United Way is creating database of help agencies

The Daily Inter Lake

The United Way is asking all Northwest Montana agencies and programs that help meet basic needs for people to participate in the Montana Information and Referral Database Project, a statewide computerized directory of human services assistance.

The goal of the project is to connect people who need help with the agencies that can help. The statewide database of all community services is scheduled to be available by July. The database will support 211 call centers in Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula to link people with services statewide.

Agencies or programs that help meet basic human needs such as food, clothing and rental assistance are asked to be part of the database project. Services will include referrals to counselors and a variety of agencies.

The database will be accessible to all health and human services agencies.

Agencies are asked to register their services by Feb. 28. Agencies and their individual services can register online at www.unitedwayatwork.org. Agencies also can call the United Way at 752-7266 in the greater Kalispell area or toll-free 888-720-7266, send a fax to 755-7266, and e-mail unitedwayhelpshere@centurytel.net. The mailing address is Montana Database Project, P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.

The project is designed to be a statewide tool that can be used to help individuals and families throughout Montana. A variety of government and private agencies are cooperating to get the system operational by summer.