United Way celebrates one-year anniversary of its Missouri 2-1-1 help line
Now available across the state, 2-1-1 is the number to call to give or get help
Springfield, MO (November 12, 2008) - More than 87,490 calls have been placed to United Way's Missouri 2-1-1 help line since November 13, 2007. With one year running, the Missouri 2-1-1 help line has exceeded expectations across the state. This fast, free, confidential give or get help line for health and human services is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the state of Missouri for those calling from a land line or AT&T cell phones. Other cell phone users and metro-east Illinois residents should call 800-427-4626 for the same service. Information and resources, including a searchable database of services available can be found at: www.211missouri.org.
"We're so pleased that 2-1-1 has been such a success," said Jennifer Kennally, President and CEO of United Way of the Ozarks. "We knew it was important for United Way to be able to offer this free service to help the residents of Missouri and especially the people of the greater Springfield area. We're grateful that the main funder of 2-1-1, Missouri Foundation for Health, understood its importance as well. It can be overwhelming not knowing where to turn for help. The Call Center staff who man the phones 24 hours a day are trained to refer callers to the organizations that can assist with their needs."
"With more than 10,000 health and human service organizations and government programs throughout Missouri, it's hard to know where to turn," said Kennally. "By dialing 2-1-1, the call specialists are there to help you through the maze."
Number and type of calls
Most of the calls made to 2-1-1 are from people looking for help with basic needs such as utility, rent and food assistance. More and more calls are coming in regarding mortgage assistance.
- The 2-1-1 call specialists can help people find health and human service assistance on everything from food and shelter to job counseling services, or health resources. It is also available for everyday and non-emergency needs, and offers easy access to community-based organizations and government agencies that provide services.
People also can call 2-1-1 to volunteer support or donate help to agencies. For example, during the summer flooding throughout the state, more than 3,000 calls were received to find out how people could help.
Disaster response
- Received 608 calls for disaster-related assistance such as floods, tornadoes and ice storms.
- During the 2008 summer, 2-1-1 received 79 heat-related calls.
Special programs
- Nearly 1,700 calls came in for the Earned Income Tax Credit free tax preparation locations throughout the state.
- More than 3,200 calls during the first year have come in statewide for mortgage assistance.
The Missouri United Ways, including United Way of the Ozarks, work with United Way of Greater St. Louis to promote the service. The 2-1-1 Call Center is located at the United Way of Greater St. Louis, with data collection hubs in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Springfield, and St. Louis. Resource Specialists in each data hub focus on updating records about health, health-related and social services to ensure that callers are always receiving up-to-date information.
The United Way of the Ozarks partners with the Springfield-Greene County Library to collect information about southwest Missouri's services. Martha Love, the Library's Special Projects Coordinator, is the 2-1-1 Resource Specialist.
A total of $8.5 million was pledged for Missouri 2-1-1's first five years of operation. MFH committed a total of $4.75 million to the project - $1 million for start-up costs and $3.75 million over five years to support annual operation costs. United Way of Greater St. Louis is providing an additional $3.75 million over the five years to support the remaining annual operation costs. The United Way of Greater St. Louis is handling all Missouri 2-1-1 administration and operating responsibilities.
Kansas City and its 16 surrounding counties have had a 2-1-1 service through the United Way of Greater Kansas City since March 2006, with call volume and service also exceeding expectations. That 2-1-1 service is not affected by or included in today's announcement.
Photos of Missouri 2-1-1 call center available at: http://www.211missouri.net/pressroom.aspx