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About Us |
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Since 1977, Information and Referral (I&R), now known as Fairfield County 2-1-1, traditionally offered information and referral services to the general public with a specialty in linking callers with financial assistance provided by area service groups. Due to transitions and lack of core funding, the agency operated with much of their manpower coming from volunteers. In January 2006 the agency began a partnership with the Fairfield County Family, Adult and Children First Council to pursue a transition to a full-service, nationally-accredited information and referral agency and 2-1-1 Call Center. Agency improvements have included moving to a handicap accessible building, phone system, computers, operating software with email, computer stations for I&R Specialists, hiring of minimal staff, staff training, and fund development. The I&R Board of Directors began to align the policies, procedures and practices of the agency with the national Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) standards of practice and to pursue AIRS accreditation and designation as a 2-1-1 Call Center. A part of the transition has been a rejuvenation of the I&R Board with over 50% of the board positions filled by new members since 2006. IRis 4.0 software was selected and funded by the Fairfield County Foundation and installed to enable development, maintenance, and an accurate up-to-date computerized database that contains information about available community resources including detailed data on services they provide and the conditions under which these services are available. Additionally, I&R created a database of client information that enables staff and volunteers to track services and client information in a timely manner. Call Volume 2-1-1 serves callers from all of Fairfield County, which has a population estimated at 143,712. 2-1-1 also responds to inquiries from individuals and agencies in surrounding counties who request information about Fairfield County services, as well as those seeking information about services in other counties and states. In 2009 (prior to IRis implementation), the total call volume was 35,682 resulting in 53,352 referrals to agencies for assistance or information. 2-1-1 currently has one full time Director, one full time and three part time Information Specialists, a part time Information Specialist funded through senior employment, a part time Housing Specialist (grant funded), and a full time HarvestCorps member. |
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