Say hello to help

Wyoming 2-1-1 was established in 2011 as a nonemergency number. This is a nationwide designated number set up by the Federal Communications Center (FCC) in 2000 to help alleviate 9-1-1 centers receiving nonemergency related calls concerning community services. It also provides a way for the public to find the services they need.

Wyoming 2-1-1 is also critical in connecting the public to information during state emergencies, providing updated information such as where things are happening and helping with rumor control.

The 2-1-1 service is free and confidential. The information helpline and website work directly with nonprofit government and faith-based programs to connect people with nearly 2,500 programs across Wyoming. Until this program was established, there was no single all inclusive database of Wyoming based programs.

Services such as shelter, food, physical and mental health resources, employment support services, support for veterans, seniors and persons with disabilities and programs for children, youth and families can be found in the 2-1-1 database accessed by phone or computer. 2-1-1 also provides help during community crisis and recovery efforts.

The 2-1-1 database is updated regularly. They attend local meetings, looking into local and statewide issues and providing solutions for communities around the state, including the COVID crisis.

Many people don’t know where to turn or how to start looking for the service they need. Frequently, they may go without a needed service out of frustration from not being able to locate who or what they need. Wyoming 2-1-1 gives specific, personalized information from a live person. A specialist with resources specific to the community you live in.

According to the Wyoming 2-1-1 website, their ultimate goal is to improve the health and welfare of Wyoming’s citizens by connecting them to appropriate services.

The 2-1-1 service addresses many needs, but plenty people do not understand or know about it. There are no national ads or public service announcements for 2-1-1. There isn’t any Federal support or national health policy that provides this information for those who need help.

The more time a person spends looking for help, dealing with a crisis, the larger the expense. Wyoming 2-1-1 can better assist by streamlining access to the services, reducing the frustration and time spent by providers and people in need that are looking for services.

In 2013 Wyoming 2-1-1 partnered with Enroll Wyoming to provide information about health coverage. Enroll Wyoming Navigators can set up meetings to answer questions or offer in-person assistance with filling out applications at healthcare.gov.

In March 2020, Wyoming 2-1-1 and the Wyoming Department of Health provided a helpline for COVID-19 questions and information.

In 2019, Kinship Connections was launched. They partnered with Wyoming Department of Family Services and Wyoming Citizen Review Panel as a free service to grandparents, relatives and other caregivers who are raising children that are not their own. This service connects kinship families to support groups and training opportunities to learn about resources, self-care, foster care and kinship law.

This year the Farmers and Ranchers Stress Relief Assistance program was launched in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.