The nation cannot wait one more day for Congress to pass the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act." Every day we see communities in the news as they work to recover from floods, oil spills, attempted terrorist attacks. And now, much of the nation is preparing for what is predicted to be the worst hurricane season since 2005. At times of disaster, 2-1-1 is there to answer questions to help people manage their personal challenges. Where do you find a sandbag, water, shelter or food assistance? Call 2-1-1. Where do I start if my home and business have been destroyed? Call 2-1-1. Where can I volunteer? Call 2-1-1. It's easy, fast and effective.
2-1-1 has become a life-line for communities responding to crisis; however, 2-1-1 is also there every day to ensure people are connected with resources from job training and placement services, finding the right day care, to financial literacy training. Databases are filled with thousands of referrals and details on the best way to access them. 2-1-1 also complements and supports government programs to assist military members and their families. In this age of vast information, finding the right resource at the right time has become more challenging than ever in a time of content overload. This easy-to-remember number saves time and frustration by eliminating the need for callers to navigate a maze of agencies and help-lines by connecting the caller with a specialist who is trained to help them find the resources that will best address their situation.
The good news is that many communities have implemented 2-1-1. In 2009, 2-1-1 provided critical connections for over 16 million callers, including millions of individuals and families struggling through the economic downturn.
United Way's National Women's Leadership Council, together with 40,000 members of 125 local Women's Leadership Councils, extends its gratitude to the Federal Communications Commission, that had the foresight designate the scarce resource of the n11 number for the sole purpose of health and human service information and referral. In the decade since the ruling, 2-1-1 has been a critical resource to those in Connecticut after September 11th, to those in Florida who have faced numerous hurricanes and in Gulf Coast communities as they recover from Katrina and now, the oil spill.
In addition to these major issues; 2-1-1 also directs people looking for resources to help them face life challenges, often for the first time, to the appropriate venue. Call specialists field calls from people who have lost their job, who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness yet are underinsured, or who face foreclosure on their home - among others. 2-1-1 is a resource for everyday questions like, "how do I choose a day-care for my child?" or "are there resources that can help my elderly parents stay in their home?" or "where can I get a H1N1 vaccination?
United Way National Women's Leadership Council would like to thank of the Members of the House and the Senate who have Co -Sponsored this important bill. You are in good company, as HR 211 has 242 and S 211 has 61 Co-Sponsors. With overwhelming bi-partisan support in both Chambers, it is now time to move this bill. Let's pass the Calling For 2-1-1 Act now.
We call on Congress to do their part to pass the "Calling for 2-1-1" Act immediately. Despite the ever-growing demand for 2-1-1, limited resources remain the key barrier to sustainability and nationwide implementation. A fully realized 2-1-1 system cannot be made possible without the support of the federal government, in partnership with states and local organizations.
Kye Kilpatrick Fox is Chair of the United Way National Women's Leadership Council and President and CEO of Urban Advisory Services in San Antonio, TX
