Dear Editor:
California residents have a unique opportunity to greatly
simplify access to health and human services by supporting The
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003.
Dear Editor:
California residents have a unique opportunity to greatly simplify access to health and human services by supporting The Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003. This federal legislation, co-authored by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), helps states obtain funding to establish local 2-1-1 systems.
Many of us are hard pressed to remember a time before 9-1-1, which has saved countless lives and avoided immeasurable suffering. The time has come for 2-1-1, which provides one central phone number that connects people with necessary services such as mental health, emergency housing, childcare, drug and alcohol treatment or volunteer opportunities. In the last three years, 2-1-1 has been implemented in over 80 communities throughout the country. At present 2-1-1 reaches over 62 million Americans – approximately 23 percent of the U.S. population – allowing for increased efficiencies in access to and delivery of critical services.
United Way Silicon Valley is partnering with the Silicon Valley 2-1-1 Steering Committee chaired by community volunteer Mary Davey and the California Alliance of Information and Referral Services to bring 2-1-1 to our state. We ask that California residents do their part by contacting legislators to support this bill. Call 1-888-PASS211 (1-888-727-7211) or email www.211.org and you will be connected to your state representatives.
Don Watters, Chairman, Board of Directors United Way Silicon Valley
Submitted Monday, Feb. 9 to ed****@****ic.com
