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Through
a strong partnership between United Way of Atlantic County
and the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services,
residents in Atlantic County are now able to connect to
the health and human services, community resources, and
government assistance they need thanks to the 2-1-1 helpline.
At
a recent New Jersey Department of Human Services press conference,
DHS Commissioner Jim Davy and Assemblyman Lou Greenwald
announced the statewide public launch of 2-1-1.
“Every
hour of every day, someone in our community needs essential
services - from finding substance abuse assistance to securing
adequate care for a child or an aging parent,” said
John Emge, executive director of United Way of Atlantic
County. “Faced with a dramatic increase in the number
of agencies and help lines, people often don't know where
to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these
necessary and readily available services because they do
not know where to start. We hope 2-1-1 will become a vital
resource and a critical link for thousands of local people
in need of assistance.”
Atlantic
County Executive Dennis Levinson also recognizes the strong
impact that 2-1-1 will make. “2-1-1 will help to strengthen
our entire community by putting local people in a better
position to access health and human service programs,”
said Levinson. “2-1-1 will also put county government
in a better position to anticipate demand for services in
our area and mobilize resources to meet changing needs.”
2-1-1
is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable telephone
number that connects individuals and families to the health
and human services, community resources, and government
assistance they need. Landline and cell phone calls to 2-1-1
are always free and confidential. Certified Call Specialists
make appropriate referral to community-based organizations
and government agencies. Ongoing monitoring is also conducted
by 2-1-1 Call Specialists to assure links are made and service
is provided.
2-1-1
Call Specialists provide comprehensive information and referral
services to callers about a variety of issues, including:
-
Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets,
shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
- Support
for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care,
congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home
health care, transportation, homemaker services.
- Support
for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school
programs, NJ Family Care (health insurance programs),
family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs,
mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
-
Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance
programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children's
Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis
intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug
and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
- Employment
Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation
assistance, and education programs.
The
2-1-1 helpline is accessible to everyone living and working
in the State of New Jersey. Local 2-1-1 Call Centers are
geographically distributed throughout the state, drawing
on local based information and assistance expertise to provide
access to a full range of resources. In the United States,
2-1-1 is being deployed state by state with advocacy and
support provided by local United Ways. Currently, about
25% of the U.S. population has 2-1-1 access, and plans are
focused on bringing 2-1-1 to 50% of the U.S. population
by the end of 2005 and growing to 100% soon thereafter.
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