Archived Story
County funding sought for 211 call center
Published 9:32am Wednesday, July 18, 2012Getting funding for a proposed 211 one-stop call center was the purpose of a meeting with community leaders and the Lawrence County Commission.
About a month ago United Way Executive Director Laura Gilliam met with representatives from a variety of social agencies to explain the concept of the call center.
On Tuesday she came to the commission’s work session to solicit funding for the center for its second and third years of operation. The first year will be covered by a state grant.
“If we have the funding in place for the next two years, we can execute an agreement with the call center and move forward,” Gilliam told the commissioners.
Joining Gilliam were Doug Korstanje, director of marketing and community relations at St. Mary’s Medical Center; Bob Smith, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Boster, director of the county’s emergency management.
A 211 center is basically an informational and referral service where people can call a single phone number to get answers to questions about the social agencies in the county and what services they provide.
There are 56 counties in Ohio with a 211 system that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers answers from trained staff. The closest counties to Lawrence with a system are Jackson, Adams and Athens counties.
A start-up grant of $40,000 from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will cover costs for the first year. That money will be available until September.
St. Mary’s, the Chamber and United Way have each committed $3,000 for the next two years, leaving $23,000 needed for the next two years.
“This is Lawrence County’s opportunity to make a difference,” Smith told the commissioners.
Funding must be secured before September when the initial grant will expire.
“We will definitely talk about this,” Commission President Les Boggs said.
How are they going to fund this program on $40,000 a year. It states that it will be operated 24 hours a day 7 days a week. How will they staff the call center? Volunteers? A lot of questions need to be asked.
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When the county can’t properly fund its sheriff’s department and cannot afford to build and operate an adequate jail, it has no business considering more social welfare spending. This 211 is just another bleeding heart operation designed to help people on the public draw to find ways to get an even bigger public draw. Enough already; and even though I’ve supported United Way in the past it may be time to reconsider.
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Reading this article, I have several questions and comments.
I’ve never heard of 211 but did some research to find out more. Apparently it is a national, toll-free, three-digit phone number like 911 but for information purposes about health and human services. It enables people to find out about vital resources in their community quickly and easily.
There are other three digit numbers in use also, including 711 for hearing impaired, 511 for transportation, 311 for local government services, and etc.
The 211 could help answer questions such as ‘assistance for an aging parent’, ‘family member with a drinking problem’, ‘help with child care’, ‘I want to volunteer’, ‘I can’t pay my rent’, etc.
211 is a collaborative effort between agencies that came about after 911. Ohio is a state that has an operational 211 system. In most areas the 211 system is a collaborative with county and city governments, community-based organizations, local hospitals and libraries and 911 service.
So, what should the county commissioners be asking? First, what is United Ways involvement? Since Ohio has an operational system, is the state contributing funds or funding the entire service? If so, why is a donation needed? How many callers are typical in other Appalachian counties? What am I actually paying for and who is making profits? Who answers the calls? How much will it save? How is it funded in other areas? What do callers need or want? Does the service have national standards to conform to? I’ve read where the entire funding for 911 comes from United Way in some places like Atlanta GA, why would they not entirely fund 211 service for southern Ohio? Are other community organizations being asked to contribute – if so – maybe the entire $40,000 will not be needed. The hospitals spend millions on advertising for profit, maybe they can contribute and save the county money.
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Aren’t their better things to spend that money on that will help the area?
Also, Tribune, you’re website is going downhill fast. Better fix it or people will start going elsewhere. The stupid interstitials are going to drive people away.
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