Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon on Thursday, June 23, at the Butler County Extention Office. 
Ellie Harbough of the United Way of Southern Kentucky gave a presentation on 2-1-1, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Dialing 2-1-1 will allow residents of the ten county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) to receive information and access to services dealing with mental and physical health, housing and homeless shelters, food, utilities, transportation, health care, aging and disability, employment, and substance abuse. Callers will be able to dial 211 on their phone to talk to operators about their concerns. The service would also be available to assist callers with information during an emergency or natural disaster.
"2-1-1 will be like calling, and a friend answers the phone to people in need," said Harbough.

Harbaugh said the United Way will start taking calls on July 18th, and be fully operational by December 2017. 2-1-1 will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with expanded hours in the future. She said they expect to answer between 6,000 and 7,200 calls the first year, with those numbers increasing to up to 24,000 calls by the end of the third year.

The budget for the service will be approximate $150,000.00 for the first year, and will likely increase to $250,000.00 by year 3. 2-1-1 is currently available in the Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky areas, and is 61% funded by local governments. The rest of the funding comes from grants, endowments, and donations.
According to Harbough, many communities have realized 2-1-1 can be used as a social barometer that enables service providers, funders, and other stakeholders to assess needs as a community. 
"For every $1 spent on 2-1-1 centers, it results in a positive benefit to society of $1.34," said Harbough.
The luncheon was sponsored by American Leather Direct and the Chamber and was catered by Green River Caterers.