211, an Easy Number to Remember when You Are in Need of Human Services

September 11th will remain permanently etched in our memories as one of the worst disaster to hit American soil. Our country has changed as a result of this disaster. One positive change is the realization that citizens needed one phone number to call to find help. This number is 211, an easy number to remember, when you are in need of human services. Following the September 11 attacks, the Brookings Institution and Urban Institute got together and reported that in Washington, D.C., the recovery efforts were, "haphazard and disjointed." The study found that people found it difficult to connect with available resources. Hence; 211 was conceived. United Way of America and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems petitioned the FCC in 2000 to designate 211 as the official referral phone number.

Since the September 11 attacks, 211 has proven to be a valuable, centralized entry way for people. Even though only 75% of Floridans had access to 211 during the hurricane in 2004, 211 played a crucial role during that emergency. Reassuring callers, mobilizing and managing volunteers, serving as intake for service providers, this easy number was an important bridge to valuable resources.

In January, 2007 both houses of the 110th Congress re-introduced the Calling for the 2-1-1 Act, which if passed, will provide funds to designated 2-1-1 state entities. The bill authorizes $150 million for years one and two, and $100 million for years three to five. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will help implement and sustain 211 across the USA. States would be required to match the Federal dollars by 50%, in order to receive the Federal monies.

A media released on February 12, 2006 Senators Hillary Clinton, lead sponsor and invited Elizabeth Dole discussed, "the Calling for 2-1-1 Act", legislation designed to establish a Federal partnership to give more American access to 211 services. 211 was created and launched by United Way of Metropolitan of Atlanta in 1997 and in six years since the FCC designation, 211 has grown to help over 196 million people (over 65 percent of the US population, with 212 active 211 systems in 41 states. However; the life saving number is not nationwide, but all are in the planning phase. Tennessee recently implemented the 211 tool.

Cost-savings conducted by the University of Texas estimates, based on data from 11 operating 211 centers, that $130 million dollars will be saved in the first year. A savings of $1.1 billion over ten years. Think of the reduction in non-emergency 911 calls.

As a Social Worker, this centralized referral system will be instrumental in helping clients. It is frustrating and time consuming looking for a specific service to meet the needs of an individual client. Looking through the phone book and other directories, placing calls to various social networks to connect a client to the most appropriate agency is an insufficient method. All helping professions, will learn what is out there in the private, profit and non-profit array of services by utilizing this central number.

211 is funded through a private-public union, with local and state sources, including the United Way, foundations, businesses, non profits, and state and local government.

This February, 211 will be serving approximately 196 million people. (note, most of the articles use the term Americans, but not everyone is an American) This is about 65 percent of the population. 212 active 211 systems cover all or part of 41 states, including 18 states with 100 percent coverage, plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Canada has an additional 5 locations. (go to http://www.211canada.ca/). The link for the USA is http://www.211.org/. Go on to check to see if your state has implemented the program. If not, call your Senator and Representative to urge them to be part of the 211 system. You can also voice an opinion by logging into www.capwiz.com/unitedway/home. The homepage of www.211.org is user friendly, just clink on a tab. There are links at the top and bottom of the homepage that are called 211 Finder. Click on the Find your local 2-1-1/I&R Call Center>( I&R is Information and Referral) Once at the call center search site, you can enter you zip code, which is the most accurate method to find a service or select a state first then you will be ask to select a city from the drop down menu. Then step 2 you have to choose a service in the left margin, which are indicated in red.

A note of interest, the IRS estimates that 4 million people fail to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a program to help the working poor. Launched in 1975 the program was created to reduce poverty. These low wage earners are paying taxes into the system they should not being paying. An estimated four million people could be receiving the credit, but they do not apply. There are various reasons for not applying for the tax credit; individuals simply do not know about the credit and many individuals do not want to or know how to fill out the necessary forms.

There has been a campaign by communities to initiate outreach and free tax preparation to help families, who qualify, receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. As a taxpayer who files on her own, I know the cumbersome nature of tax forms. I have investigated filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit and it is not easy. The IRS is trying to make it easier and you can go on line if you have a computer to http://www.irs.gov/eitc and use the interactive EITC Assistant. If you do not have access to a computer call 1-800-829-1040 ask for publication 596.(it is 58 pages long). Shorter version ask for publication 962, p3524(both are checklists to establish eligibility) A helpful form is f8867, a form for paid preparers. Best advice is call 211 if it is your area for further assistance about claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Remember 211 is an easy number to call if you need help to contact a service that will address your specific needs. Whether a tornado has come through and you have lost your home and its contents, help with a special needs child, employment services, mental health issues, food banks, after-school programs, elderly care, job training programs, affordable housing, rent/utility assistance, preparing your taxes or the Earned Income Tax Credit, 211 is the number to call to get connected to the help you need.