Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Forum to detail 'Big Oil' attempt to block climate bill ... Darex adding space and employees amid a sales boom ... Ticket availability ... Forum to detail 'Big Oil' attempt to block climate bill ... Darex adding space and employees amid a sales boom ... Ticket availability ... SOCIAL SERVICES 211 service connects people with resources Comment By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 7:57 PM By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 7:57 PM » RELATED CONTENT • 2-1-1 is number to remember to find low-cost services » Social News Information on local health and social services is now more accessible by calling 211. Just like calling 911 for an emergency or 411 for a phone number, Oregon residents can call 211 for information regarding health and social services. The statewide nonprofit 211info is part of the nationwide 211 phone system. Staff are available to answer calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact can also be made by emailing [email protected] or by texting one’s zip code to 898211. Options of services vary from recreational programs to assistance programs, according to Carrie Prechtel, community engagement coordinator. Food, energy, shelter, health and dental assistance are the top needs in Jackson County. “There’s something in it for everyone,” said Prechtel. “We have programs from pre-conception to senior age; camps, library programs, you name it.” A caller gives the 211 worker their zip code and that’s the only information actually required. It is the caller’s choice to proceed with more personal information. After a short discussion of what the caller is looking for, the 211 worker will refer the caller to a number of local agencies that can help and explain about the suggested services. “The more information given helps staff better define services the caller qualifies for,” said Prechtel. Staff at 211 also screen callers for qualification for programs and inform them of any documents or paperwork that would be helpful to bring with them to their appointment. All information is anonymous and confidential, according to Prechtel, and they have bilingual staff on hand. The Oregon 211info organization has been statewide since 2013; before that, it mostly served the Portland area (where headquarters are located). Now 211info serves all of Oregon and southwest Washington. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, 211info answered 427 calls and 53 texts and emails in Jackson County, according to a quarterly report from the website. These numbers have increased with each quarter. Most callers who reported their income level were at or below the federal poverty level. In 2016, the poverty level for a family of four is $24,250 gross annual income, according to the report. “We make sure that all the person’s needs are taken care of,” said Prechtel. “For example, if someone calls in about help with their energy bill, the staff might ask if they have enough food to eat and if they might need assistance with SNAP (foodstamps).” The people in the call center are trained for more than a month before they begin taking calls, according to Prechtel. The top five agency referrals for Jackson county are to ACCESS, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, CASH Oregon and the Department of Human Services. “Our disaster action team responders and caseworkers refer people to 211 often to help guide them in the right direction,” said Jenny Carver, disaster program manager of the Southwest Red Cross chapter. “We use it internally to build our own database, as well.” “The best thing about 211info is that the information is up-to-date and reliable,” said Prechtel. “When you Google something, you may not find a reliable source.” Health and social agencies used to advertise with paper brochures, according to Prechtel. “Those things are out of date as soon as they’re printed,” said Prechtel. “This is the best way to spread information about these services.” In April, a “family line” was introduced with a number of child development specialists for children under 8 years old. Parents can call 211 and ask to be directed to the family line where they can gain advice on a wide variety of topics ranging from stress to potty training. Starting this month, a 24/7 hotline for foster parents will be implemented, giving parents help and support with their foster children. In July, childcare referrals will begin for anybody looking for any type of childcare services, according to Prechtel. For more information, go online to 211info.org — or call 211. Email Tidings intern Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected]. By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 7:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501