HelpLine is the only centralized, network in our service areas that provides comprehensive information and referral via 2-1-1 or 1.800.684.2324 (Delaware: 740.369.3316 or Morrow: 419.947.2520), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. As we celebrate 2-1-1 Day on February 11, it’s a good time to celebrate our community’s support of each other, and to renew our collective willingness to advance the common good.
The 2-1-1 System connects people with vital human services through an easy-to-remember three-digit phone number, the Web and a variety of community interactions. 2-1-1 utilizes specially trained information and referral specialists who work with the individual to analyze what services are needed and available to them and provide a direct connection to those services.
“Without 2-1-1, callers can make an average of eight phone calls to different numbers before finding the services they need,” Sue Hanson, HelpLine Executive Director said. Delaware/Morrow County’s 2-1-1 served over 11,000 callers in 2013. Information provided through 2-1-1 includes such services as:
- Basic human needs resources food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance, foreclosure assistance;
- Physical and mental health care, Medicaid, Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs, medical information lines, crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation;
- Support 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 support (childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services).
In 1998, the Federal Communications Commission designated 2-1-1 as the three digit number for access to community services and 2-1-1 is now available to 90% of the U.S. population. In 2000, OhioAIRS, the state I&R association for Ohio, successfully established 2-1-1 in Ohio, so that this valuable service could be offered throughout the state. HelpLine was the first agency in Ohio to publicly launch 2-1-1 services in 2002. Since the inception of the 2-1-1, millions of people throughout Ohio have utilized the service for easy access to local resources. HelpLine’s 2-1-1 service is funded by the Delaware Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, United Ways of Delaware and Morrow Counties, and private donations.
In mid-November, HelpLine launched “WHY CALL HELPLINE” campaign and collected responses, videos, images and quotes from our community on why people call 2-1-1 and the 24/7 hotline. Check out the final results of the campaign online at www.helplinedelmor.org/whycallhelpline/. Join Helpline to celebrate, strengthen and support 2-1-1 as another way to build stronger communities and create opportunities for all. Learn more about 2-1-1 in Delaware and Morrow counties by visiting www.helplinedelmor.org or calling 2-1-1 or 1.800.684.2324 (Delaware: 740.369.3316 or Morrow: 419.947.2520).
