Tuesday, March 25, 2008, Ottawa – United Way Ottawa applauds the commitment of the Ontario government to provide funds to support the roll-out and maintenance of 211 service in Ontario, as announced today in the 2008 Budget.
“This is a significant endorsement for the 211 Service across Ontario,” says Michael Allen, President and CEO, United Way Ottawa. “We are pleased to see this commitment and are continuing to move forward with our partners to launch 211 Ottawa in 2008. This is of particular importance to us in the Ottawa area, as it will provide momentum to the launch of the service in the city, and will ensure that 211 Ottawa can help deliver the service in French throughout the entire province. The importance of the participation of governments at all levels cannot be overstated.”
211 is an information and referral service that connects callers to a full range of non-emergency social, health, community and government services. The service has been established in many jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S., and work is underway to bring it to Ottawa. Callers to 211 Ottawa would reach bilingual information and referral specialists, trained to assess needs, to understand callers’ questions and concerns, and to link them to the best available information and services, all on a confidential basis. 211 has proven an effective mechanism for improving service to communities, and for providing data and information with respect to need, demographics, etc. to municipalities, social planners, and service delivery organizations.
About United Way/Centraide Ottawa
United Way Ottawa’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a strong, healthy, safe, community for all. By bringing people together from all parts of our community to identify, develop and provide solutions to community needs, we promise that the donations we receive go where they are needed most. In 2008, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support more than 200 projects, programs and partnerships, in more than 100 community organizations.