United Way is advocating for Illinois 2-1-1
We need a human services call line in Illinois
2-1-1 is a non-emergency telephone number that connects people with essential community information and referral services. 2-1-1 saves time and frustration by
eliminating the need for callers to navigate a maze of agencies and help-lines. Currently 2-1-1 is not available in our area, but steps are being taken to implement it statewide in Illinois. Below common questions about 2-1-1 and the Illinois status are answered.
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an easy to remember non-emergency telephone number that connects people with essential community information and referral services. Specifically, 2-1-1 connects people to:
- Food and Shelter Resources
- Physical and Mental Health Resources
- Employment Supports
- Help for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities
- Resources for Children and Families
What is the Current Status of 2-1-1?
Today 2-1-1 reaches approximately 225 million Americans -- 80% of the U.S. population -- with 236 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 46 states.
In Illinois a pilot program was recently launched through Senate Bill 1922 (sponsored by Senator Susan Garrett) making 2-1-1 available to residents in three parts of the state including:
- Quad Cities
- Greater St. Louis area
- Central Illinois - McLean, DeWitt and Livingston Counties
What Does Senate Bill 1922 Do?
- Creates 2-1-1 as the official State dialing code for public access to human services information in Illinois
- Provides for a public-private partnership to bring 2-1-1 to the State of Illinois
- Establishes a “lead entity” to manage the use of 2-1-1 in the State of Illinois
- Directs state agencies to consult with 2-1-1 to coordinate all new relevant information numbers
- Requires an annual report of all activities to the state
What about the Elgin area and Kane County?
We have www.kanecountyguide.org in place to provide public access to local services and volunteer activities. Data in the Find Help system is already organized by AIRS taxonomy and would easily be transferred over to a 2-1-1 system.
Kane County currently does not have an information and referral program, so it would require new funding to start a call center.
Help to advocate for 2-1-1 funding
Because of the expanding reach and increasing visibility of 2-1-1, many 2-1-1 call centers lack the resources needed to build an adequate telecommunications infrastructure, provide appropriate staff levels and training, establish or maintain 24-hour-a-day service, ensure complete and accurate informational databases, and reach rural populations. The Calling for 2-1-1 Act would provide funding necessary to meet these needs.
As a result of the hardwork of 2-1-1 advocates like yourself congressional support for 2-1-1 is at an all-time high with 197 Representatives and 55 Senators currently cosponsoring the bill. This represents an increase of 53 Representatives and 6 Senators supporting the bill versus the previous session of Congress. While there is significant support for the bill, additional cosponsors are needed to ensure the House of Representatives and Senate take up the bill and pass it. Email or write your representative today using our simple form. It will only take a few moments to help advocate for this important bill.
For more information on how we're advocating for financial stability and independence in our community, click here.
