over 90% of the U.S. population covered. The Vermont 2-1-1 database contains detailed descriptions of programs and services available to Vermonters that are provided by local community groups, social service and health-related agencies, government organizations and others. Currently it contains almost 900 agencies, which provide more than 8,800 services within over 2,600 programs. Resource Specialists gather information by regularly attending community meetings throughout the state and contacting agencies directly to complete a formal update process at least annually. Vermont 2-1-1 is accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).
Source: Essex Junction, February 11, 2015 – United Way of Vermont