A 2-1-1 operator for a day

by Erik Sternad
Executive Director, Interface Children & Family Services

Ventura County Together (VCT) executed a fundraising campaign last week to help support the 40 organizations in our county serving the hungry, the homeless, those without health coverage and in need of information and referrals. I’ve been a member of VCT for the last two years and in order to do my part in raising awareness and raising money, I decided to make this campaign personal… I spent last week trying to experience some of the many challenges that people in our community go through. I went hungry for a day, I slept in my car, and then I spent a few hours answering calls in our 2-1-1 information and referral call center. These were symbolic gestures meant to bring awareness to the need for basic services in our community, but I also learned a lot along the way.

I’ve wanted to answer information and referral calls at 2-1-1 since I first came to Interface, and I was delighted to handle 9 calls - mostly by myself on Friday afternoon! The gracious 2-1-1 staff helped me navigate the database screens, while I did the talking on the phone. They only put me on Ventura County calls (not the other seven counties we serve with 2-1-1…whew!). I gave referrals for domestic violence shelters, bilingual counseling, rental assistance and animal control. I remember handling these kinds of information and referral calls when I was working my way through graduate school, but it’s been a long time.

The best call that I received on Friday was from a single mother with a young child and two elderly parents. This young woman was the only breadwinner for this family, and she was facing a foreclosure and imminent eviction on their home of over 20 years. You could hear the relief in her voice as we helped her with temporary housing support, credit counseling (to help advocate for her with the bank foreclosing on their house), and CalFresh (food stamps) support, for which she easily qualified given the number of mouths she was feeding on her own.  I experienced first hand that 2-1-1 is a powerful resource. Now another family has a shot at re-making their future because of one phone call, and the community resources that will flow from it.

Moments like that remind me of why I’m honored to work at Interface.

Our Phones Are Ringing...

...off the hook! 

You may be surprised to learn that Interface Children & Family Services has been providing information & referral services for over 30 years but it has NEVER BEEN AS POWERFUL as it is now by simply dialing 2-1-1! 

I thought it would be nice to share with you examples of calls received by 2-1-1 Ventura County call specialists, in honor of their 6th anniversary celebration held at the beginning of this month and to highlight our just released 2010 Annual Community Report.   

  

An elderly woman we'll call Susan lives in Ventura and was referred to 2-1-1 by a social worker.  Susan called 2-1-1 for resources for her adult daughter who we'll call Jamie.  Jamie is autistic and Susan is concerned about how her daughter will cope if something happens to her mom.  Susan gained information about independent living resources so Jamie can learn to live on her own.  During a follow up call, Susan shared that she was able to connect with resources provided to her by 2-1-1.  Community Action will be able to help her with legal services and the Independent Living Resource Center is offering life skills training so Jamie can learn to be more self sufficient. Susan was happy and appreciative about receiving positive responses from the referral agencies and thanked 2-1-1 for their assistance.

  

A woman we'll call Judy lives in Fillmore and called 2-1-1 for rental assistance.  Judy explained that she receives housing assistance and had just passed her annual housing inspection when she received a notice from the bank.  She spoke with her landlord, who confirmed that the bank’s statement was true - she needed to vacate the premises.  Judy was confused about her housing options and whether her housing assistance would transfer to another home.  During a follow up call, Judy shared that, while she is still very angry about the situation, the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program through the Human Services Agency is helping her relocate and will help her with her deposit and rental assistance.  Judy thanked 2-1-1 for being helpful and patient when she called for assistance.

A man we'll call David lives in Oxnard and called 2-1-1 for rental assistance.  David explained that he was in a bind because his unemployment check was late.  He was frustrated and upset because he had fallen behind in the rent and was worried he wouldn't be able to keep his home.  During a follow up call, David explained that he received his unemployment check and he was able to pay his current rent and make payment arrangements for his back payments.  He had contacted Catholic Charities and although they did not have funds available at the time, they indicated that there would be funds available within the next few days that he could apply for to help pay his back payments. David was very appreciative, stating that his daughter would be able to visit for the summer since he was not going to lose his home.

An Oxnard woman we'll call Rosa contacted 2-1-1 after she and her two young children were evicted from their home.  Rosa explained that she is currently employed, but was not able to afford to pay her rent for the past three months because she only made enough money for food and other small bills.  Rosa was staying with the father of her children but was concerned that it was not a safe environment for them. The Call Specialist reviewed resources with Rosa and she was interested in referrals to agencies for help with housing and for her local Neighborhood for Learning (NfLs).  The Call Specialist encouraged Rosa to call back when she is ready for more assistance. 

These were just a few examples of the over 19,000 calls we receive each year.  2-1-1 provides information and referral services relating to counseling, domestic violence, employment, food assistance, health care, housing, legal assistance, senior services, services for children, substance abuse services, and so much more.  Be sure to tell all of your friends about 2-1-1 so they can "BE IN THE KNOW!"

2-1-1 Ventura County is a program of Interface Children & Family Services in partnership with United Way of Ventura County and First Five of Ventura County.  

For more information on ways you can support 2-1-1 Ventura County with a financial donation, please contact Marti DeLaO, Director of Fund Development at (805) 485-6114, x-641. 

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