Each week we will post a summary of interesting and representative 211 calls. This week, we have connections from Manitoba:

211 Service Navigators provide information on a wide variety of programs, and can find organizations and assistance in the callers’ own communities, so that they can access what they need.

A female caller in Winnipeg stated that she was interested in getting the Emergency Response Information Kit, also known as ERIK, for her mother who was an older adult. When she called 211, she asked how to get “ERIK” for her mother, and that a website had said to call 211 for this. Various websites do state to call 211 for information, but there was not a specific phone number listed to call to order the kit itself. The kit is placed on the fridge, and gives important information regarding emergency services.

The 211 navigator researched “ERIK”. It was determined that the kit can be picked up at local health centres. After asking for the postal code of the caller’s mother, the Service Navigator was able to find the closest health centre for the mother. He gave all of the contact information and exactly how to contact the health centre to request the kit.