What is 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that can be used to connect people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. The implementation of 2-1-1 is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way Worldwide (UWW) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.
Why it is important? Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services. They are looking for training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent, addiction prevention programs for their teenage children, affordable housing options, support groups and ways of becoming part of their community.
2-1-1 allows people to give help and to get help.
What are the cost/benefits? In the first year alone, the national cost/benefit of 2-1-1 approached $130 million, and a conservative estimate of $1.1 billion over ten years.
Some examples of cost savings for taxpayers, employers and government:
■ reduction of non-emergency calls to 9-1-1
■ enhanced efficiencies due to decrease in misdirected calls to state, local and nonprofit agencies.
■ enhanced consumer awareness of income-generating services such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
■ an efficient communications infrastructure through which to quickly disseminate public health and crisis preparedness information or changes in federal, state or local programs
■ increased efficiencies in planning processes due to instant data collection capabilities available through the 2-1-1 database
■ increased cost saving to nonprofits beacause of enhanced awareness of and referrals to agencies needing volunteer assistance or donations
■ the potential businesses to save through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity
For additional information, visit United Way Worldwide's website at www.liveunited.org/211/.
