May 2006 Redmond Business
 

Dial 211 to Locate Human Services
by Pam Mauk

Daily at Family Resource Center people walk in with requests for help and information. My adult daughter is schizophrenic and homeless, they may say. Or, I have a health problem, but no insurance.   It may be: I am about to lose my apartment.  Where can I find another home? Or, my mother is disabled and needs help at home.

Because we operate a campus of 18 health, housing and human services agencies, we often have an expert on our campus who can provide appropriate information or services. We often know of other area resources, as well. However, we never let people leave without the appropriate number for the countywide experts in information and referral.

Calling these experts became much easier in February when the Washington Information Network 211 launched in King County and 11 other counties.
From 8 am to 8 pm daily you can call with questions about any type of health or human service need. Like the more familiar 911 emergency number, you dial only three numbers to connect with referral experts. In addition to program information, they know how to gather the right information from you, and they utilize databases with detailed information on transportation, financial criteria, geography and more.

If you have a question, by all means feel free to call Family Resource Center. However, it’s not the first call we recommend for those looking for help.  Because one of our goals is to make it easier for people to find the services they need, we’d like to introduce you to the experts.

If you are gathering information on available services, make your first call to 211.  

Pam Mauk is executive director of Family Resource Center. For more information, call 869-6699.

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