"Stephanie is a single mother who has spent the last of her paycheck making sure her kids have food and a warm place to sleep. She has an interview for a higher paying job next week and needs something nice to wear, but cannot afford new clothes. Across town, Julia is cleaning out her closet and wants to donate several items that do not fit anymore to a place that will give them to someone who can put them to good use. The problem is that neither of these women knows where to find a local clothing bank.
Thanks to a new service that debuted in Fayette County this month, both Stephanie and Julia can find the answer to their questions. United Way of the Bluegrass kicked off its United Way 2-1-1 health and human service information and referral line October 13 in conjunction with the introduction of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government's LexCall 3-1-1 local government access number. These two easy-to-remember phone numbers will simplify the way Fayette County residents are connected with a vast array of information.
By simply dialing 2-1-1, United Way's 2-1-1 connects people who need help, or want to give help to those who need it, much like Julia and Stephanie. Over the last several months, United Way has been collecting information from health and human service providers throughout the county. The result is an accurate and up-to-date database of resources that is only a phone call away. In addition, United Way's 2-1-1 also has bilingual call staff and interpreting service access. Currently, 2-1-1 service is available to 65 percent of the U.S. population.
Dubbed the 9-1-1 of health and human service information and referrals, United Way's 2-1-1 uses the tagline, "If you have a burning home, call 9-1-1. If you have a burning question, call 2-1-1." 2-1-1 not only serves as a valuable information resource, but also diverts non-emergency calls from 9-1-1, freeing those operators for emergency calls.
Some examples of the information provided by 2-1-1 include resources for basic human needs, physical and mental health; support for employment, the elderly, the disabled, children and families; as well as volunteer opportunities and donation information. Calls similar to the ones Julia and Stephanie could make are typical, but they are only the tip of the iceberg.
A parent who has lost a child might call to see where grief counseling is available. A battered wife might call to find a domestic violence abuse shelter. Someone having to decide between buying food or medicine, or unable to pay utilities, might call for help on each of these issues. Parents who recently learned their teenage son has an alcohol problem might call to learn about substance abuse counseling available for teenagers. By simply dialing this three-digit number, callers can find the resources and information they need in one place. This fast, easy and efficient resource not only helps the callers, but also eases the informational load of other agencies, allowing them to concentrate on the needs of their clients.
Another benefit of United Way's 2-1-1 is that it provides an established information system for responding to widespread emergencies and disasters. Because this service links callers with trained and certified call specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there is always someone ready to respond with pertinent information in times of community crisis. During last year's hurricanes in Florida, the statewide 2-1-1 service provided a vital key in addressing needs, matching families with available services and finding volunteers to help in the aftermath of the destruction.
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government also introduced its new three-digit information line, LexCall 3-1-1. LexCall was initiated in 1997 as a service to make it easier for citizens to access their local government. Today, LFUCG is making it even easier for residents to find answers to governmental concerns.
Callers to LexCall 3-1-1, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., will speak to a friendly person who can answer questions, connect them with the appropriate person or division, turn requests into a work order and track those work orders to completion.
Examples of LexCall 3-1-1's breadth include building maintenance and construction, citizen's advocates, coroner, the local health department, mayor's office, public works and solid waste - anything related to city government. In a nutshell, LexCall 3-1-1 is your one call for city hall.
Stephanie, Julia and their fellow Lexington citizens now have easy access to information on health and human services and to their local government. The next time you have a question, from finding an agency who helps with abuse counseling to having a pothole fixed in your street, just pick up the phone and find an answer with the push of three easy buttons.
Kathy Plomin is president and chief professional officer of United Way of the Bluegrass.