AUGUSTA, Maine—February 2022 is officially recognized as 211 Month by the Maine Legislature, with the resolution passing in the Senate and House with bipartisan support. Finding help for complex needs like shelter, substance use, mental health, or food access can be hard for many Mainers. Fortunately, there is a Maine-based resource that can help.
The Joint Resolution recognizing 211 Month in Maine was cosponsored by Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) and Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach).
Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook), cosponsor of the 211 Month resolution.
“Ever since I served on the Opioid Task Force in 2017, I felt it important to promote the valuable resources that 211 Maine provides the people of our state,” shared Sen. Stewart. “Whether it’s COVID-19 information, mental health or substance abuse resources, or any other state programs available to Maine citizens, 211 Maine connects people in every part of our state with the help they need. I’m honored to be able to help promote this important resource in Maine each year and am thankful for all the hard work they do every day for Mainers!”
Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach), cosponsor of the 211 Month resolution.
“I have spent my career as a social worker and know that, now more than ever, 211 Maine offers invaluable support to Mainers every day,” said Rep. Gramlich. “From basic needs like home heating and food assistance to behavioral health services and crisis support, finding help doesn’t have to be overwhelming thanks to 211 Maine. This is a resource we all can turn to for assistance. I am proud to support 211 Maine.”
Since becoming a statewide service in 2006, 211 Maine has received over 800,000 calls. Every month, 211 receives thousands of calls from people looking for help for themselves or people they know.
“This has been a challenging year for many of us,” said Liz Cotter Schlax, United Way of Southern Maine CEO/President and President of the 211 Maine Board of Directors. “211 Maine has not only stepped up to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has continued to grow and demonstrate its value to the people of Maine.”
In addition to helping Mainers connect to the spectrum of health and human services, 211 continues its involvement in specific initiatives, including Maine’s Opiate Helpline to provide confidential referrals to treatment options, fielding questions about prevention, treatment, and mitigation of brown tail moth caterpillars and moths, answering the Maine Problem Gambling Helpline, and co-hosting the first Maine Virtual-Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) with Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and other partners.
Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by texting a Maine zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. 211 Maine is a collaborative effort of the United Ways of Maine, the State of Maine, and The Opportunity Alliance as the Contact Center Partner.
Ninette Irabaruta, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for United Way of Southern Maine, Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook), and Nikki Williams, 211 Maine Program Manager, pose after the resolution passed in the State Senate.
Maine Legislature Recognizes February 2022 as 211 Month
February 17, 2022
AUGUSTA, Maine—February 2022 is officially recognized as 211 Month by the Maine Legislature, with the resolution passing in the Senate and House with bipartisan support. Finding help for complex needs like shelter, substance use, mental health, or food access can be hard for many Mainers. Fortunately, there is a Maine-based resource that can help.
The Joint Resolution recognizing 211 Month in Maine was cosponsored by Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) and Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach).
“Ever since I served on the Opioid Task Force in 2017, I felt it important to promote the valuable resources that 211 Maine provides the people of our state,” shared Sen. Stewart. “Whether it’s COVID-19 information, mental health or substance abuse resources, or any other state programs available to Maine citizens, 211 Maine connects people in every part of our state with the help they need. I’m honored to be able to help promote this important resource in Maine each year and am thankful for all the hard work they do every day for Mainers!”
“I have spent my career as a social worker and know that, now more than ever, 211 Maine offers invaluable support to Mainers every day,” said Rep. Gramlich. “From basic needs like home heating and food assistance to behavioral health services and crisis support, finding help doesn’t have to be overwhelming thanks to 211 Maine. This is a resource we all can turn to for assistance. I am proud to support 211 Maine.”
Since becoming a statewide service in 2006, 211 Maine has received over 800,000 calls. Every month, 211 receives thousands of calls from people looking for help for themselves or people they know.
“This has been a challenging year for many of us,” said Liz Cotter Schlax, United Way of Southern Maine CEO/President and President of the 211 Maine Board of Directors. “211 Maine has not only stepped up to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has continued to grow and demonstrate its value to the people of Maine.”
In addition to helping Mainers connect to the spectrum of health and human services, 211 continues its involvement in specific initiatives, including Maine’s Opiate Helpline to provide confidential referrals to treatment options, fielding questions about prevention, treatment, and mitigation of brown tail moth caterpillars and moths, answering the Maine Problem Gambling Helpline, and co-hosting the first Maine Virtual-Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) with Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and other partners.
Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by texting a Maine zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. 211 Maine is a collaborative effort of the United Ways of Maine, the State of Maine, and The Opportunity Alliance as the Contact Center Partner.
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