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

Manitoba:

Being a new parent is both challenging and confusing. 211 Service Navigators know the resources that can help people to successfully make the transition to being parents.

A 211 Service Navigator took a call from a woman who was calling on behalf of her friend. She said that he was a new father who needed some support on learning how to be a parent. She was hoping there were some parenting classes/programs specifically for fathers. He was also searching for employment, and needed help with finding a job.

The Service Navigator thanked the caller for calling on behalf of her friend, and trying to help him. He provided emotional support for the caller and empathized with her feelings of concern for him and his child. He helped her brainstorm further as to what type of programs she thought would help him the most. He probed further and helped identify some suitable programs for parenting assistance. After probing, the Service Navigator realized that the caller needed some first aid training as well, so he helped the caller with a resource for that. He provided a suitable referral to help the friend with looking for employment as well.

The caller said that she was very thankful for assistance and all the information; the Service Navigator let her know that she or her friend could contact 211 any time if they needed more help in the future.