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Washington D.C., February 17, 2005 - Congressman Mike Bilirakis today introduced the Calling for 2-1-1 Act which would support states through dedicated funding and build on the ongoing efforts to make it easier to connect people with community and health services and volunteer opportunities through the nationwide implementation of 2-1-1.
The 2-1-1 Act authorizes $150 million for the first two years and $100 million for the next three years through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help implement and sustain 2-1-1 nationwide. It would provide the infrastructure to connect individuals with precise information and social services that address their individual needs, employ personal interaction to analyze callers' needs and impact their lives, and empower the nation to better respond to large-scale emergencies and homeland security needs.
"In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission assigned 2-1-1 for community information and referral purposes. Today, 2-1-1 reaches more than 100 million Americans - approximately 34 percent of the U.S. population -with call centers operational in 27 states. The goal of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act is to ensure that 100 percent of the U.S. population has access to quality community information and referral services through 2-1-1," said Bilirakis.
"Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help-lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without necessary services because they do not know where to start. 2-1-1 helps people find and give help by providing information on child care, elder care, job training, schools, volunteer opportunities, housing, and countless other community needs," said Bilirakis.
"In addition to addressing everyday needs, the vital role 2-1-1 can play in times of crises cannot be overstated. In New York City alone, after September 11, an estimated 400 hotlines were established for the various funds and services, creating a confusing network for victims and volunteers to navigate. One easy to remember phone number to assess individual and family needs and connect them with necessary resources would eliminate the confusion," concluded Bilirakis.
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