MAK-AIRS

 

Arkansas 211, Here to Serve:

As the State of Arkansas was beginning to deal with the Public Health response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and safety measures were closing down businesses and public gatherings, Arkansas 211 began the process of expanding our services.  For many years, Arkansas was one of two states in the United States that had less than 20% of its population served by a 211 service.  Beginning in 2017, we engaged a cohort of AmeriCorps members to update our statewide resources. We hosted another two service years for State and National Service members.  When the pandemic began to highlight community needs, United Way of Northwest Arkansas decided to expand the service to cover the entire state of Arkansas.  We then began the process of building a team of Arkansas residents to serve as Community Resource Advisors (CRAs) to cover a virtual contact center to serve the people of our state during business hours.  We secured the services of a sister 211 provider to cover our after-hours service so that we now can answer requests from help seekers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We also enhanced our service to the community by creating a new website for easier use by members of the community, and partner agencies.  Dallas Mudd, Executive Director of Arkansas 211, is fond of saying that when help seekers contact 211, it is because they are facing challenges.  It is our goal to be the best thing that happens to them during these challenging times by:

• Providing a confidential, judgement-free environment
• Validating the concerns of the help seekers
• Exploring if there are other needs that may be present
• Empowering help seekers with accurate, curated resources
• Establishing partnerships with community resource providers

 We were excited when we were able to secure grants to assist with the following statewide initiatives:

• Ride United Vaccine Access (RUVAC) – providing free Lyft rides for individuals seeking transportation to COVID-19 vaccines
• Ride United Transportation Access (RUTA) – providing free Lyft rides to overcome transportation barriers for needed one-time, or episodic need such as school, work, or appointments
• Ride United Last-Mile Delivery (RULMD – providing DoorDash courier services for needed essential supplies provided by partner agencies and programs

 We are excited to be growing in response to the needs we learn from our fellow Arkansans and to help provide a guiding light in times of darkness.  If you have questions about Arkansas 211 and the services we provide, please feel free to contact Carlos Garbutt, Director of Arkansas 211 via email, cgarbutt@unitedwaynwa.org.