211 HelpLine's Founding History
Dr. Alsofrom was passionate about helping people
Dr. Robert K. Alsofrom was a prominent psychologist and recognized local mental health expert, who hosted television and radio programs and contributed to local columns.
For most of his 36 years, Dr. Alsofrom helped people deal with the problems they were experiencing, such as depression, suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Back in 1971, he had the idea that several well-trained volunteers could help the community by staffing a 24/7 substance abuse hotline and crisis line which soon became a lifeline for people of all ages who were struggling, feeling overwhelmed and needed a place to turn.
Dr. Alsofrom’s volunteers were trained by protocols he designed that consisted of a 50-hour training course that was set over four months. Volunteers also learning about abnormal behavior, psychotherapy, counseling, drugs, and their effects. More importantly, they learned emergency procedures and became fluent regarding the social services offered in Palm Beach County.
Today, the line is answered by highly trained paid staff with volunteers limited to college interns pursuing social work degrees. 211’s “Resource Specialists” receive over 100 hours plus training utilizing the Rogerian principles of Active Listening with additional certifications and accreditation requirements added. Staff must complete classroom hours, shadowing and buddy shifts before being allowed to man the line solo.
Emergence of the 211 Network
After the FCC approval of the national 211 initiative in 2000, our agency was one of the first in the area to meet the strict standards of the Alliance for Information and Referral Services (AIRS) to become a 211 provider. Ours service area soon expanded to include Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
The Center for Information & Crisis Services became 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast doing business as 211 HelpLine.
211 is not only the local community helpline and crisis line, but also the regional responder to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Disaster Distress Helpline and is contracted to answer several local provider lines. 211 staff answer upwards of 250 requests for help daily. 211 HelpLine has also expanded advocacy programs for its entire service area to include:
Help Me Grow which provides children growth, development and behavioral health screenings.
MYFLVET which provides peer-to-peer support for veterans and helps connect veterans and their family to resources.
Sunshine Daily Telephone Reassurance program provides a quick hello and welfare check for seniors.
Caregiver Project is 211's newest program which offers support and linkage to helpful services for caregivers 18 and over caring for another adult.
Additionally, 211 provides a Special Needs Helpline that provides support and helps families navigate services for their children with special needs, and Elder Crisis Outreach providing one-on-one assistance for vulnerable and distressed seniors over 60 (for Palm Beach County residents).
211 HelpLine also features a comprehensive Online Directory of Services for safe, convenient self-searches of available community resources and services that includes, local, state, and national providers.