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New Transportation Opportunities for Laramie, Albany and Natrona Counties
by Sabrina Lane
I am very excited to announce that Wyoming 211 has partnered with United Way Worldwide and Lyft to address pressing transportation needs to help people access services for specific and needed situations, such as essential medical services, education programs, job interviews, and more. Limited rides may be available to assist clients getting connected to needed services and should not be used for long distance and/or on-going transportation needs. When a client calls or is referred to 211 to request transportation assistance, a 211 Specialist assesses client eligibility and schedules or dispatches a free or discounted Lyft ride on behalf of the client. Rides can only be scheduled Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The 211 Specialist will explore long- term transportation options for future needs, if needed. At this time, transportation services are only available in Laramie County, Albany County, and (somewhat limited availability in) Natrona County. If you would like to learn more about this program, please Call 211 for more information.
RIDE UNITED WITH WYOMING 211!
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This month's DEEP DIVE:
The Safe2Tell Wyoming confidential tip line provides a great opportunity for Wyoming’s communities to address the health and safety concerns of our students and schools. While school-focused violence prevention is Safe2Tell Wyoming’s primary focus, they are also uniquely positioned to assist with interventions for suicidal threats, bullying, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, eating disorders, and many other concerns regarding Wyoming’s youth.
Wyoming 211 had the opportunity to speak recently with Safe2Tell Wyoming’s Program Manager Bill Morse about Safe2Tell Wyoming and some of the problems confronting Wyoming’s students and schools.
Q: Do you think we are experiencing a shift away from the unwritten code of silence (that prevented students from reporting threats and concerns in the past) towards the normalization of reporting? Do today’s students feel more empowered to advocate for themselves instead of resigning themselves to a culture of bullying and abuse?
A: Yes, from looking at the number of tips received each month since Safe2Tell Wyoming started in 2016, I believe there is a shift from the code of silence. I believe this is a result of several things taking place - schools and school districts in Wyoming are working to promote a change in the climate and culture of schools; instant and continuing news coverage of tragic school incidents have made parents and students more aware of concerning behaviors and the importance of reporting; the work schools and organizations are doing to promote suicide prevention and raise awareness to other mental health issues along with the important message of reaching out for help for the student themselves or their friends.
Q: The number of suicide-related reports is concerning. Are you seeing any correlations between students expressing suicidal ideation and other triggers in Safe2Tell Wyoming's data?
A: When you look at the data since the inception of the Safe2Tell Wyoming program, you find the top 10 tips all relate to mental health, things affecting mental health and substance abuse, with threats of suicide being our number one tip. The other top tips are bullying, drugs, self harm, vaping, harassment, depression, child abuse, cyber bullying and alcohol. Most of these tip types have been reported on nationally as triggers which have led to suicide or thoughts of suicide in some cases.
Q: Despite the fact that Wyoming currently has the second highest adolescent suicide rate in the nation between the ages of 15-19, does the public have a clear grasp of the magnitude of this issue, and are we taking appropriate steps to address the triggers that are contributing to suicidal ideation statewide?
A: Great strides have been made over the last several years to address suicide prevention with amazing work and support from the top levels of state government, local non-profits, civic organizations, private entities, public health officials, schools, churches and volunteer groups. Some of this work has focused on helping remove some of the stigma around mental health and suicide, stressing that it is okay to ask for help, however we continue to see youth suicide. While work on this issue has helped, I am not sure the public has a complete understanding on the severity, or they don't recognize the death as a suicide when they see a death mentioned in the media. As for the triggers being addressed, there is certainly more work to be done or the state's suicides would not be happening at the current rate. There has been constant work and programs evolving around the triggers and the latest trends that cause the triggers, yet unfortunately adolescent and adult suicide continues to be a problem.
Q: Have the federal government’s recent attempts to minimize the access and appeal of vaping to minors resulting in any change in the amount of vaping reports Safe2Tell Wyoming has received?
A: I cannot say with certainty what has caused the decline in the number of vaping tips we have received. When looking at the decline, comparing 2019 with 2021 (2020 was COVID school closures) we saw a drop in the number of tips by 42.7%, however comparing 2021 to 2022 year to date we have only experienced a drop of 1.04%. Was the sharp decline from 2019 to 2021 the result of the work of the federal government, the result of the law changes in Wyoming, the work of school staff to prevent vaping in schools, or the increase in public awareness campaigns concerning the dangers of vaping and the harm it does to people's health?
