CCCOG calls 211

The Carbon County Council of Governments (CCCOG) met at 6:30 p.m on Sept. 18 at the Hanna Recreation Center.

Most municipalities had representatives present, but Encampment and Riverside representatives were absent.

Chairman Morgan Irene and Secretary/Treasurer Travis Moore were in attendance and Vice Chairman John Zeiger absent.

After roll call, the minutes from the July 17 meeting were approved. Shortly after, the agenda for the evening and the treasurers report were approved.

Joan Evans from George K Baum and Company gave a quick update on the 2019 Specific Purpose Tax (6th Penny).

“Right now we are in the information seeking phase,” Evans said. “We have been sending out information and most of you have responded about your projects.”

She said once the information is compiled, a timeline for the bonds will be issued. Evans said they were shooting for the end of the calendar year or the beginning of the year. She said interest rates were low at the current time, which was also a consideration.

After Evans finished, Sabrina Lane, executive director of Wyoming 211, gave a presentation.

“I have been with this organization since 2018 and I am really excited to be here and explain it to you and spread the word,” Lane said. “We opened our doors in 2011 and we went to 12 counties by 2012 and now we have spread throughout the state.”

She explained what 211 stood for.

“Every hour of every day, people need essential services. From finding food and shelter to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent” Lane started. “Faced with multiple agencies and nonprofits providing a broad range of social services, people often don’t know where to turn or how to start. In many cases, they end up going without these necessary services.”

She said since it was launched in 2011, Wyoming 211 is a statewide helpline and website which has provided free, confidential, health and human services information and referrals.

“By dialing 211 or visiting the website from anywhere in Wyoming, people are linked to information about local resources, from both government and nonprofit agencies.” 

Lane said Wyoming 211 ensures that the health and human services system works by connecting people with the right services instead of the frustrating and time wasting hit-or-miss connections made by people calling multiple agencies on their own behalf trying to find the right office or program or person.

“Health and human services are only valuable when they get to the right people,” Lane said. “Wyoming 211 supports all health and social service providers’ plans to be adaptive, flexible and responsive to the needs of people in Wyoming.”

The 211 number is used by most states nationwide. She said a person looks up the state and puts 211 after it and a link is usually there.

Lane pointed out, until Wyoming 211, there had been no single, comprehensive statewide provider of information and referrals for Wyoming.

“Because many health and human services providers offer specialized programs and services for those in need, clients are often confused or frustrated about where to turn for help,” Lane explained. “The goal of Wyoming 211 is to improve the health and welfare of people in Wyoming by connecting them to appropriate services. It can be used directly by consumers as well as by service providers and case managers for referral information.”

Once Lane was finished, several of the representatives from municipalities told her they were not aware this service existed and they thanked her for presenting it to them.

“That is why I go place-to-places to spread the word,” Lane said.

Once Lane was finished, the members adjourned the meeting.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 in Rawlins.