New 211 social services helpline planned for P.E.I.

P.E.I. will soon have a new phone service that will helpIslandersfind community and socialservices for everyday needs and duringtimes of crisis by dialing 211.

Thetelephone helpline and online service will be provided by the United Way of P.E.I. with funding from the province of $871,000, saida written news release issued Monday.

"People often don't know where to turn," said United Way of P.E.I. CEO Andrea MacDonaldin the release. "211 will create a powerful new information and navigationsystem 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 thisfall

The system will be availablebeginning thisfall.

Islanders can access the free and confidential service by dialling 211 to speak to someone who willhelp them reachappropriate services.

Many of the staff members answering the callswill besocial 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 alsocontribute$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.

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