Agenda - 11-14-1995 - IX-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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Y 3 INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE UPDATE An information and referral service is a free telephone service which is designed to link people in need of services with the appropriate agency(s) or program(s) that best meets their needs. It serves as a convenient and confidential service which provides citizens with up-to-date information about community resources. HISTORY Since 1986,the Orange County Manager's Office and the Commissioner's Office has produced an "Information and Referral Guide for Orange County", also known as the "Orange Book". In 1994, the Orange County Public Library assumed responsibility for updating and distributing the "Orange Book". In an effort to enhance coordination among human service agencies through automation, the County created several initiatives which included; researching existing automated I&R systems to create a computerized I&R service in Orange County. The Orange County Partnership for Young Children also identified a need for an information and referral service for Orange County families. United Way of Greater Orange County agreed to serve as the administrator for a newly, and much-needed, information and referral service in Orange County. As a result, a collaborative partnership was created among Orange County Government, the O.C. Partnership for Young Children, and United Way of Greater Orange County to develop an automated I&R service for citizens in Orange County. PRESENT On August 18, 1995, an information and referral project team convened to discuss and endorse policies and guidelines for a new I&R service in Orange County. The I&R project team consists of representatives from: non-profits, county government, schools, business community, and local townships. In addition, a citizen advisory group has been created to provide community input and feedback for a new I&R service. United Way of Greater Orange has also contracted with the UNC School of Social Work's Human Services Smart Agency to assist with technical set-up for the I&R system. Presently,the target date for a pilot I&R system is January 1996. The new I&R service will be a call-in and dial-in(modem-accessible)information and referral service. Both service providers and citizens will be able to directly access community resources via modem(dial-in)or by calling the United Way office and speaking directly with an I&R operator. FUZ'U E In the future,Durham,Wake, and Orange counties plan to unite to form a regional information and referral service to serve the entire Triangle area. The Internet is also part of secondary planning to provide worldwide access.