Helping people find help. A program of the United Way offered by Olmsted Center for Sight

MISSION: To assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their highest levels of independence.

Olmsted Center for Sight: EDUCATION Early Education Program (EEP) Center-based Community-based Statler Career Center (Licensed Private Career School) Hospitality Contact Center EMPLOYMENT Hospitality Contact Center & 2-1-1WNY Switchboards Manufacturing OCS Agency FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE Low Vision Assessment Rehab Services Orientation & Mobility Rehabilitation teaching Independent Living Skills Social Work Assistive Devices & Technology HOUSING (6) 24-unit housing facilities Low income Disability 3

Do you wish you could write a prescription to address your patients social determinants of health?

4 out of 5 physicians surveyed (85%) say unmet social needs are directly leading to worse health for all Americans. 4 in 5 physicians surveyed (85%) say patients’ social needs are as important to address as their medical conditions. This is especially true for physicians (over 9 in 10, or 95%) serving patients in low-income*, urban communities. 3 in 4 physicians surveyed (76%) wish the health care system would cover the costs associated with connecting patients to services that meet their social needs if a physician deems it important for their overall health. Only 1 in 5 of physicians surveyed (20%) feel confident or very confident in their ability to address their patients’ unmet social needs. Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Help is available! Over 80% of Western New Yorkers (including health care providers) are not aware of the health and human services available for free or reduced cost.

We are the source for locating free and low-cost services available to Western New Yorkers 2-1-1WNY

What is 2-1-1? provides one point of access to the community’s full range of social, health and government services is personal and confidential covers all of New York State and 93% of the US is easy to remember.

2-1-1WNY Health & Human Service Information & Referral service covering seven counties of WNY (Allegany County is served by Finger Lakes) Trained and AIRS* certified Information and Referral Specialists Comprehensive up to date Health and Human Service database and client searchable website 4,500 agencies, 9,000 programs Trained in Disaster Call Center Operations Nationally recognized, easy to remember 3 digit number 24 hours x 365 days per year *AIRS - Alliance for Information and Referrals Specialists

What should I do if behind on my rent I get behind on my rent? Where can my grandson help with school get help with school? can’t afford If I can’t afford a lawyer, where can I get legal advice? Does anyone offer help in Medicaid forms filling out Medicaid forms? What if my daughter can’t pay can’t pay her medical bills? Is there someone out there me find a job who can help me find a job? Where can I find help for mentally ill relative a mentally ill relative? disaster assistance Do I qualify for disaster assistance? Whom should I call if I want do volunteer work to do volunteer work? baby furnitureclothing I am looking for free baby furniture and clothing.

I have no electricity, area shelter is there an area shelter accepting families? I have no electricity, area shelter is there an area shelter accepting families? I am out of heart medication heart medication, can someone help? I am out of heart medication heart medication, can someone help? no food My mother’s snowed in and has no food… electrical wire There is an electrical wire on my driveway… 4x4 transportation I am a surgeon and need 4x4 transportation to the Emergency Room evacuation route Is there a safe evacuation route from my neighborhood? hepatitis shot Do I need a hepatitis shot?

Burning building? Call 911! Burning question? Call 211! Connect to Services in the Community 2-1-1WNY provides comprehensive information & referral Over 4500 agencies, providing more than 9000 services Updated annually Specialized & Seasonal Information & Referral Help Me Grow – connecting families to developmental services Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby – for pregnant women & new moms DD Info Link – services for people with developmental disabilities WNY New Start – services for people returning home from jail VITA Collaborative – free tax prep for households < $50,000 Family Planning Collaborative - family planning & sex ed WNY Holiday Partnership – help for the holidays

Specialized database of services especially for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and service providers Searchable website covering 8 counties in WNY Helpline assists those without access to a computer Empowers people to direct their own services

Pregnancy & Early Parenting Resource Directory Comprehensive directory of services in Erie County for pregnant women & new moms (and dads) Call to find services, anytime, night or day

Our Information Specialists help callers get in touch with and take advantage of the services they require. Help they may not even realize existed.

Contact us anytime Call us by dialing: x 24 x 365 Or visit our website