Subject: [NEXTEL-1] CBS 4 Helps the United Way Launch 2-1-1

From: [email-masked]
Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2003 04:30:18 -0400

http://news4colorado.com

CBS 4 Helps the United Way Launch 2-1-1
Oct 3, 2003 2:07 pm US/Mountain

2-1-1 is about to be online in Denver. The United Way is launching the 3-digit line on Oct. 6.
It allows Denver metro callers to simply dial 3-digits, 2-1-1, to get access to information and referrals about the area's more than 3,000 social services.
"I would probably tell you that this is the first social innovation of the 21st century," said United Way Executive Vice President Richard Audsley, referring to the convenience of having information about thousands of services in one place, as well as the power of having a well-trained call agent who can navigate the requirements of those services and point people in need in the right direction.
Often times, people don't know where to go to get help, or that help is even available.

Now Denver metro area residents can turn to 2-1-1 to find resources of basic human needs, like shelter or food. 2-1-1 agents are also trained to help people find physical and mental health resources, as well as employment help, senior programs and childcare services. You can also call 2-1-1 if you want to find referrals for volunteering or making donations.
2-1-1 is currently operating in 22 states across the nation. By 2005, it will be operating statewide in Colorado. Call centers are already online in Mesa, Larimer and Weld counties, and now the Denver metro area. The call center is open from 8 a.m.  to 8 p.m. United Way has a comprehensive plan to open more call centers throughout the state.
2-1-1 service is free and confidential. Within the 8 county mile-high area, you should be able to access 2-1-1 on any land line phone. Some businesses with internal phone systems may have to get their phone administrator to program the line into their system. Cell phone providers, AT&T Wireless, Qwest Wireless, T-Mobile, and Nextel have agreed to make 2-1-1 a free cell phone call. The United Way is working to bring all cell phone companies on board in the future. And you can call 2-1-1 from Qwest pay phones but it is not a free call.
The United Way is also working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the city about how 2-1-1 can and will work with 9-1-1. 2-1-1 is designed to handle all the non-emergency community related calls that currently clog the 9-1-1 system. The City of Denver and United Way partnership will help educate callers to make the right call: 9-1-1 for emergency help, 2-1-1 for non-emergency help.

2-1-1 Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human service I&R. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based organizations. 2-1-1 makes it possible for people in need to navigate the complex and ever-growing maze of human services' agencies and programs. By making services easier to access, 2-1-1 encourages prevention and fosters self-sufficiency.
Why is there a need for 2-1-1? There are hundreds of toll free numbers in this community, and if you don't have the number in front of you, how do you know where to call? I&R providers began looking for an answer to this problem many years ago. The solution is to have one easy-to-remember number that is universal, that everyone knows to call if they need non-emergency help. The public can call to get help, volunteer or make a meaningful donation.

What does 2-1-1 do? 2-1-1 provides callers in need with information about and referrals to human services such as:
Basic Human Needs Resources: 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.
Work 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.  Children, Youth and Family Supports: child care, after-school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
Volunteer opportunities and donations.

Where is 2-1-1? The 2-1-1 abbreviated dialing code for human services I&R in Colorado is currently available in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa and Weld County.
2-1-1 is also available or being implemented in Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. For more information on state-by-state implementation, please visit www.211.org.
What does the FCC ruling mean? On July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 2-1-1 for human services I&R nationwide.
The FCC ruling states: "We find that the I&R petitioners have demonstrated sufficient public benefits to justify use of a scarce public resource and therefore assign 2-1-1 to be used for access to community I&R services."
Each state public utility or public service commission is now charged with determining who should be awarded the number in that state and how it will be implemented.
How will 2-1-1 work with 911? 2-1-1 is meant to complement 911 by filling the gap between emergencies and non-emergency requests for items like rent assistance, shelter, food, child care, and more.
2-1-1 Beginnings The nation's first 2-1-1 service was created in 1997 in metropolitan Atlanta. The Federal Communications Commission subsequently reserved 2-1-1 for access to community health and human service information in 2000. Its goal was to ensure that citizens would be able to call one place in the community for help.
Today, 2-1-1 is available in 22 states and reaches more than 62 million Americans - just over 23 percent of the population. Please visit 211.org to learn more about national history.

http://news4colorado.com/localnews/local_story_276161145.html/resources_storyPrintableView

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