Daviess County, Kentucky now has a 211 help line that can connect area residents to a wide range of services.
The most important feature of the new 211 help line is that it has a person on duty 24/7. That person helps the caller determine the best agency or organization to meet their needs and assists them in getting connected.
The 211 service is provided by United Way of Ohio Valley.
Owensboro Community Development Director Abby Shelton said the resources in the 211 database cover a huge range of topics.
"It can give you information on crisis hotlines, housing assistance, utility assistance, foods and meals, health care, health screening, addiction and substance use, mental health behavior, dental or vision, parenting and child care, on and on and on…,” said Shelton.
She said the easy to remember 211 number, with a person to talk to at any time of the day or night, adds a whole new dimension to getting help.
“There are certain circumstances that don’t happen from 8 to 5. Say if it’s a domestic violence situation after hours, they need somewhere to go and stay and just be protected," said Shelton. "So to have that service after hours and to bridge that gap is fantastic.”
The 211 line recently launched in Daviess County and in the coming months will be expanded to Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster Counties.
