Tennessee 211

2-1-1 In the News

The Islander (Grand Isle, Vermont)
February 20, 2007

Why Bring 2-1-1 to My Community?

A Message to Community Leaders

The National 2-1-1 Initiative was launched in July 2000 when United Way of America successfully petitioned the FCC to assign 2-1-1 as the universal telephone number for information and referral services. At the time, 2-1-1 was seen largely as a means through which those in need would more easily access a human-services system that is often disjointed and whose providers do not typically share resources or information.

In the seven years since the FCC formally assigned the number, it has become clear to creative citizens, community leaders, funders and government officials that 2-1-1, now available to over 65% of Americans, is a powerful tool that innovative communities can leverage to address their specific needs.

Listen to just a few of the community leaders who have harnessed 2-1-1's promise.

"Over 30 states have a 2-1-1 presence, but until 100% of North Carolina and 100 % of the country is involved, we haven’t finished our job." – U.S. Senator Richard Burr, North Carolina.

When the national "Calling for 2-1-1 Act" was first introduced in 2003, Senator Burr, then Congressman Burr, was one of four pioneers that took to the podium to extol 2-1-1‘s promise as a tool for community change and a resource for emergency preparedness. He has steadfastly supported it ever since, and remains a sponsor of the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act," which, if passed, will support sustainability efforts of states’ 2-1-1 entities.

"When you call 2-1-1, hope answers." – U.s Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-2)

When 2-1-1 first appeared on the official state legislature docket in March of 2003, Representative Larsen was one of the many legislators who agreed that, not only would 2-1-1 "benefit the citizens of Washington by providing easier access to available... services," but that with limited state resources available, 2-1-1 would ultimately save money by providing a needed service that otherwise might have required the creation of a new state office. With 2-1-1 now available to 60% of the state’s citizens, the legislature recently extended to 2-1-1 the ultimate nod: a $2.5 million FY 2007 appropriation.

"The more we learn about 2-1-1, the more we see the connections with our state’s goals" – Lisa Pentony, Risk Communication Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Public Health.

Lisa Pentony’s job as risk communication coordinator for the state of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Health requires that she assess and evaluate the state’s capacities, needs and systems and make recommendations regarding the state’s communication strategies for achieving community preparedness. In that capacity, she has come to learn much about 2-1-1's potential role in emergency preparedness, and 2-1-1 figures prominently in the state’s 2005-2006 plans to achieve maximum readiness in both response and recovery.

"I support 2-1-1 as a powerful social innovation that will positively impact the health of our workforce." – Anthony Early Jr., Chairman and CEO, DTE Energy.

In awarding $250,000 over a three-year period to United Way 2-1-1 of Southeastern Michigan, DTE Energy Chairman and CEO was thinking both pragmatically and compassionately. His long-term view of 2-1-1 is recognition that an ongoing support system for employees needing assistance in various aspects of their lives ultimately reduces the employee stress, decreases absenteeism, and saves employees the time of wading through a difficult to navigate human services system.

"One of our six basic values here at AmSouth is ‘Improve Someone’s Life,’ and I think this value is consistent with AmSouth’s support of 2-1-1." – Keith Herron, AmSouth’s Middle Tennessee Executive.

When AmSouth decided to designate $100,000 of their corporate gift to United Way 2-1-1 of Nashville for a period of three years, they knew they were investing in more than the promise of 2-1-1. As 2-1-1's lead corporate sponsor in Middle Tennessee, AmSouth considers the bank’s support an important part of it’s commitment to the community: "We live these values everyday at work and in our community. Part of being ‘The Relationship People’ is caring for the communities we serve," Keith Herron says. In fact, when Metro Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell and other community leaders gathered to place the first 2-1-1 call on August 24, 2004, they convened – appropriately – at AmSouth Center.

To learn more about how 2-1-1 can help your community address its needs, contact your local United Way representative.

