News | Article from San Bernardino County Sun

2-1-1 calls triple

By George Watson, Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY (October 8, 2007) - The United Way announced today that it has received more than three times the number of calls to its 2-1-1 call center than it did 11 months earlier when it unveiled the new program.
In July, more than 2,600 information and referral calls were made to the 2-1-1 call center staff. Calls can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 435-7565.

More than 3,000 calls per month are expected to be made before the end of the year.

The 2-1-1 number is toll-free, connecting San Bernardino County residents to a 24-hour service that provides access to food, shelters, clothing, employment services, programs for children and families, support for seniors and disabled people.

The hot line operates in 31 states.

The service is part of a nationwide movement that streamlines information for people in need of health services or social programs. The hope is people eventually learn that they can call it, rather than dialing 911 for non-emergencies.

"The anniversary for 2-1-1 was a testimony to the growth and significance of the 2-1-1 system in meeting the needs of children and families in the City and County of San Bernardino," Kent Paxton, San Bernardino's community safety and violence-prevention liaison, said in a prepared statement.

Contact writer George Watson at (909) 386-3884 or via e-mail at george.watson@sbsun.com.

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