NEED HELP?/DIAL 2-1-1!

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities.

 The implementation of 2-1-1 is being spearheaded by United Ways and comprehensive and specialized information and referral agencies in states and local communities.

 United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.

 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities.

 The implementation of 2-1-1 is being spearheaded by United Ways and comprehensive and specialized information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.

2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that connects individuals with resources in their community.  With approximately 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the United States plus scores of government agencies, finding help can be confusing and intimidating.  People who want to give help often do not know where to begin.  2-1-1 centers are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they seek.  It’s simple to remember, accessible to everyone at no cost, available 24/7, with multilingual capabilities.

2-1-1 enables people to get help or give help.  2-1-1 offers information on a broad range of services, including rent assistance, food banks, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, elderly care, financial literacy, and job training programs.  Specialists at 2-1-1 centers faciliate thousands of volunteer hours and direct material donors to locations where their gifts may be most needed and appropriate.  One call center’s referrals facilitated nearly 65,000 volunteer staff hours worth over $1 million.

2-1-1 benefits the nation.  The current manner in which our nation links people with the services they need is confusing, inefficient, and expensive.  2-1-1 simplifies the process and connects people with community services in an efficient and cost-effective way.  The University of Texas at Austin’s cost/benefit analysis of a national 2-1-1 system estimates a net value to society approaching $130 million in the first year alone, and a conservative estimate of $1.1 billion over ten years.  A national 2-1-1 system produces cost savings for taxpayers, employers, and government.

Supporting 2-1-1 benefits your community.  2-1-1 is locally designed by community stakeholders, who are aware of their local and state needs and resources.  2-1-1 is part of the community fabric, employs local citizens, and serves the local community.  Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government officials all support 2-1-1 as a way to improve the lives of the residents in their communities.  Currently, 2-1-1 is available to over 163 million Americans (55 percent of the U.S. population), with 187 active 2-1-1 systems in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
2-1-1 enhances public safety and crisis recovery efforts.  The nation is prepared to make considerable investments in public safety and disaster relief infrastructure and capacity in response to events of natural or human agency.  From hurricanes and floods to bio-terrorism, 2-1-1 call centers that already exist in communities, operating 24/7, are the logical platform for building emergency response communication capacity.  In the wake of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hundreds of thousands of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama residents called 2-1-1 with a multitude of needs, including shelter, transportation, medical, food and water, construction materials, mental health, and questions about the availability of and application process for federal, state, and nonprofit assistance.  9-1-1 referred non-emergency calls to 2-1-1, freeing up 9-1-1 operators for life-and-death situations. 

2-1-1 is a private-public partnership.  2-1-1 is funded through local and state sources including local United Ways and other nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and state and local government.  The Calling for 2-1-1 Act seeks to authorize federal funding of $150 million for years one and two, and $100 million for years three through five through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help implement and sustain 2-1-1 nationwide.  States would be required to provide a one-to-one match.

  For more information go to 211ms.com                                                                                                                                                                               

For assistance with:

• Emergency Food and Clothing
• Utility and Rent assistance
• Shelter/Housing
• Vision and Gearing Services
• Health and Dental Care
• Youth Services
• Support Groups/Counseling
• Job Services
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Ways to Donate and much more….