New 211 social services helpline planned for P.E.I.
'People often don't know where to turn'
P.E.I. will soon have a new phone service that will help Islanders find community and social services for everyday needs and during times of crisis by dialing 211.
The telephone helpline and online service will be provided by the United Way of P.E.I. with funding from the province of $871,000, said a written news release issued Monday.
"People often don't know where to turn," said United Way of P.E.I. CEO Andrea MacDonald in the release. "211 will create a powerful new information and navigation system for Islanders."
"By dialing three simple digits Islanders will connect to all social programs and services offered across the province," added Tina Mundy, P.E.I.'s minister of family and human services.
Rolling out this fall
The system will be available beginning this fall.
Islanders can access the free and confidential service by dialling 211 to speak to someone who will help them reach appropriate services.
Many of the staff members answering the calls will be social workers or nurses.
The system will rely on an already-established call centre in Nova Scotia, which the release said has the capacity to meet P.E.I's needs.
The United Way will also contribute $45,864, or about five per cent of the overall budget, for the service's initial three-year period.
The United Way will be reaching out to community organizations over the coming months to make sure they are included in the 211 database.
The government will gather information about the calls "with personal identifiers removed," the release said.