Finance Highlights 2007 1016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Eden I&RJ211 ~~Jho 2-1-1 Assisted: Despite no countywide public 2-1-1 promotion, and limited Resource Specialists answering the 2-1-1 phone lines, 1,061 2-]-1 callers (individuals and families, as well as their advocates) were assisted with up-to-date health, housing and human services information via 2-1-1 from January 2007 through June 2007 (this is in addition to the over 10,600 calls --representing over 5,000 unduplicated callers -- that were assisted over the Corrm~unity Housing And Information Network- CHAIN -phone lines throughoutFY07). Example 2-I-1 calls include: An Oakland woman called in need of help with her PG&E bill. She had received a 48 hour notice, Eden I&R's Resource Specialist called PG&E on a conference call with the caller to get a two day extcnsion so she could get the necessary papers filed with the Salvation Army who could then call in a payment guarantee. After speaking with three PG&E supervisors the extension was granted and ultimately the bill was paid by Salvation Army (also arranged through the Resource Specialist). This same caller was also behind on her rent for two months. The Resource Specialist called Operation Dignity and they agreed to cover the caller's rent once all the necessary documentation was presented at the appointment the next day (which was also arranged by the Resource Specialist). The caller called back to let the Eden I&R Resource Specialist know that she is now employed by the Salvation Army taking the calls for utility assistance! o An 83 year old disabled woman who tearfully called in need of housing for herself and her grandchildren. Eden I&R provided referrals to two apartments and a house, all of which were wheelchair accessible and in her price range. o ~ A single young homeless woman from Fremont who was able to save enough money from her part-time job, while staying at a shelter, to pay for first and last month's rent. Eden I&R was able to provide her with three available one bedroom apartment referrals in her price range. o A 21 year old woman called and stated she was a battered woman with no income and in fear for her life. "My ex-boyfriend is out therein Oakland somewhere and if he finds me I don't know what he'll do. He's already broken my jaw." She had no safe place to go that evening. Eden I&R was able to refer her to two battered women's shelters who reported to us that they each had space for a single female. The 2-1-1 phone service has produced some new types of calls as well that are very beneficial to the conununity. Two examples include: o A caller wanted to report a suspicious car parked in front of his home. This is an example of a non-emergency police type of call which came to 2-1-1 instead of 9-1-1. The caller was given the local, seven-digit police number to cal] for assistance. o A caller had a relative in Dallas, Texas who needed human services assistance. The 2-1-1 Resource Specialist was able to give the caller the toll free 800 number to the 2-1-1 provider in Dallas. A ency Infrastructure Advances: • Staff ng At the beginning of the Fiscal Year, thanks to private sector funding, Eden I&R was able to hire the first dedicated 2-] -1 Phone Line Resource Specialist. The most beneficial aspect of this first hire was that this individual started at the agency as a Spectrum Intern (a low-income senior citizen veteran) who was re- entering the workforce. After several months of training, he has proven himself to be a strong and knowledgeable advocate for 2-1-I callers, especially those who are in need of multiple services.