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Today Is 2-1-1 Day in Mahoning County
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In the Mahoning County Courthouse, Don Cagigas and Duane Piccirilli this morning declared today 2-1-1 Day in the county, a reflection, they said, of the success achieved by Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way and Help Hotline since last June 28.Cagigas is president of United Way. Piccirilli is executive director of Help Hotline. Since that date, county residents have made 8,000 calls for non emergency information and referrals by dialing 2-1-1, Piccirilli and Cagigas reported. Said Piccirilli, "The majority of the calls have been from people looking for help with basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and utility assistance."Added Cagigas, "The partnership between the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way and Help Hotline, and other community and government organizations focuses on the need to make community services more accessible to those in need. With 2-1-1, we're breaking down the barriers between those who need help and those who can help them."People looking for assistance sometimes have trouble navigating the complicated web of health and human services, and do not know where to begin to get help," he added. "With 2-1-1, people from our community have one number for easy access to community resources. 2-1-1 is fast, efficient and easy-to-use." The 2-1-1 system is a free service of Help Hotline and available to county residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are connected with various community services that provide information and referrals about human services whether for everyday needs or crises.2-1-1 offers easy access to community-based organizations and government agencies that provide various services. Among them:Basic Human Needs Resources -- such as food banks, shelters, rent and help paying utility bills.Physical and Mental Health Resources -- such as health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, CHIPS, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitationSupport for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities -- such as adult day care, congregate meals, home-delivered meals, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.Support for Children, Youth and Families -- such as child care, after school programs, Head Start, summer camps and recreational programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services."