Elections are over and Congress is back in session for one final week before the holidays. Before new members of Congress are sworn in, in January, the “Calling for 211” bill has one last chance to get passed by the Senate during this “Lame Duck” session.

Today, the bill is stalled in committee. It needs to go before the entire Senate for a vote. YOU can help get it out of committee by calling your Senators!  Tell Senators Feinstein and Boxer that you support 211 and urge them to talk with the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Senate leadership to pass the bill.

Call or email Senators Feinstein and Boxer today!  The links below make it easy.   Please remember to begin your conversation or email with a thank you for their co-sponsorship of the bill.

To call, go to: http://capwiz.com/unitedway/callalert/index.tt?action=results&ca_type=callalert&alertid=14723126&content_dir=&external_id=&alert_active_taf=1&zip=94501

To email, go to: http://capwiz.com/unitedway/issues/alert/?alertid=14721961

211 is a critical life line for many struggling families. 211 call centers nationwide received 16 million calls in 2009; 1.6 million of those were from Californians seeking help. There has been a 40% increase in calls to 211 since the recession began, as people need help with unemployment, housing foreclosures, food and other basic needs.

Unfortunately, not all Americans or all Californians have access to 211. Currently, just 26 of California’s 58 counties have 211 service. Almost 4 million people, 10% of California’s population, do not have access to 211. In order to ensure quality 211 services for ALL Californians, the necessary statewide infrastructure must be developed. 

Your help to pass the 211 bill in the Senate brings it closer to becoming law, which ensures 211 is made available throughout California and nationally. After the bill passes in the Senate it will go to the House — one step closer to being enacted!