[February 03, 2012] 2-1-1 system aids people in need Tweet Feb 03, 2012 (Star Beacon - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Imagine being in this situation: A guy you met on the Internet shows up at your house and takes you for a ride in his pickup truck. But by the time you get as far as the Route 45/Interstate 90 intersection, you figure out your date is a jerk and you want out, even if you are far from your home in another state. When he dumps you off at the truck stop, your cyber date departs with your purse containing all your money and identification. Without an ID, the social service agencies can't help you, and without money, you can't get a meal or room for the night. This was the scenario facing a caller who used the 2-1-1 Ashtabula County system to connect with caring people who helped the stranded women get back home. David Jordan, director of community services for Ashtabula County Community Action, says the 2-1-1 operator was able to calm the caller, put her in touch with the police and make a connection to an agency in her home state, which faxed a copy of her driver's license. That allowed the caller to use the Samaritan House shelter that night, and the next day, 2-1-1 assisted in making the arrangements to get the woman back home. By the time she left, Ashtabula County, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul and Ashtabula City Taxi Cab had assisted her with the transportation requirements. Community Action is using the first 11 days of the second month of the year to highlight the county's 2-1-1 service, which is available in most states. More than 80 percent of Ohio is covered by a 2-1-1 program available by land line telephone service. Ashtabula County's program covers all telephone exchanges in the county and is available by land lines and cell phones. It provides both comprehensive information and referral services. Further, if the call is for senior information and referral services, 2-1-1 Ashtabula County does a follow-up call to make sure the senior received the help being sought. The service also has the ability to directly link the senior to the provider so the caller does not even have to dial the number. Atlanta, Ga., was the first community in the United States to implement a 2-1-1 information and referral line. In 1999 Connecticut became the first state to have a statewide system, which uses a single call center. The following year, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) designated 2-1-1 as the number to call for human services information and referral, as well as opportunities for civic involvement. The county's program was launched July 21, 2003, but it was known as 2-1-1 ACQUIRE. The name was later changed to 2-1-1 Ashtabula County to reflect the service area. The county's program was the second in Ohio to serve as a designated 2-1-1 call center. Jordan says the center, which is staffed by certified information and referral specialists, has responded to more than 130,000 calls. Community Action will hold an open house at the 2-1-1 center, 2009 W. Prospect Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10. The staff of 2-1-1 will be available to talk about the system and light refreshments will be served. ___ (c)2012 the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio) Visit the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio) at www.starbeacon.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]