Officials want to spread 2-1-1 message
By Chris Sykes, Staff Writer
Most residents know about the 9-1-1 telephone number for emergencies or the 4-1-1 number for directory information.
But not many people know about the 2-1-1 phone number. Like its numerical counterparts, 2-1-1 is free as it gives users access to the federal and state social-services safety net.
“I didn’t know about it until lately,” said East Orange Councilwoman Sharon Fields, who works in the social service sector. “I don’t know who is supposed to be disseminating that information, but I believe that it comes through the state.”
East Ward Councilman Quinzell McKenzie of Irvington said the number is the hot line to the N.J. Department of Human Services. McKenzie said he knew that because he founded the non-profit East Ward Community Collaborative several years ago to advocate for children and families in need. The organization worked with state personnel on cases.
“There are not a lot of people who do know about it. That is a common problem for elected officials and anyone who does community advocacy or social-service work because we always encounter people who come to us for help,” said McKenzie. “We wind up telling them about programs that are out there for them to take advantage. It’s a good thing they’re coming to us, but it’s a bad thing because all we can do is tell them about things they should already know about.”
The paradox that McKenzie described is ever-present, he said, but it does not deter him or others such as Fields who are really interested in people and public service from getting involved and doing what they do.
Most residents know about the 9-1-1 telephone number for emergencies or the 4-1-1 number for directory information.
But not many people know about the 2-1-1 phone number. Like its numerical counterparts, 2-1-1 is free as it gives users access to the federal and state social-services safety net.
“I didn’t know about it until lately,” said East Orange Councilwoman Sharon Fields, who works in the social service sector. “I don’t know who is supposed to be disseminating that information, but I believe that it comes through the state.”
East Ward Councilman Quinzell McKenzie of Irvington said the number is the hot line to the N.J. Department of Human Services. McKenzie said he knew that because he founded the non-profit East Ward Community Collaborative several years ago to advocate for children and families in need. The organization worked with state personnel on cases.
“There are not a lot of people who do know about it. That is a common problem for elected officials and anyone who does community advocacy or social-service work because we always encounter people who come to us for help,” said McKenzie. “We wind up telling them about programs that are out there for them to take advantage. It’s a good thing they’re coming to us, but it’s a bad thing because all we can do is tell them about things they should already know about.”
The paradox that McKenzie described is ever-present, he said, but it does not deter him or others such as Fields who are really interested in people and public service from getting involved and doing what they do.
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