As a social worker, you often become a client’s go-to person. They frequently rely upon you to assist in decision making, from the life-changing to the day-to-day. This can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s where community resource navigators like Viddal come in. Viddal and her colleagues at 211 Nova Scotia routinely offer support to many of NSCSW’s 1900-plus members, finding unique resources for clients as social workers seek to improve the quality of life for people and help them overcome life’s most difficult challenges.
“As a social worker, I saw firsthand the benefits for my clients and for citizens of our province,” said Marsman, who received her MSW in 1993. “The services provided by 211 can be accessed by all ethnicities, classes, genders, languages, etc. throughout the province and therefore, strives to be an inclusive service. I would strongly encourage any eligible organization not currently in the 211 database to register and be a part of the collaboration, so Nova Scotians can get access to every service available to them.”
Viddal, who also works casually at the Responsible Gambling Resource Centre, believes 211 is an essential part of any social worker’s toolbox. “No matter what the situation, 211 is helpful in more ways than you might think,” she said. “One of my colleagues at the casino called 211 to inquire about supports in the community for a senior who was coming to the casino because she was lonely and wanted companionship. This lady didn’t need to be educated on responsible gambling or help with a voluntary self-exclusion. She needed resources to help with her feelings of isolation outside of the casino. Fortunately, 211 was able to make that connection for her.”
211 launched in Nova Scotia in February 2013 and is funded by the provincial government and the United Way. In 2018, over 37,000 calls were received at their small call centre in Dartmouth, and there were more than 325,000 visits to the ns.211.ca website (which houses an online search portal). The comprehensive human services database has information about thousands of programs and services including services for seniors, mental health and addictions, child care, recreational programs, counseling, financial assistance, or transportation.
On the days when you don’t know where to turn, 211 is here to help you help your client by quickly and promptly identifying helpful resources. The time saved in not having to chase down resource leads can now be spent on much more important work – the actual treatment plan. 211 Nova Scotia’s confidential province-wide information and referral service is free, available 24/7, and designed to help you navigate community, non-profit, and government services anywhere in Nova Scotia, whether you need help for a client, a family member or friend, or even yourself. For the past five years, Veronica Marsman, MSW, RSW, past president of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) has been a director of the non-profit association that delivers 211 service. Her role with the ABSW is to support the president and the organization by providing educational and community based programming ranging from clinical counselling to professional development. When first asked to join the 211 board of directors in 2014, Marsman said there was no doubt it would be a good fit with her 35-plus years of social service practice.
Winter 2019 | Connection 25