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Background
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.
Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services - from finding an after-school program to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help-lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary services because they do not know where to start. 2-1-1 helps people find and give help.
While services that are offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:
- Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
- Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children's Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
- Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.
- Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.
- Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
- Volunteer Opportunities and Donations.
Agency Survey Form
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Benefits to 2-1-1 Users:
- One call gives you access to resources across your community. 2-1-1 is efficient, fast and easy to use.
- No more wrong numbers; no more wasted time trying to find the right resource(s).
- 2-1-1 is a confidential call; most often the name of the caller is not even taken.
- 2-1-1 maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system; saving that vital community resource for life and death emergencies.
- 24-hour/7 day a week availability; 2-1-1 is always there for you.
- 2-1-1 is an easy way to find or give help in your community.
Community Benefits:
- 2-1-1 strengthens your community by uniting the people in your area who want to help with those who need help.
- There are almost 900,000 non-profit organizations in the United States plus scores of government agencies. People looking for assistance have trouble navigating a complicated web of health and human service programs. Likewise, people who want to help often do not know where to begin.
- 2-1-1 is a useful planning tool. Based on aggregate data about the types of calls that the 2-1-1 Center receives, communities are in a better position to anticipate demand for services and mobilize resources to meet changing needs.
- 2-1-1 touches the lives of every person in the community, and whether you are in a situation where you need help or find yourself later in a situation to give help, 2-1-1 is always there for you.
Benefits as Crisis Tool:
- 2-1-1 is a critical information system, which is necessary prior to, during and after a community crisis such as an attack, flood, fire, or other local or national tragedy. Prior to a community crisis, it is critical that an information system is in place that will respond to the crisis at a moment's notice.
- 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs.
- Once 2-1-1 is implemented, it maintains a permanent presence in the community. As a result, people can find the help they need whether their needs arise a week or several years after the crisis event.
Cost Savings of 2-1-1
- United Way of America estimates that a fully realized 2-1-1 system that meets national standards will cost approximately $1.00 - $1.50 per capita.
- The University of Nebraska's Public Policy Center estimates that a fully realized 2-1-1 system in Nebraska will bring $7.4 million in benefits to the state of Nebraska with a population of 1.7 million.
- The benefits of 2-1-1 systems increase over time, as new, innovative uses are employed for the number. For example, Connecticut's 2-1-1 system manages the State of Connecticut's QuitLine, a tobacco use cessation hotline. To do this they hired one program manager and trained 2-1-1 call specialists on how to handle QuitLine specific calls. It is estimated that without the 2-1-1 partnership the QuitLine would have needed to establish a call center and hire five to seven people to handle the calls.
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