Announcements 

• 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Line. The option went live on July 16, 2022. The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent, and state-funded crisis centers equipped to help people in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis. Moving to 988 will not replace the Lifeline, rather it will be an easier way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers. Additionally, Veterans looking to reach the Veterans Crisis Line can also call 988, and press 1 to be connected to a qualified crisis counselor. Find out when to contact 211, 911, and 988. 

• Calling all Virginia Nonprofits! The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) has launched a survey of Virginia nonprofits and requests valued stakeholders across the Commonwealth to participate and share it with nonprofit leaders in their network. To provide meaningful input, these leaders should have a broad knowledge of their organization. They can work in any 501(c)3 or social impact group of any size. The survey can be taken here. Each organization that completes the survey will receive a free report of the findings and will be entered to win a raffled $350 gift card. 

211 Virginia experienced a record-setting contact volume in May 2022! Contact volume for May was the highest since the inception of our current Automatic Contact Distribution system on July 1, 2010 (the system responsible for routing calls to our Community Resource Specialists). Demand for services is likely the highest since the financial crash in the fall of 2008.

The May 2022 queued contacts are nearly double that of May 2021. The unmet needs have been increasing since February due to temporary relief programs ending, unavailability of funds, eligibility criteria not being met, and the demand outpacing the services. Our team constantly monitors agencies and programs reporting expended funds and shortages while adding new agencies and programs to our database.

What are the most pressing needs in your community? Find out with 211 Counts! 211 Counts provides a snapshot of community-specific needs, displayed by zip code, county, school district, or legislative district. The data tool is real-time, searchable, and visual and can overlap with Census Data. 

The 411 on 211 Virginia is an opportunity to learn more about Virginia's free 24-hour information and referral service with the most robust database of human services in the Commonwealth. 

Topics include:

• Overview of 211 Virginia
• Additional Resources 
• Benefits of 211 Virginia
• Connecting with 211 Virginia

Friday, August 26, 2022

10:00 AM

Zoom 

What We're Observing This Month

National Minority Mental Health Month is observed each year in the month of July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. These struggles include quality of care, access to care, and cultural stigma. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for racial and ethnic minority groups to access mental health and substance use treatment services and further revealed inequalities in health care for communities of color.

211 Virginia provides easy, free, and confidential connections to mental health services and support. We're here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

211 Virginia maintains a robust agency network that we can refer to quickly and efficiently.

Do you know of an agency that might be a good fit for the 211 Virginia database? If you need additional support, please connect with our Community Engagement Team.

Robert F. Morrow, Statewide Director, robertm@councilofcommunityservices.org

Brittney Boyd, Southeastern Region, brittneyb@councilofcommunityservices.org

Nelson Diaz, Richmond/Southside Region, nelsond@councilofcommunityservices.org

Amanda Holcomb, Southwest Region, amandah@councilofcommunityservices.org 

Jakelin Lake, Northern/Northwest Region, jakelinl@councilofcommunityservices.org

Joan Phelps, Central Region, joan.phelps@unitedwaycv.org

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