Knowing
where to turn in a time of need can be critical. Improving access to the available
resources
UNITED WAY: WHAT WE DOin
our community is an important part of our work at United Way. That’s why we’re such
strong proponents of the 2-1-1 system.
WHAT IS 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an information and referral line that connects
people to vital social services provided by a range of nonprofit and government
agencies.
This easy-to-remember number saves time and frustration by
eliminating the need for callers to navigate a maze of agencies and help-lines.
When a person calls 2-1-1, specially-trained information and
referral personnel analyze what services are needed and provide the appropriate
resource and related information.
United Way of Greenville County brought 2-1-1 to Greenville County in January, 2009. Greenville is one of 29 counties in South Carolina where 2-1-1 is available. Nationwide, approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population has access to the system.
WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 2-1-1?
Although the services offered by 2-1-1 vary from community
to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with a wide range of information about and
referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis.
Examples: food banks and hot meals, shelters, rent
assistance, utility assistance, health care services, crisis intervention,
substance abuse intervention and rehabilitation, Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC) assistance, job training and education programs, transportation
assistance, child care, Head Start centers, services for seniors, and disaster
recovery.
WHY IS THE CALLING FOR 2-1-1 ACT NEEDED?
Although the 2-1-1 system has developed over the past decade
through United Way and state government funding, the 2-1-1 system lacks stable
long-term financing.
Because of the expanding reach and increasing visibility of
2-1-1, many 2-1-1 call centers lack the resources needed to build an adequate
telecommunications infrastructure, provide appropriate staff levels and
training, establish or maintain 24-hour-a-day service, ensure complete and
accurate informational databases, and reach rural populations.
WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?
The Calling for 2-1-1 Act would create a federal grant
program to complete implementation of a nationwide 2-1-1 system. Specifically
the bill would:
Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a
grant to each state to establish a program or fund an existing program which
will make 2-1-1 service available to all the residents of a state with phone
service.
Require a state match, meaning each participating state must
ensure that at least 50 percent of the resources of the program funded by the grant
will be derived from other sources.
Mandate that grant recipients collaborate with human service
organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to
provide information and referral to persons utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
Provide $150 million for each of first two fiscal years, $100 million
for the next four fiscal years, for a total of $700 million.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
UNITED WAY: WHAT WE DO
Contact
your representatives and tell them how important it is for all citizens
to have full access to the 2-1-1 system. Ask them to push for a vote on the act before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
