“National Information and Referral Services Day” aims to raise public awareness and increase utilization of information and referral services.  For example,  calling 2-1-1 in many communities allows individuals who need critical health and human services, including food, shelter, health care, or counseling, to be referred to the appropriate community resource. 

Today is an affirmation that the U.S. Senate:

• expresses support for the designation of November 16, 2011, as National Information and Referral Services Day—
• to raise public awareness about the existence and importance of information and referral services available to all people in the United States; and
• to more effectively target those services to reach individuals most in need
• encourages activities in communities across the United States involving schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other entities to ensure information and referral services are part of everyday life in addition to emergency preparedness programs; and
• reaffirms the importance of clear and consistent professional standards to govern every aspect of quality information and referral services.

Interested to see how the 2-1-1 call center operates in the Nebraska/Southwest Iowa area?  Take a look at the short video below: