Guest Author - Lee S. Williams

United Way’s brilliant 2-1-1 phone number service has been lauded by Senators Dole and Clinton in a bipartisan bill to gain money to nationalize the program as one that may be most beneficial to senior citizens. The 2-1-1 number, which appears to operate much like the 9-1-1 system, is the number to call for services assisting a community in all sorts of human resources. From government housing to faith-based food banks, the system can refer a caller to any organization that the individual appears to need at any point in time.

The service has been heavily and effectively utilized during the recent Florida hurricane activity, alerting communities to the types of services people appeared to need. Thus, rather than organizing groups to answer a perceived need, the calls to the 2-1-1 number were instrumental in identifying the actual needs of communities. This, of course, translates to thousands of saved dollars nationwide.

The system currently is used in 32 different states, and the bill introduced by Senators Dole and Clinton seeks to make the service national, giving the stranded and needy in communities across the U.S., one-stop assistance to an ever growing range of human resource services in those communities.

For instance, a person unable to pay their heating bill during the winter months has only to pick up their phone, dial 2-1-1 and the caller will be connected to a service that will be able to direct them to the proper agencies that exist within their community that can provide help. Or, perhaps, for any number of reasons, there is insufficient money for food. A person could dial 2-1-1 and be directed to community based food banks, government food assistance programs or any local volunteer groups who might assist with provisions.

While such a service is obviously highly beneficial, it also has another valuable use during times of emergency. The 2-1-1 number, in operation for about five years, has proven its efficacy in getting the proper services to those affected by natural disaster (such as hurricanes or floods), naturally occurring emergencies (such as power outages) or man-made disasters (like bombings). Those needing community support are able to call the 2-1-1 number, request the necessary service and those services most requested can be logged by the call center. The community then is able to make overtures to national organizations for the correct assistance, giving a much more efficient response to the needs of it’s citizens. Not only does this provide the proper necessities, it saves money by not mobilizing agencies unnecessary. The program appears to have very little negatives.

The bill in the Senate, introduced by the bipartisan group, has been read twice and moved on to it’s appropriate committee for study. Consider taking a few moments to contact a local representative to move this legislation along. We might be old, but we’re still able to make our voices heard!