Frank Denzler
A project that has been two years in the making, involving numerous service providers and encompassing four counties, became a local reality Tuesday morning.
Rush joined with Fayette, Union and Wayne Counties to form Area 9 of the 211 network that will allow a caller to gain necessary information concerning a variety of needs.
A survey found that the top seven inquires and immediate needs by Hoosiers during 2007 concerned housing, food, utility, household goods, financial assistance, mental health/addiction and legal matters.
With that in mind, 211 was formed.
The service will allow for disaster relief to be more effective and it is anticipated that it will have a dramatic and immediate impact on reducing non-emergency calls to local and county law enforcement dispatch centers. According to organizers, it will provide for better use of volunteers and faith-based services while providing a means to track service lapses, duplication of services and trends.
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Rushville Mayor Merv Bostic made the first local call to the service center. The four-county area of which Rush County is a part brings the total to 71 of Indiana’s 92 counties on board with the program.
According to Area 9 Executive Director Tony Shepherd, at no cost a 211 caller can receive housing options, employment opportunities, legal aid, locations of food pantries, utility assistance, mental health and addiction counseling, health services, other human service needs and volunteer opportunities such as becoming a foster parent for a child or delivering meals to the frail or elderly in their area.
The idea for the service center was born more than two years ago when the mayor of Richmond contacted public officials in the four counties that currently comprise Area 9 and expressed the need for a no-cost dial-up service. The 211 services do not receive federal or state funding; rather, the cost of the service must come from local sources. Operating costs are funded by Wayne County, Richmond, Rush County/Rushville, Whitewater Valley United Way on behalf of Union County residents and IUE-CWA Local 919 on behalf of Fayette County residents.
An essential and significant start up grant was provided by Wayne County Foundation. Grants to publicize and promote the 211 services have been received from Fayette County Foundation, Rush County Community Foundation, Wayne County Foundation and Asera Hospice Care of Richmond, with the developmental funds being provided by the Area 9 Agency.
During Monday’s unveiling, Shepherd singled out Rush County Commissioner Tom Barnes for his efforts in bringing the 211 call center to a reality. Barnes is a member of the Advisory Board that was formed in 2007 and is composed of community leaders and professionals from all four counties.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the 211 service is an element of economic development that will help attract industry and business to this region.
The service is hosted by the Area 9 In-Home and Community Services Agency, a program of Indiana University East (Richmond) and ultimately the 211 service will go through a vigorous national accreditation process by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).
Agencies desiring to be accepted for listing in the local 211 database and anyone desiring additional information is asked to contact David Free, 211 Coordinator, at 765-966-1795 or 800-458-9345 or dfree@indiana.edu.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
