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United Way's 2-1-1 in the News

 

United Way Updates Help for Hard Time Guide for Adams County

  • United Way of Inner Wisconsin is proud to release the 2012 Help for Hard Times Guide for Adams County.  The guide will help Adams County residents find help in areas such as food, utility assistance, rent/mortgage assistance and how to apply for unemployment benefits, etc.
  • Information for the Help for Hard Times Guide was taken from United Way’s 2-1-1 database.  United Way’s 2-1-1 is an information and referral program that maintains a database of community resources and connects callers with questions to the proper services or organizations to meet their human, social and information needs.  The program is free and confidential and available 24/7. 
  • Anyone can dial 2-1-1 on their phones or cell phones to receive answers to their community questions.  Last year, the five most popular questions asked in Adams County were about:  electric service payment assistance; rent payment assistance; food pantries; the Aging and Disability Resource Center; and heating fuel payment assistance.  This data is used to help update the Help for Hard Times Guide.
  • The Help for Hard Times Guide also has an updated version of the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card.  This card can be used at participating pharmacies.  Families and individuals who are uninsured or underinsured can use this card to save up to 30% on their prescriptions.  This is not health or prescription insurance.   Families or individuals do not need to apply or wait for a card to come in the mail.  Simply clip the card out from the Help for Hard Times Guide and start using it. 
  • To receive your own copy of the Help for Hard Times Guide for Adams County, dial 2-1-1; call the United Way of Inner Wisconsin office at 715-421-0390; send an email to angie@uwiw.org; or visit www.uwiw.org and click on “Get Help.” 
  • If your business, church, school, non-profit organization or civic organization would like to distribute copies of the Help for Hard Times Guide or FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card, please contact Angela Loucks at United Way of Inner Wisconsin at 715-421-0390.  If your organization offers programs in the area of health and human services – and you wish to be listed in the 2-1-1 database - please dial 2-1-1 and speak to an information specialist.

Celebrate 2-1-1 Day!

  • United Way’s 2-1-1 is a valuable community program that has helped thousands of callers find the resources or referrals they needed in just one phone call.  February 11th (2-11) is the perfect day to get to know this useful tool and celebrate all the good that it does!
  • Mayor Mary Jo Carson has declared Saturday, February 11th, 2012 “United Way’s 2-1-1 Day in Wisconsin Rapids.”
  • United Way’s 2-1-1 is a three digit number you can dial on your phone or cell phone and receive free and confidential information and referral to your community questions.  It is available 24/7.  Commonly asked questions range from “I cannot pay my utility bill – who can help?” to “I need help caring for my loved one with dementia.”
  • Last year, United Way’s 2-1-1 received 6,817 calls for information and referral and the top needs for 2011 were:  electric service payment assistance, rent payment assistance, information about food pantries, low income/subsidized private rental housing and heating fuel payment assistance.
  • You can celebrate United Way’s 2-1-1 several different ways. 
    • If you have a family member or friend who is having a difficult time, you can advocate for them and dial 2-1-1 to see what resources are available.
    • If you are part of a non-profit organization, religious entity or government agency who provides health or human service programs to the public, contact 2-1-1 to be added to our database.
    • You can call and request free 2-1-1 materials (posters, fact cards, magnets, etc.) and put them on display where you work or at your church. 
    • You can sign up for the “Get Connected Get Answers” Blog at www.unitedways211.blogspot.com to stay informed about local events, support groups, conferences, classes and updates in your community.
    • You can visit our website at www.getconnected211.org and download helpful guides such as the “Help for Hard Times Guides.
    • You can also volunteer for United Way’s 2-1-1, and help with data entry and answering phone calls.
  • In addition to connecting callers to local resources, United Way’s 2-1-1 also tracks caller needs and uses that information to analyze trends, such as identifying gaps in services.  This information can be used to help make program funding decisions.
  • For more information, contact United Way’s 2-1-1 by dialing the three digit number 2-1-1 or by calling 715-423-0211.