United Way Launches 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line 

Sponsored by Language Line Services

Monterey – Friday, February 06, 2009 – United Way Monterey County will celebrate the launch of 2-1-1 Monterey County with a reception and countywide bus rally on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. 

Sponsored by Language Line Services, the launch is designed to create awareness of the new 2-1-1 service, which is available to anyone who lives, works or visits Monterey County.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects people with critical health and human services.  In times of disaster 2-1-1 relieves the burden on 9-1-1 by providing people with vital information about evacuation sites, temporary shelters, road closures, etc.  

It’s fast, free, confidential and available in more than 170 languages, 24 hours a day.    

The official launch begins on February 11th at 11:00 am at the National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas, where attendees will hear the first live call to 2-1-1 Monterey County and learn more about the uses of 2-1-1.

At 12:00 noon a Monterey-Salinas Transit bus will take the launch to cities in the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Peninsula.  Members of the community are invited to join the celebration at any one of the following locations:   

• 1:00 – 1:45 pm – South County Kick-off, King City Library, 402 Broadway Street, King City
• 2:00 – 2:15 pm – Greenfield Library, 315 El Camino Real, Greenfield
• 2:30 – 2:45 pm – Soledad Mission Shopping Center, off 101, Soledad
• 3:00 – 3:15 pm – Gonzalez Center, 5th Street off Highway 101, Gonzalez
• 4:30 – 4:45 pm – Marina Library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Avenue, Seaside
• 5:30 – 7:00 pm – Closing Reception, Monterey Mobility Management Center, 150 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey

A service of United Way Monterey County, 2-1-1 is sponsored by:

• Community Foundation for Monterey County,
  
• Driscoll’s Berries,
  
• First 5 Monterey County,
  
• Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services,
  
• Monterey County Health Department,
  
• Monterey Peninsula Foundation and
  
• Monterey Salinas Transit. 
  

The launch is sponsored by Language Line Services, which provides interpretation in more than 170 languages.

Frequently asked questions 

Fatima Dias at UWMC (831 372-8026, ext. 103) will be pleased to arrange for interviews regarding this event.

How do I use 2-1-1?

If you need to know where to go for help but don’t know who to call, start with 2-1-1.  Tell the Call Specialist what type of service you are looking for.  You will be given referrals (names and phone numbers) of organizations that provide the type of service you are seeking.

What is 2-1-1 used for?

2-1-1 is a centralized clearinghouse for information on community services.  People can find out where to get help and where they can give help or volunteer.  2-1-1 is used for the day-to-day community service needs and during times of disaster to help disseminate useful information.

Who runs 2-1-1?

In Monterey County, a collaboration of many organizations and government entities worked together to develop 2-1-1.   United Way Monterey County has been designated the 2-1-1 Service Provider by the California Public Utilities Commission and has staff dedicated to operating 2-1-1. 

Who answers the 2-1-1 calls?

United Way Monterey County has contracted with a specialized 2-1-1 call center located in Ventura County.  Trained Call Specialists have years of experience answering 2-1-1 calls and will be using information collected and updated by United Way Monterey County staff.

Can I use 2-1-1 wherever I go?

2-1-1 is now available to over 77% of the population nationwide.  You can access 2-1-1 for local resources in 244 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 47 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.  Within California, 2-1-1 services are organized at the county level, and have been established in much of the Bay Area and Southern California. 

What if I don’t speak English?

The 2-1-1 service is available in more than 170 languages at no charge to the calling party.  Many of the Call Specialists speak Spanish and interpretation services are available for other languages. 

Who provides interpretation services?

Language interpretation is provided by Language Line Services, which pioneered over-the-phone interpretation and has more than 25 years of experience.  The company is headquartered in Monterey, California.

What if I am hearing impaired?

The 2-1-1 service is TTY/TDD-capable for the hearing impaired.

How much does it cost to run 2-1-1 Monterey County?

The budget is about $350,000 per year, less than a dollar per resident.

What if someone calls that is in crisis?

Call Specialists are trained to assess crisis calls for transfer to the appropriate crisis line or the local 9-1-1.  The Call Specialist remains on the line with the caller until they are connected to the critical help they need.

What is 2-1-1's Web address?

You can find us here on the Web  http://www.211mc.org/

Can I call 2-1-1 any time?

 2-1-1 calls are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What can I expect when I call 2-1-1?

Callers will be greeted with a recording that gives them a choice of English or Spanish.   Then a live Call Specialist gets on the line and asks how they can help.  To find the best service match, the caller will be asked a few questions about the type of service they want, their location (by zip code to help find the nearest service), and some demographic information such as age and ethnicity.  Callers will be given the names and numbers of up to three organizations that seem to best fit their needs. 

What if there are no services for my needs?

When there are no services available matching a caller’s request, the Call Specialists may help problem-solve by discussing other solutions. 

How is 2-1-1 used in times of disaster?

2-1-1 is an efficient way to provide two-way communication during times of disaster.  2-1-1 is connected with the County Office of Emergency Services and will have up-to-date information needed in disaster response efforts, such as locations of evacuation shelters, road closure information, insurance claim processes, and volunteer needs.

Why is there a rainbow stripe on the 2-1-1 publicity material?

The diversity band represents the wide variety of people and services brought together by the 2-1-1 system.

Contact: 

M. Fatima Dias

United Way Monterey County
831 372-8026, ext. 103