Charitable Call Centers Seek Support from Congress

Supporters of 2-1-1 call centers that provide residents with information and referrals to health and human services, as well as volunteer opportunities, will visit Capitol Hill on Wednesday as part of United Way Capitol Hill Day. Their message: To urge passage of a bill that would provide $700-million over the next five years to help build and operate the 2-1-1 telephone service nationwide.

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act was introduced by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in January of 2007 and, if passed, would have awarded grants to each state to provide the 2-1-1 telephone service to help residents access community, health, and disaster information. Ms. Clinton reintroduced the bill in January and supporters are optimistic that this time it will garner the support it needs to pass.

“Our president wants change, he wants us to be more efficient, and 2-1-1 brings an efficient means of delivering programs and services to constituents,” says John Ohanian, chief executive officer of 2-1-1 San Diego. “The only way for 2-1-1 to do what it’s supposed to do for all citizens is to have a national, sophisticated operation, just like 9-1-1.

“Now with this economic situation, newly poor people who have been paying taxes all along are in a situation where they need assistance but they’ve never used social services before,” says Mr. Ohanian. “That’s why you need a 2-1-1.”