Tennessee 211

2-1-1 In the News

Single Social-Services Telephone Help Line

BRAD SCHRADE
Staff Writer

A single social-services telephone help line, 2-1-1, should be operational in Middle Tennessee by August. Proponents say it will streamline service for people sometimes caught in the maze of 2,800 nonprofit agencies that provide services. The help line was approved Thursday night by the board of the local United Way, which is spearheading the effort with help from other organizations.

The line will join the 9-1-1 emergency line and 4-1-1 phone information directory as easy-to-remember phone numbers to seek assistance. People will be able to dial 2-1-1 and get an operator who can listen to their problem and direct them to the right agency to help. It is for people needing any social and human services - a broad umbrella that includes health care, shelter, personal crisis intervention, counseling and other services. About 25% of the country, including Chattanooga, Knoxville and Atlanta, already has the 2-1-1 line.

''It's a simple number,'' said Mark Desmond, president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. ''And for people in need - they're holding on by a thread - they're not carrying around a seven-digit number for a specific service. The database is more comprehensive and will be constantly updated.''

The key to the program is a comprehensive database of the agencies serving those in need, he said. On average, a person must make about eight calls before getting to an agency that can help. The new line's goal is to reduce

that figure dramatically. Eventually that database will be available for people to access on the Internet. The database will include agencies from 22 counties, but initially the 2-1-1 line will be available only in 11 counties, including Davidson.

Memphis is scheduled to have it soon, and eventually the system should be available statewide. The local operating budget for the first 15 months will be about $500,000 and most of it is private money. The Metro health department is contributing about $50,000, and about $100,000 is from the federal government.

The database will provide another benefit. It will help policy-makers track problems the community faces and should give them better information to address trends in the community. Crisis Center is the United Way's operational partner on the project, and its employees will manage and operate the call center. AmSouth Bank is the major corporate sponsor for the project.

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	2-1-1 In the News Single Social-Services Telephone Help Line BRAD SCHRADE Staff Writer A single social-services telephone help line, 2-1-1, should be operational in Middle Tennessee by August. Proponents say it will streamline service for people sometimes caught in the maze of 2,800 nonprofit agencies that provide services. The help line was approved Thursday night by the board of the local United Way, which is spearheading the effort with help from other organizations. The line will join the 9-1-1 emergency line and 4-1-1 phone information directory as easy-to-remember phone numbers to seek assistance. People will be able to dial 2-1-1 and get an operator who can listen to their problem and direct them to the right agency to help. It is for people needing any social and human services - a broad umbrella that includes health care, shelter, personal crisis intervention, counseling and other services. About 25% of the country, including Chattanooga, Knoxville and Atlanta, already has the 2-1-1 line. ''It's a simple number,'' said Mark Desmond, president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. ''And for people in need - they're holding on by a thread - they're not carrying around a seven-digit number for a specific service. The database is more comprehensive and will be constantly updated.'' The key to the program is a comprehensive database of the agencies serving those in need, he said. On average, a person must make about eight calls before getting to an agency that can help. The new line's goal is to reduce that figure dramatically. Eventually that database will be available for people to access on the Internet. The database will include agencies from 22 counties, but initially the 2-1-1 line will be available only in 11 counties, including Davidson. Memphis is scheduled to have it soon, and eventually the system should be available statewide. The local operating budget for the first 15 months will be about $500,000 and most of it is private money. The Metro health department is contributing about $50,000, and about $100,000 is from the federal government. The database will provide another benefit. It will help policy-makers track problems the community faces and should give them better information to address trends in the community. Crisis Center is the United Way's operational partner on the project, and its employees will manage and operate the call center. AmSouth Bank is the major corporate sponsor for the project. top