INNISFAIL – The town is opting out of the once heralded 211 phone service.
The free, confidential, multilingual, 24-hour information and referral system, which is funded by provincial Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), was first introduced to Innisfail and Central Alberta communities 18 months ago to provide citizens immediate access to community, health, government and social services information.
But town council was told on Sept. 11 that it was not catching on with Innisfailians and the phone component of the 211 service will be discontinued as of Oct. 31.
“It was a very underutilized service,” said Mayor Brian Spiller. “The service is still there for people to use online but the dial-up service will no longer be available 60 days after we give them our notice.”
In a report to council, Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator, said the town signed onto the service in 2016 after being approached by the United Way of Central Alberta. At the same time, several other municipalities in the region were contacted, including Red Deer County, Penhold, Bowden, Delburne and Elnora. These communities ultimately received the service through FCSS funding. Innisfail's 211 service was launched the following July, also through FCSS funding.
However, Bradbury's report said the service was not being utilized in Innisfail as anticipated. Council was told only 49 calls to the 211 service by Innisfailians were made from July 2016 to the end of June 2017.
“This equates to $108 per call based on the annual contracted amount,” said Bradbury in her report to council, which also stated Red Deer County has also cancelled the service. “In addition, on several occasions individuals accessing 211 services were referred back to the community and social development coordinator to follow up support and information on local programs and services.”
With council agreeing to terminate the 211 service, Bradbury said the town will have spent $7,490 of its FCSS money by the time the contract is terminated on Oct.31.
“I thought it was great when it started but it is not doing what we assumed it would,” said Coun. Patt Churchill at the Sept. 11 council meeting.
After Oct. 31 Innisfailians will still have access to www.211.ca as well as the Live Chat option on the website.
Mayor Brian Spiller
"It was a very underutilized service. The service is still there for people to use online but the dial-up service will no longer be available 60 days after we give them our notice."
