Press release from the United Way of Allen County:
2-1-1 Launches User-Friendly Website
Database of more than 2,000 social service organizations easily searched online(January 6, 2011) – United Way’s Northeast Indiana 2-1-1 Call Center has launched a new website that allows visitors to easily search a database of more than 2,000 area health and human service organizations. The database can be searched in many ways, including by zip code and type of service. The website’s address is www.211NortheastIndiana.org. Visitors may also find the website through www.UnitedWayAllenCounty.org.
2-1-1 is a national dialing code for free access to health and human service information and referral. By dialing the three simple numbers of 2-1-1, most northeast Indiana residents can get free, confidential, and 24-hour information about as many at 2,000 local social services, such as housing, shelter, food, legal aid, clothing, counseling, utility assistance, health care, transportation and more. Phone counselors are trained to help callers identify their needs and determine what agency or program will best meet their needs.
“This is really an expansion of our services,” said Tiffany Bailey, 2-1-1 call center director. “2-1-1 and our phone counselors are always available to connect people in need to the services that will help them. Now, however, people can also access information over the Internet.”
The launch of the website was paid for through a Community Development Block Grant through the City of Fort Wayne. Most 2-1-1 centers in Indiana and the nation are working to make their databases searchable online.
“2-1-1 is a valuable asset to all of northeast Indiana,” said Todd Stephenson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “2-1-1 constantly updates the database of regional health and human service organizations and helps residents find the organization that can best assist them. And, 2-1-1 helps agencies by coordinating services and answering general social service questions.”
United Way established the Northeast Indiana 2-1-1 Call Center in November 2003 (replacing the First Call for Help phone service). In the first full year of 2-1-1 service (2004), the total number of calls was 20,339. In 2010, the number was 40,127; this is approximately a 97 percent increase.
United Way of Allen County operates the Northeast Indiana 2-1-1 Call Center, which provides service to the following ten Indiana counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley.
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