DIAL 211: Community Services at the Touch of a Button

Residents of Floyd and Polk counties can now get information about a number of community services by dialing 211.

According to Alli Mitchell with the United Way of Rome and Floyd County, it will simplify the process of accessing services provided by the United Way.

“Plus, you will be talking to a real person,” she said.

“It means you don’t have to remember the 10-digit number, and it means if you’re trying to help someone access resources all you have to do is tell him to call 211,” she said. “All it does is assign this three-digit number to our 10-digit number, so it’s calling exactly the same place. In fact, we have added a new team member, Regina Wright, and we’re so excited about her. She is answering our phone during the busiest part of the day, which typically people call in between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.”

Those resources include things such as food, clothing, shelter, adult services, and services for seniors.

“If you are in Floyd or Polk County and you’re going to be looking for resources, or need to refer someone for help, someone can call and — for instance, (if) they are looking for help finding a shelter, our navigator can look at our list of shelters based on which county are in and give you information about that shelter,” she said.

“Also, there’s that little trick we like to throw in on the end, which is asking the caller to tell us more about their situation. Typically, if you need help right now, especially if you’re at the level of needing shelter, there are likely other resources that you need help with too, and we can go ahead and map those out for you.”

According to Mitchell, there has been a focus shift for the United Way over the last 10 or 20 years. United Ways of old were very much community chest models, reaching out in the community and fundraising and then distributing that money to causes and organizations that were in need of support. Then, the internet happened.

“At this point, a really good role for the United Way is to look out for and find gaps in the community and then to align partners around those gaps and attach solutions to those gaps,” she said.

“That’s how we came up with community case management,” she added. “The biggest gap we found was in advocates who walk alongside people who are in crisis. And most importantly for us in our mission, which is preventing homelessness, we want to wrap services around individuals before they need a shelter or before they become homeless.”

For more information about services provided by the United Way you can visit UwRome.org. If you or someone you know is in need of services, you can call 211.