Public Can Connect with Local Services 24/7 - Partners Call on Citizens to 'Be a Link - Pass the Link'

Thousands of Lake County citizens found this important message in their e-mail and cell phone inboxes today: "Be a Link-Pass the Link." County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt declared a call to action for all Lake County citizens to forward http://www.findhelplakecounty.org/ to everyone they know in an effort to connect citizens to social services available throughout Lake County. Citizens are encouraged to share this link with neighbors, co-workers and others.

Schmidt and other County Board members joined United Way of Lake County to announce the new Find Help Lake County on-line directory. They forwarded the link to their contacts, reaching thousands of Lake County citizens simultaneously.

Individuals, families and service providers will be able to access www.FindHelpLakeCounty.org and search a database of health and human services provided by agencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Lake County offers the highest quality community resources for a broad spectrum of concerns - from teen pregnancy to uninsured families, to substance abuse and those living with domestic violence. As of today, we have more than 700 agencies that have inputted their information. This kind of up-to-date, easy-to-use resource did not exist until now, and it will go a long way in providing help to those who need it," said Kristi Long, United Way of Lake County President.

The resource is the result of a private-public partnership between United Way of Lake County, the Lake County Board, the Lake County Health Department and the Lake County Workforce Investment Board, along with local corporations, Hospira and Scotsman. A printed Find Help Guide will also be available to the public. The on-line and printed guides replace the Directory of Lake County Human Services ("Redbook") that has been published by the Workforce Investment Board for many years.

"Lake County is proud to be a partner in this initiative," Schmidt said. "While many of our residents have access to the internet at home or work, we recognize that many families may not have a computer at home. That is why it is important for government, schools, libraries, businesses, churches, neighborhood and civic groups to be a link by providing access to the internet for those who need it and also passing the link to as many people as possible."

Unlike printed directories that can become outdated quickly, the on-line directory allows agencies to directly update their information in real-time. United Way of Lake County anticipates the list of agencies in the database to continue to grow as more agencies become aware of this resource. To learn more about www.FindHelpLakeCounty.org, call the United Way of Lake County at 847-775-1000.

 

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