Transcript Dial 2-1-1 for Information & Referral”
“Dial 2-1-1 for Information & Referral”
Updated October 2007
Presenter
Barbara Bernstein Executive Director Eden I&R, Inc .
570 B Street Hayward, CA 94541 510-537-2710
What is 2-1-1?
A free, accessible, 3 digit telephone number that enables everyone to access the vital community services that they need
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is to Critical Social Services
what
9-1-1 is to Emergency Services
Help, my house is on fire !
Police/Fire/ Medical Emergency 9-1-1 Who do you call?
My car was broken into!
I need a day program for my aging parent Police Non Emergency 3-1-1 2-1-1 My child has a drinking problem Fire Department Police Or Sheriff Area Agency on Aging Teen Al Anon
Who Provides 2-1-1 Services?
2-1-1 service providers are local comprehensive Information and Referral Services that serve the entire population and operate according to national professional standards.
In Alameda County, Eden I&R, Inc. has been designated by the CPUC to be the county’s 2-1-1 provider.
What is Information & Referral?
People call an I&R agency for help accessing all kinds of health and human services including family support, disability services, legal referrals, consumer assistance, and counseling.
The majority of calls to a comprehensive I&R are for basic life needs: food, shelter, and financial assistance.
Information & Referral, continued
I&R calls most often require an in-depth human services assessment and referral plan linking people to one or multiple service providers.
Trained Information and Referral Specialists utilize specialized human service skills to assist callers in an average of 3-6 minutes.
Currently, callers get lost in the maze I can’t pay my rent My child is on drugs I want to kill myself I need to find childcare I want to volunteer We can’t help with that Please call back when we’re open I’ll try to transfer you to an agency who can help We only do senior daycare Why did you call us?
I don’t know, please hold .
We don’t serve your county.
I’m not sure who you can call.
After Implementation of 2-1-1 I can’t pay my rent My child is on drugs I want to kill myself I need to find childcare I want to volunteer 2-1-1, how may I help you?
2-1-1
Yes, I can connect you with someone who can help… Drug Rehabilitation Center Volunteer Center Rental Assistance Program Child Care Resource And Referral Suicide Prevention Hotline
2-1-1 Saves Money
Cost/benefit analyses done in Texas and Nebraska show that 2-1-1 saves money.
$1.25 Million saved in reduced nursing care placements.
$3.60 Million saved in reduced redundant I&R calls.
$220,000 saved in reduced non-emergency 9-1-1 calls. According to the California Department of Justice, 45% of 9-1-1 calls are for non-emergencies . Projections conclude a $1.1 billion net value savings nationwide over the next 10 years
.
2-1-1 Saves Resources in the Health and Human Services System
2-1-1 supports Public Education & Information Campaigns – No need to create a new 1-800 number, 2-1-1 is ready to help.
In Toronto during the SARS scare an 800 number was created yet most callers chose to call 2-1-1.
Benefits for Users
One call gives access to resources across the community.
2-1-1 is there 24 hours/7 days a week in multiple languages.
2-1-1 is free and confidential.
2-1-1 is fast and easy; no more wrong numbers.
It’s
Simple It’s 2-1-1!
Benefits for Service Providers
Agencies currently receive many calls that belong elsewhere. 2-1-1 frees agencies to concentrate on their core competencies.
2-1-1 is the fastest, easiest referral for a busy staff member to make.
2-1-1 refers callers to appropriate local service providers including specialized I&R’s like Senior I&A’s and Childcare R&R’s.
Benefits for Businesses & Communities
Complements corporate Employee Assistance Programs.
Increases employee productivity.
Reduces on the job injuries.
Reduces employee absences.
Reduces crime in the workplace and throughout the community at large.
2-1 1’s Role after A Disaster
2-1-1 is an easy way for people to get essential information following a natural disaster or terrorist attack .
In Florida after Hurricane Charley 2-1-1 averaged 200 calls/hour; 5,000 calls/day.
In Monroe LA after Hurricane Katrina 211 received 4,000 to 6,000 calls daily.
September 11th Aftermath
In Connecticut, where 2-1-1 has been operational since 1998:
95% of calls for non-emergency information such as mental health counseling, volunteering, and donations went to 2-1-1 rather than an 800 number established for the same purpose.
September 11th Aftermath
In New York, where 2-1-1 service has not been implemented:
Over 400 emergency hot line numbers were activated leading to confusion and frustration.
After several months, when those hot lines closed, callers were left without a number to call for assistance.
2-1-1 Initiative
The Alliance of Information & Referral Systems and United Way of America formed the original National 2-1-1 Coalition that secured FCC designation of 2-1-1 for I&R in July, 2000.
National 2-1-1Coalition Members
Administration on Aging
Alliance of Information & Referral Systems
American Library Association
American Association of Suicidology
American Red Cross
Contact USA
National Association of Childcare Resource &Referral Agencies
National Coalition, continued
National Association of Community Action Agencies
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
National Association of State Units on Aging
National Information Center for Children & Youth with Disabilities
National Mental Health Association
Points of Light Foundation
United Way of America
Current 2-1-1 Sites
The first 2-1-1 service was begun in 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia.
