MAHONING VALLEY 2-1-1 hot line puts services at residents' fingertips

The number is for nonemergency information.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Need help with food or shelter or counseling?
Just dial 2-1-1, the new nonemergency information and referral telephone number scheduled to go into service in Mahoning and Columbiana counties Monday morning.
The 2-1-1 calls will be handled by Help Hotline, which provides information and referral services to the residents of Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
The new service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing 2-1-1 or the traditional Help Hotline number, (330) 747-2696, said JoAnn Stock, director of campaign and marketing for the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
Dialing 2-1-1 puts people in touch with community-based organizations and government agencies that provide a variety of services, information and everyday needs in times of crisis.
Though 2-1-1 is similar in concept to 9-1-1, there is a major difference. 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, and 2-1-1 is for nonemergency information and referral, Stock said.
Partnership
The cost of 2-1-1 educational materials is partially underwritten by the Mahoning County commissioners and the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency, and additional funding for the implementation of 2-1-1 was provided by SBC Ameritech, Stock said.
"The partnership between the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way and Help Hotline, and other community and government organizations, focuses on the need to make community services more accessible to those in need," said Don Cagigas, United Way president.
"People sometimes have trouble navigating the complicated web of health and human services, and don't know where to begin to get help. In many cases, people end up going without necessary and readily available services because they don't know where to start," said Ron Marian, executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health Board.
Ruth Adams, a 26-year Help Hotline volunteer, was selected to make the ceremonial 'first call' to the new 2-1-1 phone number.
Emergencies
In addition to day-to-day information and referral, 2-1-1 can be a critical information system during a community crisis, such as a flood, fire, or other local or national tragedy, by fielding calls regarding the crisis and directing callers to services most appropriate for their needs," said Walt Duzzny, director of the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency.
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta launched the first 2-1-1 service in 1997, officials noted.
alcorn@vindy.com