Cortland County hopes to have a 211 help line, like Tompkins County's, by June
A coalition of healthcare providers is busy compiling a referral database, so that a 211 Helpline can be ready for Cortland County phone users in June.
Jackie Carlton, with Seven Valleys Health Coalition says the information is being posted online on their website as it's compiled. The phone service is expected to work business hours during weekdays, and will provide referrals for mental health, abuse, drugs, job finding and transportation, among other topics.
The answer line will be similar to one already running in Tompkins County, and may link with that one. Other parts of the state also have the service, but it's been longer coming to the Central NY stretch of Upstate, from the Canadian to the Pennsylvania border.
Carlton says people who need information and help often have several issues and questions, and this is also a way to take some of the non-emergency calls out of the 911 system.
