FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2018
HelpLine Recognizes National 2-1-1 Day, Encourages Use to Navigate Community, Social and Health Services
Delaware, OH – Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 is National 2-1-1 Day and in recognition of the community resource number, HelpLine encourages use of 2-1-1 which connects 94% of Ohio’s population to critical health, community and social services and information.
Sponsored by the United Way, 2-1-1 is the free, confidential referral and information service available 24 hours a day, seven day a week. Trained community resource specialists work with callers to analyze what services are needed and available to them and, provides a direct connection.
In FY 2017, HelpLine responded to 14,562 callers from Delaware, Logan, Morrow, Shelby and Union counties. More than 31,000 needs were identified with the top reasons for calls to 2-1-1 including mental health services, rent or utility assistance and general information support.
“We raise awareness during 2-1-1 day to ensure people can find help they need, when they need it,” said Mary Damico, Information and Referral Director, HelpLine. “Community, government and social service agencies often change programming and information to meet the evolving needs of the community. 2-1-1 maintains a comprehensive, up-to-date database providing an easy starting point – helping callers save time.”
As the first agency in the State of Ohio to launch the 2-1-1 service, HelpLine remains committed and continues to support the program because of its impact on thousands of residents within its five-county service area. Damico said that in this past year, HelpLine community resource specialists provided more than 18,430 referrals to community, government and human services were provided to callers.
“For many, the help received through 2-1-1 has helped to thwart a full-blown crisis,” said Damico. “Having an easy to remember three-digit phone number makes a difference when you don’t know where to start.”
Residents should always call 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency, when a property is in danger or a crime is in progress that requires the police, fire or paramedic services.
To access free community, social and health services, dial 2-1-1 or 1.800.684.2324. For online access, visit our free, online information database at www.helplinedelmor.org.
About HelpLine
HelpLine is a private, non-profit organization that provides 24-hour, crisis, support, & information about community services via hotline and texting; sexual assault advocacy; suicide and violence prevention education; and a volunteer center. Committed to connecting people to knowledge, support, and resources, HelpLine facilitates stability and self-sufficiency through linkage to services, crisis management, and mental health related and violence prevention education.
HelpLine is a contract provider of the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and partially funded by SourcePoint. A United Way Partner, HelpLine is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, National Alliance of Information & Referral Systems and certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. For more information, please visit: www.HelpLinedelmor.org.
About 211
2-1-1 is a free, confidential referral and information service that connects people from all communities and of all ages to a specialist who will help you find local health and human services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information provided through 2-1-1 includes:
- Basic human needs resources (food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance, foreclosure assistance);
- Physical and mental health resources (health insurance programs, Medicaid, Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs, medical information lines, crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, addiction prevention and rehabilitation);
- Work support (EITC & tax preparing assistance, reentry for ex-offenders, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs, veteran services);
- Supports for older Americans and persons with disabilities (adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services);
- Children, youth and family supports (childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services).
- Volunteer Opportunities
Contact:
Tamika Vinson, Marketing and Development Director
P: 740.363.1835, ext. 305
F: 740.369.0358
E: tvinson@helplinedelmor.org
W: helplinedelmor.org
