GREENSBURG (October 17) – Westmoreland County residents in need of assistance now have help 24 hours a day/ seven days per week.  The county’s Information and Referral Help Line, in conjunction with Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc. (WHO) and the United Way of Westmoreland County, is now offering around-the-clock service through the toll-free county Help Line at 800-222-8848.

“While this improvement may at the surface seem relatively minor, it is immensely important for those who need help.  It simplifies the process for families who need crisis assistance or intervention in the late night/early morning hours, and eliminates the need for multiple calls or the frustration of voice mail,” said Tom Balya, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.  “It is also the first step in what we hope will eventually be a statewide 211 information and referral system.”

211 operates much like the 911 emergency system, and is in use in other parts of the country.  The United Way is leading efforts to bring a 211 system to Pennsylvania.

Access to health and human services agencies came out as a high priority in the 2003 United Way survey.  In fact, Westmoreland Human Opportunities polled its clients and found that on average it takes four calls until a family is connected with the agency it needs.  Many communities have a well-publicized 24/7 information and referral phone number that connects people to the help they need, but until today, Westmoreland did not.  This summer, the County Commissioners, Westmoreland Human Opportunities, the United Way and Catholic Charities began to discuss making it happen in Westmoreland.

“In initial conversations over the summer it quickly became clear that a 24/7 information and referral line was an important but missing part of access to services in Westmoreland County,” said Nancy Kukovich, president of the United Way of Westmoreland County.  “We had information and referral phone services, but none of them were 24/7.  Within a few months, we worked to put it together, and at no additional cost.  We thank the County Commissioners, Catholic Charities and Westmoreland Human Opportunities for their efforts to make this a reality.”

Pennsylvania is only 1 of 12 states whose residents do not yet have access to information and referral statewide by dialing 211, or on-line access at 211.org.  Like 911 and 411, the Federal Communications Commission has designated the three-digit exchange for health and human service information nationally, but only if 60 percent of the country is covered by 2007.  Pennsylvania's participation will achieve the 60 percent goal.

Until then, Westmoreland County’s partnership with WHO will fill the 24/7 void.  Through a single toll-free telephone number county Information and Referral staff will field calls during regular Courthouse hours, with WHO’s Crisis Intervention staff handling after-hours calls.
“Our county has been in need of 24/7 information and referral services for some time now,” said Tay Waltenbaugh, CEO of Westmoreland Human Opportunities, the county’s community action agency.  “We are pleased with the progress so far.  The consistency with calls, referrals and assistance has been very good with very capable staff."

The county’s information and referral toll-free Help Line has been in existence for 20 years.  The Help Line focuses on a variety of topics, including, but not limited, to the $ Energy Fund and energy assistance; rental assistance; flu shot and Health Department information; welfare; and food stamps.

For more on the statewide information and referral network, visit www.211.org.