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Message from Richard Porth
President/CEO, United Way of Connecticut
2-1-1 Barometer: Unmet Needs in Connecticut
On an average day, 2-1-1 contact specialists handle over 1,200 calls from state residents in need of information and access to health and human services resources. Most of the time, services and agencies are available to help callers address their needs, and appropriate referrals are made.
Sometimes however, callers have needs that cannot be met due to service unavailability or the caller not meeting eligibility requirements. These requests are classified as Unmet Needs.
Our latest 2-1-1 Barometer report looks at 2-1-1 call data and explores the most prevalent Unmet Needs in Connecticut over the past four years, which include requests for help in these areas:
- Housing Assistance
- Utility Assistance
- Temporary Financial Assistance
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Free Resources to Help File Your Income Taxes
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It's tax season, and United Way 2-1-1 can connect you to two ways to get free help with filing your 2013 income taxes.
 The first resource is the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, which offers services throughout the state for residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. To see if you are eligible and to learn what documents to bring when you meet with the tax preparation volunteer, just dial 2-1-1 and speak with a contact specialist.
Another free resource is MyFreeTaxes.com, which provides free electronic tax filing of federal and state income tax returns. Individuals and families with a combined income of up to $58,000 in 2013 are eligible. Before you file, be sure to see if you qualify to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit by using their EITC calculator here.
For more information about the VITA program or MyFreeTaxes.com, dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state.
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Access to Mental Health Services
| Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being. In 2013, 2-1-1 contact specialists handled over 41,000 calls to connect residents with mental health resources.
Connection to mental health resources is just a call away: Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state, and a contact specialist will connect you with the appropriate services for your situation.
2-1-1 is also the point of access for Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS), which provides assistance from trained mental health clinicians to children in crisis. EMPS is available around the clock and services are provided at no cost to the family.
For help in crisis situations, dial 2-1-1 and press 1 to be connected directly with a trained crisis contact specialist.
For more information about accessing mental health resources in Connecticut, click here. |
Hurricane Sandy Recovery
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Connecticut faith-based, voluntary organizations and others have joined together with CT Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters to form CT Rises, a statewide long term recovery organization, to assist and advocate for Connecticut residents impacted by disasters.
CT Rises is dedicated to assisting Connecticut residents recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy as well as future disasters that may impact the state.
Whether or not they have registered for FEMA Assistance, residents who have unmet needs and need help recovering and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy can get help from CT Rises by dialing 2-1-1.
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