INFOLINE of Connecticut followed in 1998.
There are currently over 206 operational 2-1-1 Centers in 41 states (plus Washinton DC & Puerto Rico) serving over 198 million people.
2-1-1 serves more than 198 million Americans (over 65% of the U.S. Population) 206 active 2-1-1 systems in 41 states ( as of October 2007)
Map October 2006
Status of 2-1-1 in California
CAIRS and the Statewide 2-1-1 Steering Committee submitted a 2-1-1 Petition to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in August, 2001.
The CPUC issued a Rule governing implementation of 2-1-1 on February 13 th , 2003.
Eleven California counties have launched 2-1-1 services.
On 7/1/07 Eden I&R launched Alameda County’s 2-1-1 service.
CPUC Standards for 2-1-1
• • • • • • • •
There will be one 2-1-1 “system” per county that will...
provide service in accordance with the professional standards of information & referral; have a local presence and a local commitment; demonstrate significant support of local stakeholders; offer comprehensive 24-hour, multilingual services; provide effective access to people with disabilities; have the capacity and willingness to coordinate with local and state emergency/disaster service systems; use common resource information standards; collect and share common service need/usage and client demographic data.
Eden I&R’s 2-1-1 Role
Eden I&R was designated by the CPUC as the first Northern California 2-1-1 provider on December 4, 2003.
As a Board member of CAIRS, Eden I&R has assisted in the launch of 2-1-1 services throughout California.
Alameda County 2-1-1 was in “test mode” from 11/06 thru 6/07; with an official launch date of 7/1/07.
Eden I&R’s 2-1-1 Role Continued
Eden I&R has more than 31 years of experience serving persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
Eden I&R participates in disaster preparedness through CARD (Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disaster) and the Emergency Manager’s Association.
Eden I&R’s 2-1-1 Role Continued
Multicultural, multilingual staff assess callers needs and give referrals from an information base of over 1350 human service programs
As a past provider of 9-1-1 statewide translation services, Eden I&R has experience in operating a critical service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serving over 330,000 callers annually.
Funding 2-1-1
On a federal level, bipartisan Senate and House legislators co-sponsored the “Calling for 2-1-1 Act”(S211; HR896) to authorize $150 Million for nationwide 2-1-1 implementation.
CAIRS is actively building support at the state legislative level for sustainable funding (projected to occur in 2-3 years).
2-1-1 Funding in California
The following have funded initial statewide planning activities including technical and legal consulting for the CPUC filing:
The California Endowment
The Community Technology Foundation of California (Bay Area)
The Julius Sumner Miller Foundation
The Weingart Foundation
Funding 2-1-1
2-1-1 is not currently supported by a phone surcharge like 9-1-1 and the California Relay Service (7-1-1).
A direct telephone surcharge may be possible in the future when 2-1-1 has demonstrated its value across the State.
A check-off donation on State Income Tax Forms is being considered.
2-1-1 Funding on the Local Level
I&R’s have traditionally been funded by multiple funders.
Counties throughout California have developed funding partnerships with stakeholders including local government, the business community, and charitable foundations.
The funding picture for each county is unique.
Eden I&R’s 2-1-1 Advisory Board
Chambers of Commerce
Community Based Organizations
Corporations
Criminal Justice System
Disaster Relief Organizations
Educational System
Elected Officials
Private and Public Foundations
Local 2-1-1 Funding Sources
Eden I&R has obtained planning and start-up funding from:
United Way of the Bay Area, Walter and Elise Haas Fund, SF Foundation, First 5/Every Child Counts, Community Technology Foundation
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Kaiser Permanente, Eden Township Healthcare District, KB Home, and Safeway
In-Kind: AT&T Yellow Pages, East Bay Business Times
Alameda County 2-1-1 Funding
Alameda County’s Fair & Equitable 2-1-1 Funding Partnership Plan includes:
$500,000
$500,000
$300,000 County Departments 14 Cities ( by % of population ) Foundations/Corporations
2-1-1 Alameda County
Based upon nationwide 2-1-1 data, Alameda County’s 2-1-1 service will:
Handle over 140,000 calls annually (1 in 10 residents are calling local 2-1-1 providers)
Provide 9-1-1 Dispatchers with reduced non emergency calls, and the ability to transfer inappropriate 9-1-1 calls more quickly and efficiently.
2-1-1
Helps everyone in the community, while targeting the most at-risk populations including: older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, non-English speakers, families and low-income people.
Information Resources
Barbara Bernstein, Eden I&R, Inc., Executive Director
Telephone:
E-mail: (510) 537-2710 [email protected]
Agency: www.edenir.org Statewide 2-1-1: National 2-1-1: www.cairs.org
www.211.org