2008

Now, more than ever, people need a place to turn for help. By simply dialing 2-1-1 they get the help they need, the compassion they deserve and the opportunities to succeed.

2-1-1 Report Card

Thanks to United Way 2-1-1, thousands of Central Kentuckians are finding the help they need just a phone call away. 2-1-1 is the easy-to-remember phone number that gets rid of sorting through hundreds of nonprofit and government numbers. All United Way 2-1-1 call center specialists hold their certification from AIRS—the Alliance of Information and Referral Services—and quickly assess caller needs and refer them to the help they seek. United Way 2-1-1 offers information on a broad range of services including rental assistance, food banks, health resources, child care, after-school programs, aging resources, and job-training programs.

IN 2008, UNITED WAY 2-1-1 HELPED 16,443 CALLERS.

United Way 2-1-1 Answers the Call With the cost of prescription drugs steadily increasing, there becomes less money available for necessities. One Central Kentucky mother found herself in this situation when she had no money to spend on rent because all of her resources were spent on medication. She called United Way 2-1-1 and the specialist quickly assessed her situation. United Way 2-1-1 directed her to immediate help for rent but also set her up for medical resources that included free local prescriptions and a prescriptions savings card.

Better Service To deliver the highest quality of service, new software and phone technology were installed to better handle peak phone call times. The software allows United Way 2-1-1 to access information quickly and more efficiently. United Way 2-1-1 also introduced a new web component to the service. The searchable 2-1-1 website gives clients and agencies 24/7 access to the most current health and human service information. Search 2-1-1 online at www.uwbg.org/211. When Disaster Strikes When a major disaster hits Central Kentucky, 2-1-1 will be responsible for updating and

maintaining relationships with community resources that offer services in times of disaster. United Way 2-1-1 spent 2008 preparing to become the VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) Coordinator for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. Resource Awareness In March of 2008, United Way 2-1-1 worked with Pfizer to host an event targeted at increasing awareness of health resources. United Way 2-1-1 and Pfizer teamed up to educate frontline service staff on free and low-cost prescriptions that they can offer to their clients.

2008 Highlights

United Way 2-1-1

Serving Central Kentucky United Way of the Bluegrass serves Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford counties. United Way 2-1-1 receives calls from each of these counties and quickly directs them to the nearest health and human service. The breakdown of calls answered per county is as follows:

Anderson 61 Bourbon 109 Clark 354 Fayette 10,078 Jessamine 572

Madison 469 Montgomery 234 Scott 496 Woodford 141 *Remaining calls were

from an unidentified or out-of-area location

Meeting the Needs United Way 2-1-1 continues to track needs that are unable to be met in our community. Each day, 2-1-1 receives a broad range of calls from people needing various forms of assistance. At times, no referrals are made because there is no program for their specific need, there are no resources available, they are ineligible, or every option has already been tried. The types of needs that go unmet most frequently include utility assistance, transportation, housing and temporary financial assistance. That’s why United Way is working to creating real, lasting change by focusing on the building blocks of a better life – education, income and health. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. Call 2-1-1 to learn more about ways to get involved and be part of this change.

United Way 2-1-1

Top 10 Caller Needs

Information10%

Housing/Shelter19%

Utility Bill Payment Assistance 16%

Individual/Family/ Community Support

Services 10%

Clothing/Personal/ Household Needs 8%

Legal/Consumer/ Public Safety 5%

Other8%

Health Care6%

Free Tax Preparation9%

Food and Meals9%

How They Heard About 2-1-1

Friend/Neighbor12%

Faith Based Organization

10%

Family6%

Television4%

Other4%

Counselor/Social Worker

2%

Social Service Organziation

22%

Called Before40%

United Way of the Bluegrass 2480 Fortune Drive

Suite 250 Lexington, Kentucky 40509

www.uwbg.org

Help Spread the Word United Way 2-1-1 can only help those that know to call. Advocate for 2-1-1 by telling five friends about the service today! Additionally, United Way can provide you and your office with promotional materials to help spread the word. From posters to envelope stuffers to brochures, together we can share this free and confidential service with all those who need it. For more information or to request free promotional materials, please call 2-1-1.

United Way 2-1-1