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FEBRUARY 11 MARKS ANNIVERSARY FOR 2-1-1
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2/8/2006 2:36:34 PM
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Kearney, NE– This month, 2-1-1 of the Buffalo County region celebrates its first anniversary as a provider of community, volunteer and human service information referrals. With the support of four area United Ways, Cozad United Way, Gothenburg United Way, Lexington United Way and United Way of the Kearney Area, and the Two Rivers Public Health Department, 2-1-1 has been available for use in seven counties of South Central Nebraska since February 11, including Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps Counties.
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember three-digit dialing system comparable to 9-1-1 or 4-1-1. The service enables callers to connect with needed services, such as community organizations, government agencies or volunteer opportunities. The 2-1-1 number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides multilingual access.
Since its implementation 2-1-1 has received 608 calls from Buffalo, Franklin, Dawson, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps Counties. Of those calls, 317 programs were referred and 622 general referrals were made. Here in Buffalo County, assistance was given most often in regard to financial assistance, information referrals, health or medical issues or housing questions.
Spearheaded by the United Way of America and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 builds America’s capacity to strengthen the way people access help and engage in civic life. Today, 2-1-1 reaches approximately 139 million Americans.
The first 2-1-1 service was launched in metropolitan Atlanta in 1997. On Friday, July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 2-1-1 for community information and referral nationwide, making this scarce resource available for the sole purpose of community information and referral. This service would make a critical connection between individuals and families in need and appropriate community based organizations and government agencies. Help is now just a phone call away.
Currently, callers in thirty-six Nebraska counties have 2-1-1 access including: Adams, Boone, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Franklin, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Howard, Kearney, Lancaster, Merrick, Nance, Nuckolls, Phelps, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne, and Webster Counties. The Nebraska 2-1-1 resource center also serves eight counties in southwest Iowa: Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.
For further information about Nebraska 2-1-1, please visit the Nebraska 2-1-1 website.
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http://www.ne211.org
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