The United Way of Pierce County (UWPC) aims to connect local residents with essential community resources and volunteer opportunities as part of a newly launched 2-1-1 telephone service.

Director of 211 Shawn Parkhurst said UWPC has had a similar helpline operation for 15 years.

“211 is basically our helpline project just connecting people in an easier way,” she noted. “They now have a three-digit dialing code that is just as easy to remember as 9-1-1 or 4-1-1.”

She explained it was a logical choice for UWPC to become Pierce County’s 211 service since it has operated the helpline since 1991. “It is an easy way for folks to get connected and an easy number to remember so folks can call to get the help they need,” she said.

Pierce County is slightly behind its neighbors, Snohomish and King, which both began offering the 211 service in February. Parkhurst said Pierce County’s 211 went into test mode in late July, and publicly launched the week of Aug. 14.  Though she did note, UWPC has been receiving some calls since its adjacent counties had the service, and there is some coverage overlay. The goal is to have 211 service in every part of Washington by early 2007.

Nationwide, United Way of America is partnering with the Alliance of Information and Referrals System (AIRS) to get 211 coverage to all states. Parkhurst said 39 states have 211 with about 52 percent of the U.S. population being served.

The only glitch in Washington, she noted, is cell phones and pay phones. The 211 number works from any landline, but not on cell or pay phones. Though, individuals who wish to use the service from such devices can use the toll free number, 1-877-211-WASH.

Parkhurst explained with cell phones its sometimes “unclear where to route a call” since someone living in Washington may have a cell number with an out-of-state area code. Though, the matter is expected to be resolved by early next year, she commented.  
UWPC is excited about the new service, according to Parkhurst.

“We’re hoping to be able to reach a larger percentage of the population just because it is an easy number to remember,” she said, adding people who use the service should pass the word.

The 211 service is anonymous. Parkhurst said when an individual calls, all the operator needs is a ZIP code to help determine the closest resource to that person. For instance if a caller from 98372 seeks a health care facility, he or she will be connected to Good Samaritan or a clinic in that area. 

In addition to referring resources, Parkhurst noted 211 can also help people get connected with opportunities to become involved in their community through United Way’s Volunteer Center. Also via its gift in-kind program, by calling 211, she said, local residents can find “good homes for their donations.

 “We get them out agencies whose people are transitioning from a homeless shelter into their own home and need household goods,” she added.

Locally, the Pierce County 211 call center receives funding through UWPC, state government, foundations and corporate support.
 
In Pierce County, United Way 211 will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with a 24-hour voicemail. Funding is currently being sought to support the expansion of statewide services to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, contact United Way of Pierce County at (253) 272-4263 or visit www.uwpc.org or www.211.org.

United Way of Pierce County's 211 offers access to the following types of services:

-   Basic human needs resources: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance
-  Physical and mental health resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children’s       Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation
-   Employment supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs
-   Support for seniors and persons with disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services
-   Support for children, youth and families: child care, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
-    Volunteer opportunities and donations.