(http://www.champlainislander.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2712&Itemid=51)

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	2-1-1 In the News The Islander (Grand Isle, Vermont) February 20, 2007 Why Bring 2-1-1 to My Community? A Message to Community Leaders The National 2-1-1 Initiative was launched in July 2000 when United Way of America successfully petitioned the FCC to assign 2-1-1 as the universal telephone number for information and referral services. At the time, 2-1-1 was seen largely as a means through which those in need would more easily access a human-services system that is often disjointed and whose providers do not typically share resources or information. In the seven years since the FCC formally assigned the number, it has become clear to creative citizens, community leaders, funders and government officials that 2-1-1, now available to over 65% of Americans, is a powerful tool that innovative communities can leverage to address their specific needs. Listen to just a few of the community leaders who have harnessed 2-1-1's promise. "Over 30 states have a 2-1-1 presence, but until 100% of North Carolina and 100 % of the country is involved, we haven’t finished our job." – U.S. Senator Richard Burr, North Carolina. When the national "Calling for 2-1-1 Act" was first introduced in 2003, Senator Burr, then Congressman Burr, was one of four pioneers that took to the podium to extol 2-1-1‘s promise as a tool for community change and a resource for emergency preparedness. He has steadfastly supported it ever since, and remains a sponsor of the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act," which, if passed, will support sustainability efforts of states’ 2-1-1 entities. "When you call 2-1-1, hope answers." – U.s Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-2) When 2-1-1 first appeared on the official state legislature docket in March of 2003, Representative Larsen was one of the many legislators who agreed that, not only would 2-1-1 "benefit the citizens of Washington by providing easier access to available... services," but that with limited state resources available, 2-1-1 would ultimately save money by providing a needed service that otherwise might have required the creation of a new state office. With 2-1-1 now available to 60% of the state’s citizens, the legislature recently extended to 2-1-1 the ultimate nod: a $2.5 million FY 2007 appropriation. "The more we learn about 2-1-1, the more we see the connections with our state’s goals" – Lisa Pentony, Risk Communication Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Public Health. Lisa Pentony’s job as risk communication coordinator for the state of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Health requires that she assess and evaluate the state’s capacities, needs and systems and make recommendations regarding the state’s communication strategies for achieving community preparedness. In that capacity, she has come to learn much about 2-1-1's potential role in emergency preparedness, and 2-1-1 figures prominently in the state’s 2005-2006 plans to achieve maximum readiness in both response and recovery. "I support 2-1-1 as a powerful social innovation that will positively impact the health of our workforce." – Anthony Early Jr., Chairman and CEO, DTE Energy. In awarding $250,000 over a three-year period to United Way 2-1-1 of Southeastern Michigan, DTE Energy Chairman and CEO was thinking both pragmatically and compassionately. His long-term view of 2-1-1 is recognition that an ongoing support system for employees needing assistance in various aspects of their lives ultimately reduces the employee stress, decreases absenteeism, and saves employees the time of wading through a difficult to navigate human services system. "One of our six basic values here at AmSouth is ‘Improve Someone’s Life,’ and I think this value is consistent with AmSouth’s support of 2-1-1." – Keith Herron, AmSouth’s Middle Tennessee Executive. When AmSouth decided to designate $100,000 of their corporate gift to United Way 2-1-1 of Nashville for a period of three years, they knew they were investing in more than the promise of 2-1-1. As 2-1-1's lead corporate sponsor in Middle Tennessee, AmSouth considers the bank’s support an important part of it’s commitment to the community: "We live these values everyday at work and in our community. Part of being ‘The Relationship People’ is caring for the communities we serve," Keith Herron says. In fact, when Metro Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell and other community leaders gathered to place the first 2-1-1 call on August 24, 2004, they convened – appropriately – at AmSouth Center. To learn more about how 2-1-1 can help your community address its needs, contact your local United Way representative. (http://www.champlainislander.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2712&Itemid=51) top