Dialing 211 uncovers services

It's like Google, except it's for all the social services in yourarea. And you don't need the Internet.

All you have to do is dial 2-1-1, and you'll be connected withoperators who know virtually every local organization in the book.They can point you to services like food banks, shelters, rentassistance organizations, job training programs, child care resourcesand even summer camps.

Best of all, it's free.

Since March 2006, the Heart of America United Way and the UnitedWay of Greater St. Joseph have provided 211 services for parts ofNorthwest Missouri, including Buchanan, Andrew, DeKalb, Clinton andPlatte counties. The Missouri Foundation for Health and the UnitedWay of Greater St. Louis announced Thursday that it will commit $8.5million to bring 211 to the rest of the state.

Tom Dugard, president and CEO of the Heart of America United Way,said 211 provides easy access to often difficult-to-find services.

"People no longer have to worry about reaching available serviceswhen they have a problem," he said. "The 211 operator will do it forthem."

Since the 211 helplines opened in March 2006, Mr. Dugard saidoperators have fielded more than 65,000 calls. Representatives fromthe United Way of Greater St. Louis said the statewide helplinesanticipate about 180,000 calls each year.

"Providing the 211 program across the state is important becausepeople tend to think of services only being offered in urban areas,"said Dr. James Kimmey, president and CEO of the Missouri Foundationfor Health. "This will open up services for rural and urbanresidents."

Mr. Dugard said Kansas City United Way 211, a 24-hour service,also can be of assistance in times of crisis, like the recent KansasCity chemical fire.

"In a crisis situation, 911 is often overloaded," he said. "We hadpeople living downtown calling us to see if they should get a hotelroom."

In St. Joseph, the 211 service will soon be available 24 hours,but it isn't yet. Penny Adams, of AFL-CIO Community Services, said211 calls will soon be transferred to Kansas City at night. Rightnow, people are asked to leave a message with an answering serviceafter 5 p.m.

The Northwest Missouri counties that will be receiving 211services from the Missouri Foundation for Health and the United Wayof Greater St. Louis grant should be able to call by the end of theyear.

The 211 statewide service will be phased in over the next twoyears.