Pathways of Central Ohio asks Buckeye Lake to promote 211 and 988, cites local call volume

Kristin McCloud, executive director of Pathways Leadership Team at Pathways of Central Ohio, told Buckeye Lake Village Council on July 22 that Pathways provides information/referral (211) and crisis intervention (988) services and asked the village to help spread awareness through signage at Ryan-Braden Park and other local outlets.

"Almost everyone can use these numbers," McCloud said, noting Pathways received 109 calls from Buckeye Lake in the past year and that top caller needs included help with housing expenses, transportation and homelessness. She described 988 as the national suicide-prevention line and said Pathways also staffs recovery and youth-crisis teams that can respond locally to ages 0–24.

McCloud told council staff at Pathways are paid at minimum with an associate’s degree and that recent hiring has enabled pay increases and recruiting candidates with bachelor’s degrees. She said Pathways is supported by United Way and the Mental Health Recovery Board and urged donations to United Way to support local services. Pathways also maintains an online resource directory (pathwaysofcentralohio.org) and publishes monthly community call-volume reports.

Why it matters: Increasing awareness of 211 and 988 can connect residents to crisis services and reduce avoidable hospital visits, especially for seniors and people affected by substance use disorders. McCloud asked the village to consider visible signage and to share resource links on the village website.

Ending: Council received the presentation and no formal council motion on signage was recorded; the Pathways contact and resources were placed in the meeting record for follow-up.