Pictured from left: Senator Joseph A. Griffo; Carol Borsa, vice-president of program and business services for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes; Robin M. Robinson, director of community investment for the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area; Herkimer County Legislature Chairman Vincent Bono; Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi; Brenda Episcopo, executive director of the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area; Betty-Joan Beaudry, 2-1-1 Mid-York Liaison; Lucille Soldato, Oneida County commissioner of the Department of Social Services; and Paul Hartnett, the Director of Madison County 911.
(Feb. 12, 2015) Madison, Oneida and Herkimer County leaders and community-wide organizations gathered to celebrate 2-1-1 Day on Wednesday Feb. 11 at the Utica State Office Building with the launch of 2-1-1 Mid-York.
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. This confidential, free, and multilingual service is available 24/7.
2-1-1 Mid-York is available in Madison, Oneida and Herkimer counties via landline and cell phone by simply calling 2-1-1 or 1-844-342-5211.
“2-1-1 provides streamlined access to help alleviate frustration for both those needing the service and those providing it,” said Betty-Joan Beaudry, 2-1-1 Mid-York Liaison. “2-1-1 Mid-York is staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they need.”
2-1-1 is also a critical information system during and after a community crisis, such as a flood or fire, or other local or national tragedy.
2-1-1 Mid-York provides information about:
Basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter
Consumer education and protection; how to manage finances
Crime prevention, witness and victim support, legal services connections
Disaster management, including storm and shelter information, emergency resources, and evacuations
Skills, behavior and character building
Environmental preservation and protection, accident prevention, public health and safety
Healthcare services, such as prevention, screening, evaluation, treatment, health and substance abuse
Job skills building, and finding and sustaining a job
Income support, including public assistance and support
Social and spiritual development, and volunteer opportunities
Mental/emotional health, including preventative, diagnostic, and treatment; community- and hospital-based
New resident settlement, and travel and tourism
Business support, such as meeting space coordination, access to equipment, services management
“Finding health and human services help can be confusing and intimidating, leaving many not knowing where to begin,” said Brenda Episcopo, executive director of the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. “Locally, this day has been more than 10 years in the making. Today, on National 2-1-1 Day, we are excited to announce the launch of 2-1-1 Mid-York!”
2-1-1 Mid-York is made possible through a partnership with the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area, United Way of New York State, 2-1-1 New York, and New York State Alliance of Information and Referral Systems.
For information about 2-1-1 Mid-York, dial 2-1-1 or 1-844-342-5211.