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HelpLine/2-1-1 PRESENTATION Kern County Network for Children May 17, 2007. The Partnership. Created in 1965 by the Lyndon Johnson administration Federally designated agency in Kern County to fight poverty Private/Non-profit 18 major programs Serve 130,000 low-income residents
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HelpLine/2-1-1 PRESENTATION Kern County Network for ChildrenMay 17, 2007
The Partnership • Created in 1965 by the Lyndon Johnson administration • Federally designated agency in Kern County to fight poverty • Private/Non-profit • 18 major programs • Serve 130,000 low-income residents • Major growth in the last 8 years • Approximately 800 employees • Mission: Fight Poverty
What is 2-1-1 2-1-1 is a single telephone number that cuts through the red tape and connects you to a trained information and referral specialist who suggests community and government organizations who can help. Whether you are looking for help or looking to volunteer, 2-1-1 helps you navigate the health and human service system in times of crisis or in times of everyday needs and challenges.
How does it work? • Similar to your local telephone book, 4-1-1, and the internet, 2-1-1 is an information source of all non-profit and government services available in the community. From utility and food assistance, to volunteer opportunities, to child care and aging referrals, 2-1-1 cuts through the red tape and connects real people with real services. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is an easy way to find or give help in your community.
Who answers 2-1-1 calls? • In Kern County, 2-1-1 service will be provided by the Community Action Partnership of Kern (the Partnership). The Partnership currently provides Information and Referral services through its HelpLine program. • HelpLine is the county’s only centralized Information and Referral Service. • HelpLine’s Mission is to link Kern County residents in need with appropriate social and community services through the provision of quality Information and Referral services. • Residents can access this service by calling us at 661-336-5200. If you are not in the 661 area code residents can call our toll free number at 1-800-273-2275. Services are currently available Monday – Fridays from 8am – 5pm.
Who Calls 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is for everyone: • Adult children seeking services for elderly parents • People who want to donate time, money, or goods to a nonprofit organization • Laid-off workers struggling to feed their families • Disaster victims seeking loved ones, housing, food, counseling • Teachers, clergy, and agency staff seeking help for their clients
Do other states have 2-1-1? • Twenty-six states have access to 2-1-1 service that reaches 94 million Americans — more than 34% of the population. All remaining 24 states — including California — are in the process of planning and developing community-based 2-1-1 service. The first 2-1-1 system was started in Atlanta in 1997, followed by statewide service for Connecticut in 1999. After September 11, 2001, Connecticut's 2-1-1 system connected bereaved callers to services, fielded opportunities to donate or volunteer, and handled calls for the besieged Red Cross, demonstrating the central role 2-1-1 plays during a disaster.
2-1-1 Services in California 2-1-1 service is currently available in the following counties in California: • Los Angeles • San Diego • Orange County • Ventura • Santa Barbara • San Francisco • San Bernardino • Fresno has recently established its call center for Information and Referral.
Benefits of 2-1-1 • 2-1-1 is a non-partisan, non-ideological, and non-judgmental information source for the many government, faith based, and community-based services provided in the community. • When a caller does not know where to turn a full range of options is provided. When the caller asks for specific organizational information, that information is provided. • 2-1-1 objectively tracks needs and trends in real-time so communities can come together to address local issues. • From utility and food assistance, to rumor control and volunteer opportunities, to child care and aging referrals, 2-1-1 cuts though the red tape and connects real people with real services. • 2-1-1 allows residents to have access to a critical crisis communications tool.
Coming Soon • In the Fall of this year the Partnership will be launching the 2-1-1 system. Services will be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.