New 211 Help Line Will Cover State (Welfare 911)

New York Daily News ^ | 6/5/2006 | Dave Goldiner

[CAWats]

New Yorkers already have the 411 on 911 and 311 - and they could soon have 211 as well.

The new easy-dialing system to access human and social services should be up and running in the city within about two years, the system's statewide coordinator said yesterday.

Unlike 311, the new 211 system would include referrals to private groups and charities as well as municipal services.

Susan Hager, president of United Way of New York State and co-chair of the 211 New York State Collaborative, called 211 "a broader brush" and "a system to help people access health and human services on every possible level."

It's already up and running in two upstate areas and could be operational in the five boroughs by 2008, Hager said.

The state just chipped in $6.9 million to help the public-private partnership get off the ground statewide.

The idea is to complement - not compete with - the 311 system for government services and 911 for emergencies.

"We want to all work together to get people the right help they need," Hager said.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Looks like a 211 in progress if you ask me.

[theDentist]

Unlike 311, the new 211 system would include referrals to private groups and charities as well as municipal services.

I'm sure the ACLU will go to court to put a stop to that.

[AnnaZ]

They have 211 here in Texas. They give names and numbers of Catholic and Christian charities. Tell Barry Lynn.

;^)

[afnamvet]

Hi, we're from the government and we are here to help you.

[Red Badger]

We need a 111 number to report 111egal ALIENS AT WORK!..........

[rattrap]

I bet answering the phones there would be a freaking nightmare.

[AnnaZ]

Only 35 seconds separated our pretty darned similar replies. LOL.

[theDentist]

shared genius!

[BenLurkin]

Very good!

[Wilum]

Here from one of the upstate "burgs" this thing has been implemented.

Good thing, we need to know where to go as NY state drives all the jobs out of here. I'd say their success rate is about 80% so far.

Disclaimer; lost my job in April and trying desperately to keep their (NYS) tentacles from around me, and yeah, the company left the area. And, NO, I didn't try the number!

[AnnaZ]

And, NO, I didn't try the number!

Try it for a kick. Report back to us! (LOL)

[durasell]

Just to put my two-cents in...311 is one of the best things the city ever did.

[Sonny M]

Call me crazy, but I smell money in selling comercials or some kind of referral from private groups with this thing.

And I doubt I am the only one thinking this.

[buffyt]

Back when I was putting myself through college on student loans (which I repaid in full on time) and working at a terrible hot job at a glass bottle plant in the summers, no AC, HOT HOT HOT, in Okla. 110 degrees inside the plant, 106 felt cool when I stepped outside after my shift. I couldn't get any kind of gov. help which would have been food commodities back then: beans, rice, butter, cheese, cornmeal, etc. My roommate's parents were paying her way plus they bought her a brand new car. We were considered a "household" even tho she did not help me buy my food or pay my bills. The one time in MY life when I could have used some help from the good ole USA gov. and I was turned down flat. I have NO sympathy for those who are begging for more welfare handouts now. Plus, I learned to be self-sufficient and got by. It made me stronger, suffering through four years of being broke. It made me appreciate everything I have now. And I realize taht handouts are NEVER the answer~

[CAWats]

God bless you.

[motzman]

"Good morning, 211, how can I help you?"

"Uhh, yeah my baby's cryin'...what do I do?"

"Are you signed up for food stamps?"

"Yes"

"Are you signed up for WIC?"

"Yes"

"Are you signed up for free day care?"

"Yes, in fact my baby's at day care now...They just called me to ask me how to stop the baby from crying, but I don't know so I called you"

"Where are now?"

"I'm at the bar"

"Are you smoking?"

"No"

"Good. Don't worry about the baby, it will stop crying eventually. Have a nice day and remember to vote for Hillary!"