211 grows to reach 8.5 million Ontarians: Four more communities gain 211
services

TORONTO, Sept. 20 /CNW/ - 211 is fast becoming the most effective way for Ontario residents to get information and connect to the best available community resources. In September, over one million more people will be able to dial the easy-to-recall 2-1-1 phone number or use 211ontario.ca to find information about the full range of community, social, government and health related programs and services.

By the end of September, the number of Ontario residents with access to 211 will surpass 8.5 million or 70 per cent of the population, with the addition of the following communities:

• September 20 - Algoma
• September 22 - Oxford County
• September 24 - Hamilton
• September 30 - Durham Region

"Bringing together information on agencies and programs is creating customized solutions for each community," said Bill Morris, Executive Director, Ontario 211 Services Corporation. "Working with different groups, 211 is helping school boards map services to specific challenges, to registering families for backpacks for school, tracking shelter beds and freeing up front line public health staff by answering basic H1N1 clinic and vaccination information."

The idea for simplifying access to social services with 211 was born in the U.S. in 1997. In 2002, United Way Canada - Centraide Canada and other partners won approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to use 211 for community, social, government and health information in Canada.

"211 has changed the way Ontarians access information," said Rosanna Thoms," Executive Director, 211 Central South Region and President, Inform Canada. "Instead of annoying phone menus or impersonal automatic attendants, 211 callers speak directly to a Certified Information and Referral Specialist. By combining the human touch of live answer with modern phone and web technology, 211 is able to provide callers with award-winning high quality customer service."

Recognizing the benefits of 211, the Provincial government invested $13 million over four years to expand 211 to the entire province by March 2012. The Province also committed ongoing funding to sustain 211 for all Ontarians as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

211 is also funded by Ontario's United Ways, some municipalities, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Anyone can call 211. But 211 is especially useful to those who face barriers related to language, mobility and isolation who are seeking support. By connecting families and individuals with the help they need more quickly, 211 prevents situations from escalating into a crisis. It also helps human service professionals improve their referrals to clients.

211 helps individuals find services and understand access requirements for programs like employment counselling, housing assistance, services for seniors, home support, legal assistance, child care, language classes and many other services. 211 is available 24/7, 365 days, in over 150 languages.  www.211ontario.ca is a bilingual website with information on 56,000 programs and services.

Algoma - September 20 - 12:00 p.m. at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, 3 Chris Simon Drive, Wawa

Oxford - September 22 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Altadore Quality Hotel & Suites, 580 Bruin Blvd., Woodstock

Hamilton -September 24 - 1:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Public Library, 5^th Floor, 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton

Durham - September 30 - 1:00 p.m. at the McLaughlin Art Gallery, 72 Queen Street, Oshawa.

For further information:

Destiny Bedwell
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Ontario 211 Services Corporation
Ph: 416-777-0211, ext. 225
Cell: 416-559-4643
[email protected]