GOOD NEWS: Trident United Way’s 2-1-1 Hotline evolves

The United Way Association of South Carolina (UWASC) will assume management of the area’s 2-1-1 Hotline later this month in a new strategic partnership with the Trident United Way that will allow for better services and use of real-time data for improvement.

“To the vast majority of people who call 2-1-1, there will be no difference in the services they receive, which include referrals to direct service providers, crisis counseling and local information about getting help,” shares Amanda Lawrence, vice president of community impact at Trident United Way (TUW). “We see this is as an opportunity to maintain a high quality service, strengthen our ties with our state association, gain access to additional data and successfully align in this area as we have with UWASC on public policy.”

As part of the partnership, UWASC will station two full-time positions, an outreach specialist and data specialist, at TUW to funnel local, accurate and timely information into the referral database, according to a press release. In addition to the benefits of technology, the partnership provides increased access to data that TUW and its partners may use to aid in community decision-making and cost savings efforts.

Across the state, 26 of 27 other United Ways use the state association as a Hotline service partner.

Also in recent Good News:

Bike path to honor Shirley. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and city council will dedicate the Ashley River Road bike path and pedestrian path in honor of former city councilman Larry Shirley at 2:30 p.m. May 5. The ceremony will be at the entrance of Shadowmoss subdivision at Burnished Wood Lane beside S.C. Highway 61. Congratulations, Larry!

Five June Country concerts. WEZL, the town of Mount Pleasant and Colonial Life will present five Tuesday night concerts with some of Nashville’s hottest stars on each Tuesday in June. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the Party in the Park at Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park with artists taking the stage an hour later. On tap this year:

• June 2: Dan + Shay
• June 9: John King opens for Kelsea Ballerini.
• June 16: Mo Pitney opens for Canaan Smith.
• June 23: “The Voice” winner Craig Wayne Boyd opens for Chase Bryant.
• June 30: Mickey Guyton opens for Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.

County wins EMS award. Hats off to Charleston County EMS, which has received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline^® EMS Gold Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. The gold level is the highest awarded by AHA.

Obama nominates Matthew to lead cultural support agency. President Obama on March 10 nominated Charleston native and resident Kathryn “Kit” Matthew to be director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal agency that supports the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums to advance lifelong learning and promote cultural and civic engagement.  The agency, which has about five dozen employees, administers a budget that was $225 million in 2013.

Matthew

The local media missed this significant pat on the back for Matthew, a former director of philanthropy of the Historic Charleston Foundation. She is currently undergoing the process of being confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Matthew, who currently is chief science educator at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, has a distinguished resume with varied, professional experiences in the public, nonprofit and private sectors.

• Read more here in a special Charleston Currents brief.

“She has amassed a great deal of knowledge about the breadth and diversity of the museum field,” said Ford W. Bell, president of the American Alliance of Museum. “Her roles have included director, curator, educator, exhibit developer, fundraiser, volunteer, board member, and in strategic communications and collections management, all of which will be exceedingly valuable as she works to support museums in their educational and public service roles.” Read more.

Matthew received a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband, George Stevens, live in Charleston.