Label
United Way 211 Services Support
Toledo City Council
Lucille Frank (x1417)
Revised 10/28/2024
Title
Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for United Way of Greater Toledo 211 Services in 2025; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that funds and operates the local 211 call service that connects the public with assistance programs for needs, including those not covered by other government programs. UWGT’s 211 program is an essential component of public infrastructure in Northwest Ohio. So far in 2024, the program received more than 72,000 connections for help, through call, text, and chat, ensuring these residents had access to the vital health and human services they need to lead more fulfilling lives.
Prior to 2020, annual contacts ranged from 62,000 to 68,000 annually. In 2021, that number increased to more than 104,000 as residents sought access to COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic relief. As pandemic emergency needs waned (an anticipated lowering of contact volume is noted in data), a significant increase in needs from City of Toledo residents continues to be apparent. In 2021, more than half of NW Ohio’s total contact volume came from City of Toledo residents (53%). However, as handled contacts dropped in 2022 by just under 3,000 individuals, City of Toledo resident needs increased by 13% to account for nearly two-thirds (66%) of the total annual contact volume.
211 connects residents to vital health and human support services, including disaster relief, as well as eviction prevention, legal services, tax filing, employment opportunities, and access to food, clothing, and shelter. UWGT’s 211 is an unparalleled service, offering empathy-informed, human-centric approaches as individuals and families navigate difficult times in their lives. 211 is a free and anonymous information and referral service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone in Lucas, Ottawa or Wood County with a health or human service need. The program’s skilled staff, Community Resource Advisers (CRAs), are the key to the service, trained to “ask the second question” to identify root issues. The 211 database offers translation services and includes access to more than 800 organizations and 2,300 programs. 211 data is made available publicly in real time so that UWGT, funders, legislators, and others have a constant pulse on community needs, including data supporting that more than half of annual contact volume continually relates to food, housing and shelter, and utility assistance.
As inflation, rental, utility, and housing prices, overall cost of living, and the job market, as well as Public Health Emergency Benefits ending, continue to present financial barriers to individuals throughout NW Ohio and the City of Toledo, United Way does not anticipate a downturn in these numbers through 2024 or in future years. In this regard, 211’s service as a direct helpline increases efficiencies of government, nonprofit, and other public services by reducing call volume and streamlining contacts to resources they need and for which they are qualified. Through direct person-to-person interaction, residents find creative, compassionate solutions to complex problems arising from disaster, unexpected unemployment and financial burden, illness, and much more. 211 provides an essential service as a key piece of health and human services public infrastructure in NW Ohio, however, it does not currently benefit from sustainable public investment in the same manner as 911 and 988.
An annual $100,000 investment in 211 ensures sustainability of the program beyond shelter services, of which up to two-thirds of information and referral services are dedicated to City of Toledo residents, and will encourage more direct communication and partnership with emergency services, Engage Toledo, and other City of Toledo departments. In 2023, Ordinance 512-23 was passed unanimously to amend the framework of the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Toledo Recovery Plan) and also authorized the appropriation of $300,000 to support United Way of Greater Toledo 211 Services for Toledo Residents. Ordinance 512-23 further authorized the expenditure of $100,000 for the calendar year of 2024, leaving $200,000 appropriated for years 2025 and 2026. This Ordinance authorizes the expenditure of the next $100,000 for the 2025 calendar year.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $100,000 was authorized from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund from Account Code 2021-10100-1211UNITWYRRP and the expenditure of same is authorized to support the delivery of 211 Services in the 2025 calendar year.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with United Way of Greater Toledo for the above authorized purposes, upon terms and conditions consistent with American Rescue Plan Act regulations and acceptable to the Director of Law.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against Account Code 2021-10100-1211UNITWYRRP in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligation upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That as a condition of this funding UWGT shall provide a comprehensive report by October 31st of each funding year to the Mayor and Council, detailing the current year use of funding and how the 211 service has benefited the Toledo community. The report, at a minimum, should include volume of calls per month, by zip code (grouped to the extent available by Council District), the type of assistance requested by callers, and a statement justifying continued funding.
SECTION 5. That any UWGT revenue from other sources currently used to fund 211 Services that is offset by funding provided under this Ordinance shall be used for programs or activities that directly benefit the residents of the City of Toledo. The report required under Section 5 shall include a detailed explanation of the programs and activities funded each report year with such offset funds.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective in order to provide timely sponsorship support to ensure the continued delivery of the current level of 211 Services to Toledo residents.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: November 6, 2024, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons Carrie Hartman
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: November 6, 2024
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor