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"2-1-1 Hotline Launched in Mahoning, Columbiana Counties"
"By Elise McKeownBOARDMAN -- The Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way and Help Hotline today launched a new telephone number to call for non-emergency information and referrals to community services in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.The number, 2-1-1, is a free, around-the-clock service operated by Help Hotline. It links residents of Mahoning and Columbiana counties with services provided by community-based organizations and government agencies. A community-needs study conducted by the United Way showed the need for a centralized referral service, said Don Cagigas, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way president, at a press conference this morning when he announced the launch of 2-1-1. "Without Help Hotline, we almost would have had to start a new organization," Cagigas said. "But they're a perfect fit for this type of a service."Help Hotline, in operation 28 years, is "a crisis line and informational phone line," said Duane Piccirilli, executive director. The hotline is manned by paid staff and volunteers who "go through a very intense training. They're trained in listening skills, crisis intervention, resources," he explained.The first 2-1-1 service was launched in 1997 by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. There are 128 active 2-1-1 systems in 26 states, giving 2-1-1 access to 32% of the U.S. population. Cagigas acknowledged there may be "some confusion, initially" between 9-1-1 and 2-1-1,"but the more we get the word out and educate the public about it, I think it's going to be fine."Hopefully, it's going to eliminate all the other calls to everywhere else," he added, noting that many Mahoning Valley residents call 9-1-1 about matters that are not emergencies.Should a person mistakenly call 2-1-1 in an emergency, "We'd transfer them immediately to 9-1-1," Piccirilli said."Any given day we have a lot of people who call our office," said Dee Crawford, director of Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services. "A lot of people are not eligible [for the services her organization provides], but that does not diminish the need," she added. 2-1-1 gives these individuals a number to call and a person to speak with who's knowledgeable and understands their situation. "We all recognize when someone's in crisis they need help and they need it then," Crawford said, and 2-1-1 is going to do that.2-1-1 offers access to human needs resources, physical and mental health resources, employment support services, support for older Americans and persons with disabilities, support for children, youth and families, and volunteer opportunities.Help Hotline has been working closely with Mahoning County Emergency Management to help residents affected by floods and other disasters, Piccirilli said. Now, "we're going to increase the information in our Rolodex so when an actual crisis does occur we're able to go right into gear and provide the needed support for the Mahoning Valley.""It's important for us when there is a major emergency," agreed Walter M. Duzzny, director of Mahoning County emergency management. "We cannot afford to have our 9-1-1 systems tied up."Funding for 2-1-1 in Mahoning County is provided by the Mahoning County Mental Health Board, the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, SBC Ameritech and Mahoning County commissioners. In Columbiana County, funding was provided by Columbiana County Mental Health Recovery Board and Job and Family Services.United Way of America is working in partnership with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems to promote nationwide access to 2-1-1.Visit the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way at www.ymvunitedway.orgLearn more about the national program at www.211.orgContact Elise McKeown at [email protected]"