United Way Worldwide has issued a press release urging people to advocate for passage of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act. The bill, which would provide financial support to maintain and improve 2-1-1 – an easy to remember number that connects people who want to give and get help – has achieved impressive totals of 242 co-sponsors (or 56%) in the House of Representatives and 60 co-sponsors (or 60%) in the Senate.

2-1-1 connects people with live information and referral specialists who can help callers navigate complex systems of human services. In 2009, 2-1-1 provided critical connections for more than 16 million callers, including millions of individuals and families struggling through the economic downturn, or dealing with
the aftermath of natural disasters. 2-1-1 examples include access to information about job training, educational resources, housing, food assistance, senior services and caregiver resources.

Available to about 80% of the U.S. population, 2-1-1 services now rely on unstable funding streams and are subject to limitations based on the lack of a nationwide system. The Calling for 2-1-1 Act would provide $700 million over six years for states to implement and strengthen the 2-1-1 system, making it available for everyone in the country.

To help get 2-1-1 stable funding visit liveunited.org/211 and follow the quick, easy steps for generating email to their Congress Members to urge them to bring the bill up for vote before the August recess.

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