Getting the word out that community information is now a phone call away.
Community Connections in Collingwood announced the launch of the 2-1-1 Information service in Bruce and Grey at Grey County Council meeting on Tuesday in Ayton.
Community Connections Executive Director Pamela Hillier says both Bruce and Grey have never had this kind of service in their area.
She says the United Way of Bruce Grey has been on a mission to get the 2-1-1 service for the two Counties.
Hillier says one of the challenges is to have up-to-date information available for distribution.
She says community organizations can update their services through their websites — www.211brucecounty.ca and www.211greycounty.ca
She says they will verify the information before posting it.
Hillier says it initially cost them 42 million dollars a year when they first set up the service in Ontario but have learned from experience and now they have managed to keep costs down to around 15 million annually.
United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says the 2-1-1 service helps create plans and to provide information on what services are available to them.
She says this will help people deal with problems that aren’t 9-1-1 type emergencies but are nevertheless important.
Dobbyn says the United Way of Bruce Grey is contributing around 110 thousand dollars a year over 4 years.
She says Grey County is funding 13 thousand on a 1-year commitment while Bruce County is giving 12 thousand over 3 years.
She says Grey County wants to first see how the service will benefit their region before making a long-term commitment.
50 per cent of communities in Ontario and 31 per cent across Canada have 2-1-1 service.