Label
Council Members Komives, McPherson & Morris
Title
Urging the Ohio State Legislature to fund vital 2-1-1 Services around the state to help lessen the burden on local communities.
Summary
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 is a public hotline similar to 911 that connects people to assistance programs that cover a wide variety of needs, such as homelessness, hunger, mental health crisis, and emergency and disaster services; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 2-1-1 as the 3-digit number for information and referrals to social services and other assistance in 2000. The 2-1-1 service is provided by local organizations that are committed to serving their communities; and
WHEREAS, offering assistance in English and 180 other languages, the 2-1-1 hotline fielded more than 18 million requests for help in 2022. The hotline comprises more than 200 agencies scattered across the country; however, most are organized via county and regional areas within their respective states; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 also connects residents to vital health and human support services, including disaster relief, as well as eviction prevention, legal services, tax ?ling, employment opportunities, and access to food, clothing, and shelter; and
WHEREAS, this program is often administered by United Way, a ubiquitous nonprofit organization (501c[3]) that provides both the funding and staff necessary for 24/7 operation. 2-1-1 relies on charitable donations and the funding from the municipal communities to provide this service; and
WHEREAS, in Toledo and Lucas County, United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) operates the local 2-1-1 call service that connects our citizens with assistance for their essential needs, and greatly helps to combat poverty and deprivation; and
WHEREAS, UWGT's 2-1-1 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...
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