2-1-1 Regional Partner Training
Combatting Compassion Fatigue
Friday, March 20th
8:30-11am
Vancouver First Church of God
Vancouver, WA
$35 per attendee
|
See flyer and registration info
|
| 2009 Washington County Community Resource Directories Now Available |
Expanded Directory: $30
Quick Reference Guide: $15
For more information and order form
Directories are produced by Community Action of Washington County's Information & Referral Program, a 211 Regional Partner
|
Housing Connections.org is a free resource for both landlords and renters.
Use this local website to search for subsidized, non-profit, and private market housing across the Portland/Vancouver Metro region.
The website receives almost 5,000 searches a week. Currently there are 594 units available within 30 day or less!
Can't get on-line, call us at 2-1-1 and we will search for you.
|
|
|
2-1-1: THE BIG COUNT
Across the United States
The number of 2-1-1 calls answered by the 225 call centers in 2008 was 14,187,192. This is a 44% increase over 2007 which was, in turn, a 21% increase over 2006.
To learn more about 2-1-1 national access click here.
|
|
|
2-1-1
Information & Referral
Dial 2-1-1
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
or if 2-1-1 doesn't
work from your phone
503-222-5555
Portland Metro
Multnomah
Washington &
Clackamas Counties
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
1-877-501-0252
SW Washington
Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania
and Wahkiakum Counties
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
1-866-442-0954
Central Oregon
Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
OregonSafeNet
1-800-SAFENET
Available state-wide,
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Housing Connections
Dial 2-1-1 or 503-802-8562
Available in the four-county
Metro Region
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Multnomah County
Winter Shelter/
Portland Severe
Weather Hotline
Dial 2-1-1 or 503-721-1500
November 1-March 31
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm
Sat/Sun 10am-8pm |
|
|
|
Check out our Facebook page, get updates about trainings, tours and learn more about the fabulous 211 team!
|
Support 2-1-1
|
211info is an independent non- profit organization supported by local funders and by your generous contributions.
|
|
 |
211info is a United Way
Community Impact Partner
To learn more about United Way of Columbia Willamette's Community Relief Fund: Click Here
|
|
|
2-1-1 in the News:
Local Coverage Highlights Strengths of 2-1-1 Service in the Economic Crisis
|
2-1-1 Offers Hope and Help
by Jill Smith, The Oregonian--February 12, 2009
For the once-comfortable people left poor and desperate during this recession, 2-1-1 could be a magic number, connecting them with food boxes, foreclosure counseling and homeless shelters. But many who've never had to seek assistance before aren't aware of the phone help line.
The local nonprofit branch of 2-1-1, which has networks across the nation, has three big needs: a higher profile, more money and better resources to offer a rapidly growing number of callers. To that end, state and federal efforts seek to expand 211info's hours and reach. The call center serves Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties, plus southwest Washington.
|
2-1-1 Increases Capacity for Growing Food Stamp Calls
|
Every day we hear about unemployment and economic concerns, it's no surprise that more individuals and families are looking for help to get food on their table. The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced they are in an emergency situation and are adding more temporary staff. The total number of people in Oregon receiving food stamps went from 448,545 in Dec. 2007 to 520,649 in Dec. 2008, a 15.5% increase.
Where does 211info fit in? Our statewide helpline, Oregon SafeNet, is partially funded through the Food Stamp Program to provide information and advocacy to individuals and families applying for assistance.The 2-1-1 call center staff are trained on food stamp eligibility guidelines and application procedures. Our staff can explain where and how to apply, what to expect, how best to communicate with the DHS and how to resolve issues. In fact, the Oregon SafeNet phone number appears on the food stamp application, on the DHS website and on numerous food stamp publications produced by DHS and the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force.
The increased demand for food stamps has had a major impact on our call volume. In December 2008 we took a total of 1,028 calls for food stamps compared to 507 calls in December 2007. To support the increasing call volume, our partners at DHS are providing temporary financial support for the Oregon Safenet helpline to increase call center staffing.
To learn more about Food Stamp eligibility and application procedures call 1-800-SAFENET (723-3638) or visit the Oregon SafeNet website.
|
Central Oregon Launches 2-1-1
|
Although more than 80% of the U.S. population has access to 2-1-1, prior to the introduction of Central Oregon 211, the only people in Oregon with access to the service were in the Portland metropolitan area. Now, people living in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties can dial 2-1-1 and be connected with a trained Information & Referral Specialist.
The implementation of Central Oregon 211 is spearheaded through a partnership between the United Way of Deschutes County, the Partnership to End Poverty, the Family Resource Center and 211info. For more information please visit the CO211 website at www.co211.info
|
|
Meet Our New Call Center Manager, Oscar Rincones
|
 Oscar Rincones met 211info's Executive Director Jeri Shumate in Monroe, Louisiana in September 2005. Both had responded to a call from United Way in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Oscar brings extensive call center experience working as the Supervisor/Call Center Manager for five years at the 211 Tampa Bay Cares in Florida. After leaving Florida, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin working first as a receptionist at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin and then at the City of Milwaukee Health Department as Assistant to the Public Information Officer for the Health Commissioner.
211info is delighted to welcome Oscar, and looks forward to incorporating his knowledge and experience in disaster planning and response.
|
Resource Update: Free Tax Preparation
|
Did you know that you can get your taxes done for free? Filed electronically? by a trained volunteer who will ensure you are receiving all of your Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC)?
2-1-1 refers callers to their local tax preparation assistance sites. Using the AARP's tax aide locator, 2-1-1 Information and Referral Specialists will link callers to tax prep assistance sites in their neighborhood. This service is targeted to low-income individuals, families and seniors.
|
Caller's Needs--January-December 2008
|
The most common calls coming to 2-1-1 are from those seeking basic needs services such as food, health care and utility assistance. But 2-1-1 also provides information about more specialized and seasonal services, such as tax preparation assistance, holiday assistance, summer food, low cost rental housing and cancer screening services through our partner help lines: Oregon SafeNet, Housing Connections and Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.
The 211info Resource Department maintains a database of over 4,000 programs--community services, public agencies, faith-based program, and web-based resources available in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
To search the 211 Community Resource Database, click here
For more information about 211's callers, contact 211info's Outreach Manager
2008 Caller Needs
Representing all 211info helplines
Calls Answered: 108,035
Caller Needs: 118,313
|
|
|
|
