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2-1-1 Maine

What is 2-1-1?

A partnership between Ingraham (YAI), United Ways of Maine and the State of Maine

Launched July 2006 in Maine

Statewide database and website, www.211maine.org

2-1-1: Nationally

UW Atlanta: first 2-1-1 call center (1997)Connecticut: state-wide system (1998)FCC approval (2000)2-1-1 is currently operational in 46 states

(including 33 states with 90%+ coverage), D.C. and Puerto Rico – plans are underway in the remaining states.

Maine: 33rd state with service & 15th state to have statewide coverage (July 2006)

Why Call 2-1-1?• I need to know where in my area and when seasonal flu

shots are being offered.• I work at a women’s shelter, and am looking for a source

of holiday presents for kids who won’t otherwise receive them.

• I have a friend who is depressed. Where can I refer her for help?

• My elderly father in another town is having difficulty taking care of himself. What services are available in his community to enable him to stay in his home?

• I just lost my job and need temporary help paying for heating oil.

Benefits of 2-1-1: What It Means For Maine

211 helps people connect with appropriate services

A centralized, statewide databaseEasy to remember and simple to use24 / 7 / 365 phone coverage by live I & R

SpecialistsEmergency response support focal point Statewide community planning toolIdentification of unmet needsTop call categories

Resource Coordination, cont.Connects with agencies once profiles are live

to assure information is accurate.

Makes presentations to community groups & professional organizations.

Develops and distributes issue-specific publications which address needs & highlight the availability of 211.

United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Role

First Call established in 1993Active in statewide collaborativeParticipate on Advisory BoardShare GovernanceProvide FundingRegional Resource Coordinator

Top 20 Call Categories, Brunswick-HarpswellDecember 2009

• Heating Assistance 49 Utilities Assistance 6

• H1N1 Virus Information 39 Sexual Assault Services 3

• Mental Health Services 12 Legal Services 3

• Christmas Programs 11 Public Health 3

• Basic Needs – Food 11 Substance Abuse Services 3

• Seasonal Flu Information 7 Financial Assistance – Rent 3

• Transportation 7 Income Support -– Unemployment

3

• Financial Assistance –

• Temporary Aid 6 Income Support - SSI/SSDI 3

• Housing/Shelter 6 Government Agency – DHHS 3

• Support Group Information 6 Poison Control 2

UWMCM & 211Maine

• A “two way street”

• Agency and service information in 211 supports UWMCM inter-agency initiatives

• UWMCM products enhance visibility

• Our knowledge of community agencies and services enriches 2-1-1 Maine

• Supports the identification of unmet needs

Resource CoordinationOutreach to community providers to

publicize 2-1-1 Maine and identify services.

Populates the 2-1-1 Maine database, and keeps information current to enable Call Specialists to accurately identify all appropriate services.

Works closely with United Way staff and agencies to provide needed information

Resource Coordination, cont.Makes presentations to community groups

and professional organizations.

Develops and distributes needs-specific publications which address needs and highlight the availability of 211.

Resource coordinator is available to callers when 211 call specialists have exhausted database resources.

Multicultural Coordinator

Works with outside agencies to obtain

multicultural resource information and enters it into the database.

Provides outreach to new American communities about 2-1-1 Maine.

Provides assistance and training to Resource Coordinators and Call Specialists.

(UWMCM) Increase in Needs FY 2008 to FY 2009

Utilities Assistance (up 240%)Rent (up 39%)Basic Needs-Food (up 35%)Legal Services (up 30%)Housing/Shelter (up 18%)Financial Assistance (up 14%)

Community Feedback “Thanks, I will put it in my newsletters from now on.” Jill at Coastal

Enterprises

“(We)would like to include the “Quick Card” in one of our billings for the Brunswick/Topsham area.  We have roughly 600 customers in the Midcoast area.” Cathy at Maine Natural Gas

“Everytime I write about this list (at least twice a year)  I get so many comments from readers.  They post the column on their fridges.” Gloria at Times Record.

The Bath Career Center says that the Community Directory is one of the most important pieces they have to distribute in a career meeting.

Find Help

www.211maine.org

Accessibility: By telephone, cell phone, and digital phone Utilize TTY for the Deaf and Tele-Interpreter services for callers who do not speak English Through the www.211maine.org website Instate/out-of-state toll free number 1-877-463-6207 to assist family members looking for resources for relatives

living in Maine

Contact information: Dial 211 (TTY accessible) Fax: (207) 775-4034 Email: info@211maine.org Mailing address:

2-1-1 Maine

PO Box 1868Portland, ME 04104