2-1-1 is coming to North Central Oklahoma
2-1-1 is an easy to remember, three digit, free 24-hour telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 will be available in Ponca City on April 1, 2008. The North Central Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory committee met in Ponca City at the United Way office to discuss implementation of the 2-1-1 system in this part of the state.
The Community Development Support Association (CDSA) of Enid has taken the lead as the location for 2-1-1 in the counties of Kay, Noble, Pawnee, Grant, Garfield, Payne and part of Osage. In August, CDSA received a start-up grant from the Department of Human Services through the Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative. United Way of Ponca City is presently serving as the data entry center for the 6 ˝ counties. “We are very excited to bring 2-1-1 to Ponca City”, says Helene Schwartz, United Way director and Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative board member. “We have been looking for an agency to take the lead and CDSA is the perfect partner. They have been providing Information and Referral services for many years and have the expertise and infrastructure to provide a first rate 2-1-1 for central Oklahoma”. With the help of area services, United Way will continue to provide the most up-to-date information for the call specialists to insure the callers are connected to the services they need.
2-1-1 operates in local communities with support from private and public sources. It is not supported by a phone surcharge like 9-1-1. Counties throughout Oklahoma are developing funding partnerships including local and state government, the business community, United Ways, and charitable foundations. The funding picture for each county is unique. Oklahoma 2-1-1 has developed a public-private partnership with the Oklahoma State Legislature. The state’s on-going operational cost is about $5 million per year.
2-1-1 is operational in 58 counties covering more than 90% of our state’s population. In April, 2008, the last two areas, North Central Oklahoma and Northwestern Oklahoma will begin operations covering the remaining Oklahoma counties. These centers will provide a single central repository for individuals needing assistance to all community services, both public and private, available to assist them in their time of need.
A person in need is able to reach their 2-1-1 Call Center by dialing 2-1-1 on any telephone in the service area, at no cost to the caller. The Call Center ensures coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained Call Service Specialist at the Call Center assesses the caller’s needs and determines which service providers are best equipped to help using the center’s health & human service database, then making the necessary referrals. Once the caller’s needs are determined, the Service Specialist refers the caller directly to appropriate service providers.
Many non-emergency calls now received by 9-1-1 for community information and human service assistance can be handled by 2-1-1 Call Centers, freeing 9-1-1 to respond to police, fire, and medical emergencies. Police officers, teachers, counselors, nurses, and others frequently help citizens locate human services. The only number they will need to remember is 2-1-1.
In times of disaster, 2-1-1 can be part of our community’s coordinated response. Working with emergency management, law enforcement, and homeland security, 2-1-1 will provide accurate information to callers about a wide range of concerns. This reduces the burden on 9-1-1 services and keeps that system free for true emergencies. Part of the OK 2-1-1 strategy includes relationships with the state’s Emergency Management Department and Office of Homeland Security to get 2-1-1 integrated into the state’s disaster planning efforts. This system has already been very successful in southeastern Oklahoma during the spring floods.
As of June 2007 2-1-1 is serving approximately 198 million Americans, approximately 65% of the U.S. population. By the end of 2008 80% of the population is expected to have 2-1-1 access.
For more information on 211 click on www.211oklahoma.org. 2-1-1 Nationwide www.211.org or contact United Way of Ponca City at 765.2476 or www.unitedwayponcacity.org