Q: What are some of the concerns that you are seeing in Safe2Tell Wyoming's reporting that you wish were more well-known among the general public?
A: Social media can be a cruel place for students and contributes to many of the problems students are dealing with on a daily basis.
Q: Could you share a success story with us?
A: Concerning content was posted on social media by an elementary aged student leading other students to believe there was a threat of suicide. Intervention by school staff and law enforcement discovered the student had been planning suicide for several months. With the help of local support, the student was able to receive the help they needed and fortunately a tragedy was averted.
Q: What trainings are available for the community in order to better understand the scope of Safe2Tell Wyoming’s services?
A: Safe2Tell Wyoming can provide in-person or virtual presentations to any community group wishing to understand more about the program's mission and goals, what we do, as well as some of our overall statistics for the program.
Q: What can we as individuals and communities do to better support our students and their families, as well as the mission of Safe2Tell Wyoming?
A: School safety and student well being is not just a school issue, it is a family and community issue and takes everyone being engaged. Awareness of what students are doing and the issues they face may take difficult or awkward conversations at home but is critical in preventing tragic outcomes. If someone sees or hears something concerning, speak up - if you don't who will?
Q: Does Safe2Tell Wyoming have any upcoming events?
A: We do not have any upcoming events but will be at a few conferences around the state in the coming months with a vendor table.
You can contact Safe2Tell Wyoming at:
Phone: 1-844-996-7233 (844-WYO-SAFE)
Web: https://www.safe2tellwy.org/
email: safe2tellwyoming@wyo.gov
or download their mobile app!
Safe2Tell Wyoming,
doing great things for the Cowboy State.
Wyoming 211 is pleased to have Safe2Tell Wyoming as a resource in our database. Callers to 211 with questions, concerns, or needs related to the health and safety of our schools and students will receive referral information to Safe2Tell Wyoming in addition to other organizations established to address any related or additional needs.
Special thank you to Bill Morse with Safe2Tell Wyoming for his assistance with this article.
Did you enjoy this article? Let us know and your comments might appear in next month's issue!
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This month, we are sharing a very special story.
If you have ever had the chance to meet Josie, Wyoming 211's Team Lead, then you know that Josie cares deeply about the callers on the other end of the line and wants to do her very best to help them. It is important to remember that we're all human, which means that we can't help but be affected sometimes by the stories we hear, and sometimes our hearts ache for our friends and neighbors in need all across this beautiful state.
This is the story of one of those calls.
 One afternoon, Josie received a call from a woman who was struggling to pay her utility bills. Utility payment assistance is currently our most common request; the number one need for the third quarter of 2022 and the third most common overall for the year. Josie guided the caller through our intake process in order to help discern which assistance programs the caller might qualify for. It is a quick and simple process of answering a few questions, but sometimes as part of the process, the caller feels they need to talk to someone and tell their story. Not for any reason beyond the scope of our service, but just to talk to someone. More importantly, to finally be heard. And sometimes this results in a few tears being shed on both ends of the line.
The caller lives on a small ranch outside of the city limits of the nearest town. Her husband recently left her, and now she is alone struggling to care for the ranch and a handful of farm animals. Apparently, the split was acrimonious and the husband dismantled the ranch's truck, leaving the caller ranchbound and helpless. Tears came easily as the caller described her concerns about obtaining feed for the animals and propane for heat during the upcoming winter.
Josie informed the caller about a program that could help to provide heating assistance, but the caller didn't have a computer with which to fill out or print the application. Josie asked the caller for permission to drive out to the ranch to deliver the application in person. "You would do that?" came the response.
Well, this is Josie we're talking about, so the answer is yes.
Josie coordinated with call center staff and utilized her lunch break to drive out to the ranch and deliver the application. Prior to leaving the office, she rummaged through the office kitchen collecting whatever food was available in order to deliver it as well. When she arrived at the ranch, the caller expressed how much it meant for Josie to go out of her way in order to help her apply for the assistance she needed. Josie assured her that 211 was there to help as much as possible, and that she should never feel alone in her struggles.
During her visit, Josie was able to connect the caller to a resource for food, and discussed transportation options. The caller was currently receiving help from neighbors and friends from church, but knows that she can call 211 when any further needs arise.
