Specialists now can provide assistance and support via text between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays, thanks to support from United Way of Brevard. Just text your ZIP code to 898211.
“We recognized that more and more people may prefer text-based communication and we’ve been working toward this for several years,” said Libby Donoghue, 2-1-1 Brevard executive director. “We know we need to use channels that meet the needs of younger residents.”
A team from LEAD Brevard’s Class of 2016 looked at marketing strategies for 2-1-1, especially the text-based platform. Their project title: “NextGen 2-1-1: Raising Awareness Under 30.”
“We will be looking to spread the word about text using some of the team’s plans,” said Belinda Stewart, 2-1-1 Brevard communications manager. “Now that we have text, we need to make sure people know that we have it.”
Hours for text may expand, and it will be rolled out for other 2-1-1 Brevard programs, such as the state-funded Help Me Grow initiative to promote healthy child development.