Calls to 2-1-1 line on the rise
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A free regional human services hotline sponsored by the United Way received a 21 percent increase in calls in 2012 compared to the year before.
In Washington County, call volume increased by 218 percent.
According to the United Way, PA 2-1-1 Southwest fielded 31,694 calls in 2012. The agency said it provides a window into what the primary human needs are throughout the region. The top needs regionally last year were housing and shelter, utility assistance and food. In Washington County, the greatest number of calls were about assistance in paying for gas and rent, electrical service payment and food pantries. The greatest number of calls in the county came from the city of Washington, followed by Monongahela, Charleroi, Canonsburg and New Eagle.
Plans are on the drawing board to expand PA 2-1-1 Southwest into Greene County, along with Indiana, Lawrence and Beaver counties. Aside from Washington, the service is available in Allegheny, Butler, Armstrong, Fayette, Mercer and Westmoreland counties.