First Responders, Social Workers and NC 2-1-1

The work you do in our community, as counselors, social workers and first responders, is critical. You help people navigate a host of familiar, and unfamiliar, life situations. Knowing how our NC 2-1-1 team members can help you as professionals, as well as how we can directly support your clients is critical. Here are just a few calls that we've taken that may sound very familiar to you:

Joe's Wife Can't Always Lift Him Out Of His Chair

First responders will recognize the importance of this story. Joe recently had surgery and was looking for help with getting a hospital bed and possibly a lift chair. He has not been able to find a place that can provide either so currently, his elderly wife is helping him get up and down, which often times ends with both of them on the floor. Our call specialist was able to get Joe connected to a medical loan closet that delivered the items to him, hopefully saving both of them from an avoidable trip to the ER. 

A Recent Layoff Has Sharon Fearing The Worst

Case workers at DSS know the pain of this conversation. Sharon was let go from her job last week. She believes her financial hardship will be temporary as she has applied for unemployment but she has been living paycheck to paycheck and is running low on food and fears her water will be shut off. She thought she should call for foods stamps but her situation is too new to qualify. So in addition to a list of job search resources, our call specialist also gave her a list of resources to address her immediate needs to avoid a crisis situation. Helping connect Sharon to additional community resources and educating her about the role of DSS helped Sharon to gain a better understanding of how to navigate this stressful situation. 

The Point Where Opportunity and Courage Meet

The other day a young woman called 2-1-1. She had found both the opportunity and courage to call for help. She was trying to leave an abusive relationship and based on some things she shared, our referral specialist believed she may also be a survivor of human trafficking. After several calls, we were able to connect her to a domestic violence shelter that had a bed ready for her. 
 
 

NC 2-1-1 Is A Tool For Community Members AND Local Service Providers

Wouldn't it be great if there was one place you knew you could call when you have questions and are in need of help? We work in partnership with United Way of North Carolina to to serve western North Carolina through our NC 2-1-1 Asheville Call Center for that very reason. When you dial 2-1-1, we’re available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
 
Don’t expect to talk to a machine or need to press buttons to navigate where you want to go. Compassionate, trained referral specialists answer your call when you dial 2-1-1 or 828-252-HELP (4357) in search of supportive resources. Staff will share the details of any available free and/or low-cost services to ensure your needs are met. 
 

Request Materials or a Speaker From NC 2-1-1

Would you like materials to have in your car or office so that you can use them when you're out in the community? Do you have a team that needs to learn more about NC 2-1-1 services? 

Use this form to request materials or a speaker today!