HONESDALE (Nov. 1, 2020) – Wayne County joins 211 of Northeastern PA, a 24/7 Information and Referral Service under the auspices of the United Way, which provides callers with access to available human services in the region.
Through 211, residents can obtain information about food pantries, emergency shelter, housing, utility assistance, clothing, drug & alcohol intervention and behavioral health services.
Wayne County decided to change to the 211 system to make it easier for the residents to access information any time of day or night. The number, 211, is also an easier to remember when someone needs assistance and is toll free from anywhere in the county.
County officials note that initially some phones may not accept 211, but there are efforts underway, in conjunction with 211, to improve the connection.
Other means of connecting with 211 include using the toll-free number (1-855-567-5341), visiting the website https://pa211ne.org/ or texting your zip code to 898211.
The PA 211 NE Database houses more than 5,000 locally coordinated resources and 32,000 federal and state government offices. Participants listed on the database receive email prompts to update information. Alternatively, a call to 211 will result in an opportunity to update.
In fiscal year 2020, operators at PA 211 NE fielded nearly 700 calls from Wayne County residents, mostly for housing, information services, food, behavioral health, addiction and utility assistance. About three quarters of the callers are women, generally between 30 and 39 years of age, but calls come from adults of all ages.
The change took effect on Nov. 1, 2020.