2-1-1 Helpline Answers the Needs of Hunterdon

Caption (pictured left to right): Bonnie Duncan, Executive Director of United Way of Hunterdon County, Jeanne Cassano, Executive Director of Hunterdon Helpline and one of 2-1-1's Community Resource Specialists, celebrate the statewide launch locally in Hunterdon County on February 11th

During the past 2 years, more than 127,000 calls have been connected to the health and human services, community resources, and government assistance individuals need thanks to the 2-1-1 Helpline that has been implemented through a strong partnership between Hunterdon Helpline, United Way, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Sprint.

The overwhelming success of 2-1-1 in Hunterdon led to a statewide launch of 2-1-1 on February 10, 2005. Hunterdon's Call Center, Hunterdon Helpline, was the first county to go on-line and pilot the 2-1-1 initiative in October of 2002. Over the past two years efforts have continued to build capacity and ensure 2-1-1 services are available to the entire state through a distributed network of Call Centers.

"Every day someone in our community needs essential services - from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent," said Don Pinner, Board President of the United Way of Hunterdon County. "Although there are a large number of agencies and help lines ready to assist, people do not always know how to access the appropriate one. In many cases, they end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they do not know where to start. Fortunately, for thousands of local people in need of assistance, the introduction of 2-1-1 has become a vital resource and a critical link." 

Freeholder Director, Marcia Karrow also recognizes the strong impact that 2-1-1 has made. "2-1-1 has strengthened our entire community by putting local people in a better position to access health and human service programs," said Ms. Karrow. "2-1-1 is also putting us in a better position to anticipate demand for services in our area and mobilize resources to meet changing needs."

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable telephone number that connects individuals and families to the health and human services, community resources, and government assistance they need. Landline and cell phone calls to 2-1-1 are always free and confidential. Multi-lingual, Information Specialists make appropriate referral to community-based organizations and government agencies. Ongoing monitoring is also conducted by 2-1-1 Information Specialists to assure links are made and service is provided. TTY / TTD is also available.

2-1-1 Information Specialists provide comprehensive information and referral services to callers about a variety of issues, including:

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

•  Support for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services. 

• Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, NJFamily Care (health insurance programs), family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.

• 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, and education programs. 

The 2-1-1 Helpline is accessible to everyone living and working in the State of New Jersey. Local 2-1-1 Call Centers are geographically distributed throughout the state, drawing on local based information and assistance expertise to provide access to a full range of resources. In the United States, 2-1-1 is being deployed state by state with advocacy and support provided by local government and United Way. Currently, about 34% of the U.S. population has 2-1-1 access, and plans are focused on bringing 2-1-1 to 50% of the U.S. population by the end of 2005 and growing to 100% soon thereafter.

Hunterdon Helpline has been providing quality Information & Referral services to our community for the past 35 years. United Way of Hunterdon County is focused on supporting programs that lend assistance to children at-risk, people with disabilities, families in crisis, the elderly, and the hungry and homeless. In the past year alone, nearly 40% of the people that live and/or work in Hunterdon County benefited from a program supported by United Way.

For more information, please call 2-1-1.