FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645

Transition Completed to United Way's 2-1-1 Help Line

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day is pleased to announce that the final steps have been completed in the transition to United Way's regional 2-1-1 service.

The former Information Rockland website is being taken down. Residents who are looking for information about health and human service resources are now being directed to www.hudson211.org.

In addition, callers who reach the former Information Rockland 2020 telephone hotline run by the Rockland Department of Social Services are being given a recorded message to contact United Way's regional 2-1-1 service instead.

"This enhanced service will provide the same exceptional service that residents have received from Information Rockland in the past, but with additional features," the County Executive said. "Calls will now be answered during extended hours and on legal holidays by specialists and regional information will be available during emergencies.

Rockland County began partnering with United Way in the beginning of the year to provide the 2-1-1 service from its regional call center. An average of 60 people from Rockland County are calling the 2-1-1 service every week.

The change increases efficiency and makes it easier for Rockland residents to get the information they need, the County Executive said.

"The 211 help center is available between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day of the year," he said. "Translation services are also available for non-English speaking callers."

The Rockland County Department of Social Services will continue to provide mandated intake for both Protective Services for Adults and Family Services, with intake being handled within each unit. This assessment service-centralized approach will increase communication between intake worker and caseworker.

• To make a referral for Protective Services for Adults, contact DSS's Protective Services for Adults Unit at 845-364-3571.
• To make a referral for Family/Adolescent/Preventive Services, contact DSS's Family Services Unit at 845-364-3050.
• To make a referral for Child Protective Services, mandated reporters (DSS workers are mandated reporters) call 1-800-635-1522; the general public can contact 1-800-342-3720.
• If you believe that an individual is in immediate danger, call 911.
• For entitlement programs including Temporary Assistance and SNAP, call 845-364-3100; for Medicaid call 845-364-3040.