FOR RELEASE:
December 20, 2005

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Greenwald
(856) 783-0444
Beth Auerswald
(609) 292-7065

GREENWALD, DAVY TEAM WITH FLORIDA OFFICIALS,
RELOCATED GULF COAST FAMILIES TO PRAISE N.J. 2-1-1 SERVICE
Families Now Living in Atlantic, Bergen & Monmouth Counties Tell of Support Received from N.J. Call System(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald teamed with state Department of Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy and officials from the state’s 2-1-1 call system at a Tuesday afternoon press conference to hear from Florida officials and relocated families how New Jersey assisted the Gulf Coast during this year’s active hurricane season.

The 2-1-1 partnership, which provides access to the state’s social service programs through a single telephone line, served as a backup to Florida’s 2-1-1 system from June through November, and assisted thousands of victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

"It is gratifying to see New Jersey lend a helping hand to hurricane victims by providing support services through 2-1-1 call centers," said Greenwald (D-Camden). "The 2-1-1 system was designed to provide one-stop shopping for New Jerseyans in need of social services. Utilizing it to support hurricane relief efforts illustrates how New Jersey’s commitment to helping people knows no boundaries."

As chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, Greenwald has been instrumental in securing funding for the start-up and maintenance of New Jersey’s 2-1-1 system.

The New Jersey hotline also provided call center services for the United Way of America’s Hurricane Response Fund, which became a helpline distributed by the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Department of Labor.

The 2-1-1 call center in Hunterdon County, which processed most of the out-of-state calls, handled approximately 8,000 calls during a seven-week period. Fifteen percent of the telephone calls were from people making donations, while 85 percent were from people requesting assistance.

"In New Jersey, we were able to provide a voice, a reassurance, a measure of comfort to people in the midst of a scary situation. Whether it’s to assist the Florida 2-1-1 system for a short while or New Jerseyans every day, our job is to get people the precise help they need," said Davy, whose department oversees the operation of the 2-1-1 system.

New Jersey’s 2-1-1 hotline also continues to serve as the gateway to services for hurricane victims who sought refuge in the state.

Gulf Coast families that relocated to Atlantic, Bergen and Monmouth counties were on hand at the State House press conference to tell of their experience with New Jersey’s 2-1-1 system.

Paulina and Abraham, a couple in their 80s from New Orleans, currently live in New Milford, Bergen County. A 2-1-1 care manager arranged for in-home nursing care and a medical adult day care program for the couple. The couple plans on returning to New Orleans early next year when their son’s home is done being rebuilt.

Also a hurricane victim, Marie Goddard and her children – 3-year-old Latavia, 8-year-old Nikirah, and11-year-old Shartaga – relocated to Egg Harbor, Atlantic County, with no belongings other than the clothes on their backs . The children currently attend school in Egg Harbor, where the family was assisted by the 2-1-1 system.

A percussionist from New Orleans, Jeffrey Harris relocated to Monmouth County after the hurricane destroyed his hometown. Harris and his band have produced a song titled “Katrina� based on their experience after the hurricane.
The United Way started the 2-1-1 system in Atlanta in 1997. It currently is used in at least part of 39 states and in Washington, D.C.

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Note: Anyone wishing to interview the families, please call Beth Auerswald at 609-292-7065.