Newswire

For Immediate Release:

February 6, 2008

Governor M. Jodi Rell has proclaimed February 11, 2008, as 2-1-1 Day in the State of Connecticut.

2-1-1 is the integrated system of help via the telephone, providing a single source of information about community services, referrals to human services, and crisis intervention. It can be accessed toll-free from anywhere in Connecticut by simply dialing 2-1-1.

2-1-1 was established in 1976 as a public/private partnership of the United Way and the State of Connecticut. By the mid-eighties, it had gained national recognition as a model system. In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission designated 2-1-1 as the number to call nationally for information about health and human services. United Way of Connecticut was a leader in making the three-digit number accessible nationwide and is now involved in helping other states set up their 2-1-1 systems.

Some 2-1-1 Facts:

• Over 300,000 people in Connecticut called 2-1-1 last year.
• Help is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• 2-1-1 has multilingual call specialists and is accessible to the hearing-impaired by TDD.
• The most frequently requested services are: Financial Assistance, Food, Protective Services, Legal Assistance, Child Care, Utilities/Heat, Social Support, Housing, and Mental Health.
• 2-1-1 is fully certified in crisis intervention by the American Association of Suicidology since 1995.

2-1-1 connects people with needed human services through an easy to remember three-digit phone number, the web and a variety of community interactions. When someone connects with 2-1-1, specially trained information and referral specialists analyze what services are needed and provide the appropriate resource and related information.

2-1-1 has developed the state's most comprehensive, continually updated database of human service resources. This provides the foundation for mailing lists, and a searchable database on our web site, www.211ct.org. The collection of data on caller issues provides a valuable resource by presenting an overview of the problems facing Connecticut residents.

2-1-1 also conducts specialized services in child care, child development and disabilities, and HUSKY health insurance to help support families with children.

February 11 is also National 2-1-1 Day. As of June 2007, 2-1-1 is serving approximately 198 million Americans, approximately 65 percent of the U.S. population. By the end of 2008, 80 percent of the population is expected to have 2-1-1 access.

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For more information or to request 2-1-1 call data for a specific town or area, please contact Malia Sieve at 860.571.7207