Triangle United Way 2-1-1 Referrals Increase 16% in 2008; United Way Seeking Federal Funds for 2-1-1 - MORRISVILLE, N.C.

Triangle United Way 2-1-1 Referrals Increase 16% in 2008; United Way Seeking Federal Funds for 2-1-1
Posted: 02-19-2009 : MORRISVILLE, N.C.

MORRISVILLE – Triangle United Way announced 2-1-1 referrals impacting Wake, Orange and Durham counties rose 16% in 2008 to 19,587. That is an increase of 3,172 referrals via the center which provides callers with information about human services for every day and once-in-a-lifetime needs.

Nationally, calls to 2-1-1 increased by 44% in 2008 – many of which were calls from people who never needed help before. Fourteen million calls were placed to 2-1-1 across the country in 2008. Triangle United Way saw a slight decrease in the number of calls for the past year although the number of referrals per call increased. Many of these calls were requests for food, utility and mortgage assistance. One in four Triangle area residents across the entire socio-economic strata receives help from programs such as 2-1-1 funded, in part, by Triangle United Way.

As a community partner, Triangle United Way understands the difficult economic time many of our friends and neighbors are facing while living or working in the Triangle region. United Way’s free resource,

2-1-1, puts people in touch with information about critical health and human services available in the community, including:

Employment Support
Basic Human Needs Resources (rent, utility, food, shelter assistance).
Support for Children, Youth and Families (childcare, camps, tutoring).
Physical and Mental Health Resources
Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities

Currently 2-1-1 is a private-public partnership and is funded through local and state sources including local United Ways and other nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and state and local government.

On February 11, United Way representatives from across America, including a contingent from North Carolina and Triangle United Way, attended “Hill Day” in Washington, D.C. The group visited a variety of legislators to discuss federal funding and expanded services for 2-1-1. Some met with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) who is co-sponsoring senate bill S. 211 which calls for federal grant funding to complete implementation of a nationwide 2-1-1 system. The group also took the opportunity to discuss the bill with Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) and to seek co-sponsorship of the bill’s counterpart in the House (H.R. 211) with Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington). Nathaniel Goetz, Director of Research and Advocacy, represented Triangle United Way.

2-1-1 is locally designed by community stakeholders who are aware of their local and state needs and resources. 2-1-1 is part of the community fabric, employs local citizens, and serves the local community. Businesses, non- profit organizations, and government officials support 2-1-1 as a way to improve the lives of the residents in their communities. As of April, 2008, 2-1-1 was available to over 222 million Americans, approximately 75% of the U.S. population, with 240 active 2-1-1 systems operating in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

To learn more about 2-1-1 log on to Triangle United Way’s website at www.unitedwaytriangle.org or call 2-1-1 direct. Mobile callers should dial (800) 831-1754.