West Virginia 211

Summary of WV 211

• 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services, disaster information and volunteer opportunities.
• 2-1-1 supplies callers with information and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis.
• 2-1-1 brings together existing information and referral providers and crisis services into one coordinated system.
• 2-1-1 makes it easy for anyone to access that system—24 hours a day and seven days a week.
• Calls to WV 211 from mobile phones may count against your monthly minutes.

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To Report Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, CALL 911!

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Benefits to 2-1-1 Callers

• Once call gives you access to resources across your community.
• 2-1-1 is efficient, fast, and easy to use.
• No more wrong numbers; no more wasted time trying to find the right resources.
• 24 hour / 7 day a week availability; 211 is always there for you.

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Background

Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services-from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. 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. While services that are offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
• 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, education programs.
• Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.
• Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
• Volunteer Opportunities and Donations

211 is a nationwide movement driven by cooperation between a variety of community partners including Association of Information and Referral Services, Inc; United Way of America, Inc.; local United Ways throughout the country; US Congress; various state and local governments; private foundations; and more. Community partners involved vary from system to system. 2-1-1 serves approximately 100 million Americans - over 34% of the US population. There currently are 139 active 2-1-1 systems in 28 states plus Washington, DC.

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History of WV 211

WV is the 8th state to have 2-1-1 statewide, the 2nd state to do so with one centralized call center, and the 1st to partner with a for-profit call center to provide services.

• 1997 United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta launches the first 2-1-1 service
• May 1998 United Way of America and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems files a petition with the FCC requesting designation of 211 nationwide as the three digit code for accessing Community Information and Referral Services.
• 1999 Connecticut becomes the first state to implement 211 statewide.
• April 2000 An informal group (211 Collaborative) of interested individuals and organizations begins meeting to discuss implementation of 211 in WV.
• July 2000 FCC designates 211 as the three digit access number to health and human service providers.
• April 2001 WV State Legislature enacts House Concurrent Resolution 18 which directs the WV Public Service Commission to designate 211 as the three digit number for Information and Referral Services for health and human services.
• June 2001 WV Public Service Commission establishes the 211 Task Force to draft a report on the implementation of 211 in West Virginia.
• January 2002 Final report on the feasibility of implementing 211 in West Virginia submitted to the Public Service Commission by the 211 Task Force. This report recommends the use of a single 211 agency for the entire state and that the service is provided at no charge to the consumer.
• June 2002 WV Public Service Commission adopts the Final Report of the 211 Task Force and files the report with the WV Legislature.
• March 2003 West Virginia Legislature passes Senate Bill 436 directing the WV Public Service Commission to implement the WV 211 I&R system in accordance with the recommendations of the commission’s appointed 211 Task Force in the Final Report.
• June 2003 The Public Service 211 Task Force begins meeting to develop consensus rules on the implementation of 211 in West Virginia.
• Dec. 2003 The PSC orders that the Rules for Statewide Information and Referral 211 Service become effective December 31, 2003.
• Jan. 2004 The 211 Collaborative Board is formally appointed by Mountain AIRS and strategic planning begins.
• Feb. 2004 Strategic plan is implemented. United Way of Marion County, Inc receives grant from DHHR to develop the statewide database.
• April 1, 2004 Requested for Proposals for 211 Provider released.
• April 2004 United Way of Marion County receives $187,000 grant (over two years) from Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to develop the Partnership and database for WV 211.
• May 2004 Christine Santy, WV 211 Resource Coordinator hired. Ms. Santy is the first staff member devoted to the development of 211 in West Virginia.
• July 2004 Lauttamus Communications selected as service provider.
• Summer 2004 WV 211 Collaborative develops partnership agreements with existing I&R providers. Standards are developed for data entry, keyword and maintenance of the database. Policy and procedure guides are written with the service provider in preparation for a Fall 2004 implementation. A recorded message is available by calling 2-1-1. A website place cards is established at www.wv211.org
• November 1, 2004 Lauttamus Communications began to accept live calls to 2-1-1.
• February 11, 2005- Launch and promotion throughout the state is being held of until February 11, 2005 to be sure all the kinks have been worked out of the system. 2-1-1 is currently operational in WV!

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Contact WV 211 Coordinator

WV211
Robin A.R. Smith, WV211 Coordinator
P.O. Box 211
Mannington, WV 26582
Phone: 304-376-3102
Fax: 304-366-4695
info@wv211.org

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Help is available! Call the Connecting Link Information & Referral Service: (304) 363-4882 or (304) 296-3300

Outside of Marion County area? Dial 2-1-1 (toll free)

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Our Mission: To increase the available resources and enhance the effective delivery of charitable services in the community.