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WHAT IS 211
211
is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people to a full range
of non-emergency social, health and government services in their community.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, trained counsellors answer 211
calls, assess the needs of each caller and link them to the best available
information and services.
WHY
211
Over
the past few decades, the number of health and social service organizations
and agencies has mushroomed, over and above what is provided by governments.
Lack of services is often not the problem – it is knowing what services
exist, which are best suited to the situation and how to access them.
Whether you are a senior looking for a flu shot, a victim of violence
needing help, a recent immigrant seeking language training, or parents
looking for child care, 211 can help.
WHY 211 WORKS
Single
window:
211 provides one access point to a community’s full range of social, health
and government services.
Targeted help:
211 counsellors are trained to draw out necessary information, understand
the problem and find the organization and service that is best suited to
provide help.
A personal
touch:
211 lets people talk to people. Callers can explain their situation in their
own words to a trained counsellor and get the help and understanding they
need.
Multilingual:
211 has multilingual capacity, an important asset in Canada - one of the
most diverse populations in the world.
Around the
clock access:
211 provides 24 hour a day, seven day a week service because needs do not
always arise during usual working hours.
Confidential:
211 offers a neutral environment and provides confidential access to
information.
WHO BENEFITS FROM 211
People
of all ages, backgrounds and needs benefit from 211. Callers can get help
with day-to-day needs as well as in coping with crisis situations resulting
from natural disasters or other far-reaching events. 211 can provide:
• support to
children, youth and their families;
• access to human
services and programs;
• information on
physical and mental services;
• assistance to
the disabled, seniors and newcomers to Canada; and
• support for
finding employment.
Service
organizations,
whether they are government or non-government, benefit from 211 because it
links their services with people in need.
Volunteers:
211 connects people who want to help their community with opportunities to
donate time and/or money.
Governments:
211 can relieve pressure on other information services provided by
governments and reduce the number of help-lines supported by governments. It
can deliver accurate information that dispels harmful rumours during times
of emergency or crisis. 211 can also help to promote government health and
safety programs.
Society:
211 benefits all of society because it creates an integrated social
infrastructure that supports people in times of personal difficulty and
community crises. This integrated system can also provide a clearer picture
of community needs across the country.
For further information on
211 in Canada and the US, visit www.211.ca
(Canadian Initiative) or www.211.org
(USA initiative).
FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON THE 211 NIAGARA INITIATIVE
Rosanna
Thoms, Executive Director
301 St Paul St, Box 1, St Catharines L2R 3M8
Phone: 905-682-4056; Fax: 905-682-4314
rthoms@informationniagara.com
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