FEBRUARY
2016
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
2-1-1 Taking Calls Since 1976
A Message from Richard Porth 
President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

 
2-1-1 is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is the celebration of a great concept - a unique service made available for free to Connecticut residents year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 
The service began operation in 1976 when the State of Connecticut and United Way leaders recognized that although there were thousands of agencies, programs and services serving people, it was often a challenge for Connecticut residents to find and access the services that best met their needs.  Infoline was created to provide a single, central source of information about human services in Connecticut.  It was the first statewide system of its type, supported by a partnership of United Ways and the State of Connecticut.  In 1999, Infoline became 2-1-1 making Connecticut the first state to use the three digit 2-1-1 number on a statewide basis. 

Through our 40 year history, people have called to find information for meeting basic needs, like rent or utility assistance, emergency help, or to find the closest food bank. Today, they also call to find out where to take their child for a developmental screening, how to locate job training or for information on caring for an elderly parent and much more. The launch of its new website at 211ct.org makes it easier than ever for users to find what they need.
  
Governor Malloy helped us to mark this anniversary with a proclamation declaring February 11 (2-11) as 2-1-1 day in the state of Connecticut.

Art2VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of approximately $54,000 a year or less. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure that people receive the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible.

VITA helps taxpayers obtain eligible tax credits and deductions, especially EITC, Child Tax Credit, Education Tax Credits and Child Care tax deductions. Anyone who files a basic tax return can have taxes prepared at one of the VITA sites. These credits support work and put thousands of dollars back into local businesses.

If you have a household income of less than $54,000 a year, dial 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment for free tax assistance at any one of VITA's sites. Details about all of the Connecticut VITA sites can also be found on the 2-1-1 website at this link, including hours of operation and details about whether help is available by appointment or walk-in.

Have a household income of $62,000 or less? Use www.unitedway.org/myfreetaxes to file your own taxes online for free. The site walks you through each step of the filing process to make filing your taxes a breeze. Save money and maximize your return!

With camp programs in such high demand, it is important to start the enrollment process early so you can secure a slot at not just any camp, but the camp that is right for your child.  With more than 1,000 summer camps in Connecticut alone, the question is, how do you choose a camp? children_camping.jpg

Need assistance identifying and evaluating the right Summer Camp for your child? 2-1-1 Child Care can help provide valuable information on selecting the right summer camp as well as up-to-date information on program descriptions and openings.

Our comprehensive Connecticut summer camp database includes general recreation programs, as well as specialty camps to accommodate a wide variety of interests.

Simply dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-505-1000 for more information on summer camps or search the Summer Camp Program database yourself at search.211childcare.org.  


Art42-1-1 Child Development Infoline Launches New Website

Connecticut families now have a new resource at their fingertips with the recent launch of cdi.211ct.org, a website designed to help connect pregnant women, children and their families to a full range of information and resources they need to raise healthy, active children.  

The new site helps parents quickly determine the proper developmental stages for their children by offering information in an easy-to-navigate layout.

It also provides information and resources that pregnant women and parents can use to help their children develop and reach their full potential, as well as an easy way for families and providers to obtain referrals to the development services they need through Child Development Infoline.