Beginning the first quarter of 2003, residents of Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties can dial 211 for information and referrals to local human service agencies. Instrumental in bringing this resource to our communities are three members of myregion.org CEO Roundtable: Brian Quail, President of Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW), Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services charity; Augustine Paz, President of Community Services Network (CSN), Central Florida’s leading information center for social services; and Doug Beach, CEO of the Senior Resource Alliance, the Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida.

In addition to providing residents with easy access to health and human services, 211 will also increase collaboration within Central Florida’s social services community. Local organizations that provide emergency social services such as financial assistance, housing assistance and food, as well as specialized information and referral organizations will be encouraged to participate in helping to develop procedures that ensure the system is inclusive and efficient.

This is particularly timely, indicated on this map (click map to enlarge), data collected by myregion.org show that the elder and younger population segments in Central Florida are also the fastest growing – and are the most frequent users of the health and human services programs.

Central Florida’s 211 operation, consisting of approximately 18 employees, will be located at the Dr. Nelson Ying Center, home of Heart of Florida United Way. Heart of Florida United Way will provide primary fundraising and management oversight responsibility for the service. The Community Services Network will provide information and referral expertise and advice.

This service is already operational in Brevard County. United Ways serving Volusia, Lake and Polk counties are currently involved in the process of bringing 211 to their areas.

At this time, significant contributors to Central Florida’s 211 (those providing $50,000 or more) are the Dr. Phillips Foundation, Orange County Government, the Senior Resource Alliance, Heart of Florida United Way and the City of Orlando.

As the official volunteer center serving Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, the area’s only authorized Gifts In Kind International affiliate and the largest provider of funds to Central Florida’s most critical health and human service programs, Heart of Florida United Way impacts more people annually than any other charity operating in the tri-county area. Heart of Florida United Way partners with local businesses, governments, other charities and individuals, to not only increase awareness of local health and human service issues, but to also increase hope, options and possibilities for people in the community.

Community Services Network is Central Florida’s leading information center for social services. CSN’s First Call for Help (407-893-7500) handles more than 60,000 calls a year and its Community Resources Directory, listing more than 400 agencies and services, is published annually. CSN, through its Community Stewardship Program, serves as the fund manager for more than $1 million in emergency financial assistance.

The purpose of the Senior Resource Alliance is to coordinate and develop services and resources for elders in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, enabling them to age with independence and dignity.

To learn more about 211, you may contact Michelle Herbold, Communications Manager for the Heart of Florida United Way at 407.835.0900 ext. 243 or via email at mherbold@hfuw.org, or call Nancy Muni, Director of Information and Referral of the Community Services Network at 407.897.6464 or email her at nancym@csnetowork.org. You may reach Doug Beach, CEO of the Senior Resource Alliance at beachd@elderaffairs.org or Michael Carbana, Marketing and Communications Manager at carbanam@elderaffairs.org or via telephone at 407.228.1800.