More than one million Nebraskans, and all Iowans, can dial it. Nationwide, about 65% of Americans currently have access to it. Now, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives are considering measures that would make dialing "2-1-1" a reality for all Americans.

WHAT IS IT?

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. Whether a caller is looking for day services for an elderly relative, after school programs for kids, or low-cost counseling, 2-1-1 is the place to call to find available services close to home. Nebraska’s 2-1-1 call center, hosted by United Way of the Midlands, also serves eight counties in southwest Iowa. The Federal Communications Commission authorized use of the number, and communities across the country, including ours, are building 2-1-1 coalitions and call centers.

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act  would authorize $600 million over six years to assist states with implementing and sustaining 2-1-1 statewide. States would have to provide a 50 percent match to the grant, which could come from current 2-1-1 funding in the community, such as United Way funding, funding through other non-profits, state and local government, foundations and businesses. Funding would be administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Please let your representatives in the House and Senate know your opinion on the 2-1-1 act.

MORE BACKGROUND:

In February 2007 in Washington, D.C., members of Congress and representatives of United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS) celebrated national 2-1-1 Day and the introduction of the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act" (HR 211 /S 211). The news conference was held in the U.S. Capitol.

Speakers included Jamie Moore, vice president for Volunteer and Community Services for United Way of the Midlands. Moore oversees Nebraska’s only 2-1-1 call center, located at United Way of the Midlands in Omaha. She is also the national board chair for AIRS.

Moore was joined by Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way of America (UWA) and Rodney Slater, Board Chair of UWA. Two of the bills' co-sponsored were also on hand: Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA). Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and 119 other legislators have signed on in widespread bipartisan support of the bills, including Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) and Rep. Lee Terry (R) of Nebraska, and Sen. Tom Harkin (D) and Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) of Iowa.

Nebraska’s 2-1-1 effort is a public-private partnership that includes Nebraska United Ways, county and regional health departments, the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Nebraska Public Service Commission is the governing body.

2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a free call. Some cell phone companies and private businesses do not currently provide access to 2-1-1, but callers can reach the center by dialing (402) 444-6666.

Who can dial Omaha's 2-1-1 Call Center?  

1.3 million callers in these Nebraska counties: Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, Lancaster, Adams, Antelope, Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cedar, Cherry, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dawes, Dawson, Dixon, Fillmore, Franklin, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Holt, Howard, Jefferson, Kearney, Keya Paha, Knox, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Nuckolls, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Rock, Saline, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Seward, Sheridan, Sioux, Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and York.

Eight counties in southwest Iowa are also included in the 2-1-1 network (Pottawattamie, Harrison, Mills, Shelby, Cass, Montgomery, Fremont and Page).