Josie went above and beyond to help this caller, even beyond the scope of the services provided by 211. She acted on her own initiative and utilized her own time and resources in order to reach out and help someone who was in a real bind. This speaks volumes of Josie's character, and also for the people who commit to careers in the nonprofit realm.
In a recent presentation to the Connect2Women annual conference, Wyoming 211's Executive Director expressed that "(the nonprofit sector) is where I need to be - helping to connect people. It's meaningful. It fills me up. Knowing the work that I'm doing is good. I’m helping people. This is my purpose. There's something different about the nonprofit sector that just makes me feel alive."
This holds true for all of us at Wyoming 211. We are living in a complicated time, with multifaceted challenges and a landscape of resources that can be difficult to navigate. A search engine just isn't the same thing as a helpful, guiding hand. When you reach out to Wyoming 211, you get a real conversation with a caring specialist.
Like our Josie.
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Did you enjoy this article? Let us know and your comments might appear in next month's issue!
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INFORMATION
Does your organization have some EXCITING NEWS to share? A significant accomplishment? We'd sure love to spread the word about the good work you're doing. Just send us an EMAIL!
November 16th is National Information & Referral (I&R) Day. It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge and appreciate the work done daily by thousands of professionals and volunteers who link services to people through information and referral programs.
The I&R profession operates through 2-1-1 programs, crisis centers, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and Military Family Support Centers, and provide specialized and comprehensive I&R services every day. These programs can be found in libraries, independent community non-profits, faith-based organizations, and government agencies at every level.
The 2-1-1 access to human services system helps people connect to the I&R services in their communities. The most recent data shows that 2-1-1 serves more than 92 percent of the US population in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. In 2016, almost 13 million calls were handled by 2-1-1.
We celebrate I&R Day on the eve of the holiday season—a time when human challenges for help and assistance can grow. We must recognize the value and relevance of I&R in America. It can and does make a difference in the lives of those who I&R specialists and volunteers support each day.
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Military OneSource is celebrating National Veterans' and Military Families' Month while wishing you a very Happy Veteran’s Day and Happy Thanksgiving. In this month’s edition of the Military OneSource Newsletter, you can read the articles “ Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families” and “ Relationship Tips: Four Common Pitfalls and How to Tackle Them”. It also has articles discussing relationship wellness, interactive tools for MilParents, and the blog on “ Tips for a fun FriendsGiving”.
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Tis the Season to Get Flu Shots
 While the two most recent flu seasons involved very low activity levels, a Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) official says this influenza season may be different and flu shots can help protect Wyoming residents from serious illness.
Influenza vaccines are available in many locations, including local public health nursing offices, workplaces, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and retail stores and are covered by most insurance plans. In addition, Wyoming’s public vaccine programs, which are available at participating providers, help protect some adults and children from vaccine-preventable diseases, such as influenza, at little to no cost for eligible patients. COVID-19 vaccine doses are available in many of the same locations and currently remain available at no cost.
Pediatric hospitals are reporting a surge in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Learn more about RSV HERE.
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Keeping the furnace down low so that you can afford your energy bill? The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) may be able to help!
LIEAP's purpose is to help low- and fixed-income families and individuals pay their heating bills during the winter months. Seasonal LIEAP benefits are applied to a household's main heat source (the fuel your heat system uses to heat the home; not the power source needed to turn on the furnace).
Interested in qualifying for this program? Visit https://www.lieapwyo.org/ or dial 2-1-1 and we can connect you to the program!
Find energy-saving tips HERE.
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EVENTS
Does your organization have an upcoming event? Events occurring after December 15 can be featured in our next newsletter and we'd love to help spread the word. Just send us an EMAIL!
Check for the date of the webinar focusing on your county. Webinars will be held on each date at Noon and 6:00 PM.
Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Crook, Weston - November 15, 2022
Wind River Indian Reservation, Fremont - November 17, 2022
Statewide Option if you are unable to attend the above dates - December 6, 2022
Registration for any of the above dates is available HERE.
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National Rural Health Day (NRHD) is November 17, and is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded and determined spirit that prevails in rural America. NRHD showcases the efforts of rural healthcare providers, organizations and cooperatives, State Offices of Rural Health, and stakeholders from various industry sectors dedicated to addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face today and into the future. LINK
Did you find this month's Wyoming 211 Bulletin Board to be helpful? Let us know and your comments might appear in next month's issue!
