United Ways of NH and representatives of the 2-1-1 NH Partnership gathered
at the Statehouse today as Governor John Lynch issued a proclamation in
celebration of the First Anniversary of 2-1-1 NH, a statewide, comprehensive,
information and referral helpline. 

“2-1-1 is an important resource for many of our citizens, providing a
one-stop resource for people to get the information and the help they
need immediately.  I want to thank the United Ways of New Hampshire and
its partners for bringing 2-1-1 to our state,” Gov. Lynch said.

According to United Ways of NH representative Patrick Tufts, President
of Heritage United Way and managing partner for 2-1-1 NH, New Hampshire
residents have dialed 2-1-1 over 22,488 times to find the help that they
needed since the program launched in June of 2008.  Approximately 28 % of
the callers requested assistance with housing and utilities and another
22% sought temporary financial aid.  Healthcare, mental health and
substance abuse service inquiries make up the third largest category at
14.5%.

“People are calling with very basic needs, said Tufts.  “Assistance
with housing and utility payments, concerns about healthcare and the
need for temporary financial aid and legal assistance indicate that
people in NH are sorely feeling the effects of the economic crisis. 
22,000 calls is just the tip of the ice berg,” commented Tufts. 
“Offering an easy way to find assistance through 2-1-1 couldn’t have
come at a better time for our state and will help many individuals
and families access the safety net of community services available
to them,” said Tufts.  Looking back at the month-to-month data, spikes
in certain seasonal need areas and the high number of calls in the
“other” call category illustrates that people are accessing a wide
variety of services through 2-1-1 NH.  This is our primary goal for
the program—to help people with their every day needs and in times of crisis.”

Launched in June 2008, 2-1-1 NH provides callers with free information
and referrals to thousands of health and human service programs and
other community resources statewide.  Any New Hampshire resident who
has a need and does not know where to turn for help can simply dial 2-1-1
and a trained call specialist can direct him or her to the appropriate programs.

National 2-1-1 data indicates that at peak public awareness, 2-1-1 can
expect that approximately 10% of the population in any given area will
access help via 2-1-1.  “While 22,488 calls is a great start, United Way
and its partners have a long way to go to spread the word about this new
community resource,” said Major General (ret.) Joseph K. Simeone, lead
volunteer for the 2-1-1 Advisory Committee.  Simeone encouraged legislators
and service providers to partner with United Way and make NH citizens aware
of this valuable service.  “Tell everyone you know, when you need help and
don’t know where to turn, dial 2-1-1,” said Simeone.

2-1-1 NH was made possible through a unique partnership with United Ways
of New Hampshire and several stakeholders throughout the state, including
the State of NH, Exeter Hospital, Citizens Bank Foundation, and NH Charitable
Foundation.  Public Service of New Hampshire stepped forward as a lead partner,
offering to embed the 2-1-1 NH operation within its recently built,
state-of-the-art call center in Manchester.  “We recognized that we could
share our technical infrastructure and expertise, and by doing so help meet
the vital needs of New Hampshire citizens,” noted PSNH’s Paul Ramsey. 
“The 2-1-1 NH project is a great example of what can be accomplished when
organizations around the state with different strengths and resources come
together in support of a common goal.” 

While PSNH’s contribution factors minimally into the broader scope of its
operations, the company’s support from United Way’s perspective is enormous. 
“In a stand alone 2-1-1 operation, it would be difficult to replicate, and
virtually impossible to sustain, the level of technology and expertise that
have been made available to us through the partnership with PSNH,” said
Heather Aicholtz, director of the 2-1-1 NH Call Center.  “We are very fortunate.”

Other members of the 2-1-1 NH partnership are excited about the potential
for the valuable information that 2-1-1 call data can provide.  “We are
excited that this initiative will provide valuable data on actual needs
in the community that can help guide our region's outstanding network
of not-for-profits,” said Kevin Callahan, President of Exeter Hospital
another lead member of the 2-1-1 NH partnership.  “As a regional supporter
of many front line community service providers, Exeter Hospital is
keenly aware of how important and valuable information collected by
the 2-1-1 initiative will be in helping to coordinate support services
for our patients and the community as a whole" said Callahan.

In addition to presenting the call data, United Ways of NH representatives
shared their plans for Year II with the Governor and other public officials
in attendance.  Two main initiatives include building the capacity of 2-1-1
to serve as the primary State Emergency Hotline and a 2-1-1 Military Outreach
Campaign sponsored by WMUR.  Maj. Gen. William Reddel, the Adjutant General
of the New Hampshire National Guard, and Nick Toumpas, DHHS Commissioner
announced the plans to partner with 2-1-1- NH on this outreach campaign for
military service members, veterans and their families. NH DHHS's Bureau of
Community Based Military Services, in partnership with WMUR, will launch a
PSA campaign to encourage members of the military to access services when
they need them by using 2-1-1.

"For our state's military community, which includes more than 15,000 service
members representing the National Guard, Reserves and active duty, this
program makes it easier for them, and especially their families, to find
help when they need it," Reddel said.

For more information about 2-1-1 NH, visit www.211nh.org or simply
dial 2-1-1.  If you are calling from outside of NH or if you have trouble
dialing the 2-1-1 exchange directly, please report the trouble to your
phone service provider and call 211 via (866) 444-4211.

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