A Penn State University class is asking Schuylkill County commissioners for help in establishing a 211 system in the county to link people in need with human services resources.

Penn State Schuylkill student Zachary Lehman presented the idea, with support from his classmates in Dr. Elinor Madigan's Applied Youth Family and Community Education course.Establishing a 211 network in Schuylkill County would help senior citizens without Internet access to find out about services such as heating help or other programs, and directly link those in need with agencies or organizations that can best help them, Lehman said.The Schuylkill United Way is on board with the project, said Michelle Halabura of that organization.Commissioners Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said the system is needed in the county and that commissioners "absolutely support" the idea. In fact, they havediscussed the matter withCongressman Matthew Cartwright."We all know it comes down to funding. What do you need us to do?" Staudenmeier asked."What we would require is a little bit of patience, a little bit of time, and a little bit of funding," Lehman answered.Commissioner Gary J. Hess said the system would link people to the support they need "quickly and efficiently."Lehman said the system would cut down on thousands of non-emergency calls that take up too much of 911 dispatchers' time.He said the project would link Schuylkill County 211 calls to the Lancaster County 211 network. Emergency dispatchers would be able to transfer non-emergency calls to 211.If someone calls 211, a dispatcher would answer and ask what the situation is. The dispatcher would then connect the caller to the appropriate agency.The 211 system would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lehman said 92.6 percent of the United States is covered by 211, according to the national 211 website.Lehman said half of his class is working on ways to publicize the project while the other half is gathering data to help the United Way with information that will be given to PA211, the statewide network.