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 Olivia Schon recently joined the Wyoming 211 team as our new Director of Development and Marketing in September. She is actively helping to tell the Wyoming 211 story and increase public awareness of the resources that Wyoming 211 has to offer.
"Growing up in a home which provided foster care for 13 babies (not all at once!) until placed for adoption, I learned the life changing effects a non-profit agency can offer people in need. Now, as a wife and mother of three, I strive to model a heart of service for my own family to follow.
My work as Director of Development and Marketing for Wyoming 211 gives me the chance to advance the cause of an agency which has servanthood as the touchstone of its existence. But an agency that provides assistance to people navigating various life challenges needs funding to continue and increase the services it offers. My volunteer work with various non-profit groups has given me the needed fundraising and development experience to further the mission of Wyoming 211.
Also, an agency with so much to offer must be widely visible. Our marketing program will seek to make sure that all Wyoming residents will know of the services Wyoming 211 provides. There is a lot on my plate for sure, and I am eager to get to work!"
Olivia is a great addition to the Wyoming 211 team, and contributes each day to Wyoming 211's vision and goals. We are very happy to have her here at Wyoming 211.
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This Month's Question:
What is your ALL-TIME favorite movie?
"haha...DON"T LAUGH....Shrek." - Sabrina
"Sweet Home Alabama the poor cat!!! LOL." - Jane
"Titanic." - Josie
"Absolutely Labyrinth. I've probably watched it about 100 times, David Bowie has always been an idol in my book!" - Nichole
"A Walk To Remember!" - Natasha
"My fav movie that I love over and over is "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." (I LOVE Matthew McConaughey) - Tricia
"Steel Magnolias. You can take the girl out of the South..." - Olivia
"Blade Runner. I saw it several times in empty theaters when it was originally released and kept dragging my friends to come see it. Now I've lived long enough to see it become a highly regarded and hugely influential classic and I feel vindicated for advocating for it when nobody knew about it." - Karis
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is my favorite movie. By far. Second is Fools Gold!" - Chandra (Kinship Connections)
"haha How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is also my favorite movie!!!!" - Gabby (Kinship Connections)
What is YOUR all-time favorite movie? Let us know and your answer might appear in next month's issue!
Do you have a question for the Wyoming 211 team? ASK!
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 As I write this, I am looking out the window on the morning after the first snowstorm of the season. Winter has finally made her presence known, and like all snowstorms it is easier to appreciate the resulting beauty from a distance than it is when, for example, you realize that you have to scrape ice from your windshield.
Soon we will be engaging in annual traditions, such as enjoying seasonal recipes that have been handed down from previous generations. There will be decorations to display, gifts to wrap, politics to avoid and Christmas albums of questionable merit to discuss. There will also be those unavoidable moments of nostalgia, and the magic of seeing strings of colorful lights reflecting in the widened eyes of children as they search the sky and make their wishes.
Wishes are wonderful things. “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” to quote the classic film.
But a wish requires somebody to make an effort if that dream is ever to be realized.
This holiday season, we at Wyoming 211 would like to ask – in all humility – that you please keep us in mind.
Hear me out:
There will be people – individuals and families – who may not have enough to eat and don’t know where to turn. With one phone call, Wyoming 211 can provide answers and help them receive assistance. You could be the person who tells them about us. Working together, we can make a difference.
There will be people who need clothing, or help getting a job, or help finding shelter or a place to live. Wyoming 211 can help – but the people who need us need to know about us. And nothing in the world is better than word of mouth from a trusted soul when it comes to helping people find their way to Wyoming 211 and our database of resources.
So today we are reaching out to you. To anyone and everyone who might read these words. You know about us and the work we do. You know about our database and our 2600+ resources. And you might encounter someone this holiday season who is in need of assistance. You can help to provide the answer.
This is why we are here. This is the work we do. And this is why we are asking you this holiday season to be ready to tell someone about Wyoming 211.
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Did you enjoy this article? Let us know and your comments might appear in next month's issue!
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Launched in February 2011, Wyoming 211 is a statewide helpline and website which provides free, confidential, health and human services information and referral. By dialing 211 or visiting the website, Wyomingites can connect to information about local resources from both government and nonprofit agencies.
Website: wyoming211.org
Copyright © 2022 Wyoming 2-1-1, All rights reserved.
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