Label
Council Members Morris, McPherson and Komives
Title
Amending the framework for the Toledo Recovery Plan by authorizing the appropriation of an amount not to exceed $300,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for United Way of Greater Toledo 211 Services; authorizing the expenditure of $100,000 for 211 Services in 2024; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with United Way of Greater Toledo; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
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. In 2022, the program received more than 85,000 connections for help, through call, text, and chat, and ensured nearly 70,000 residents had access to the vital health and human services they need to lead more ful?lling 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 signi?cant increase in needs from City of Toledo residents is 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 ?ling, employment opportunities, and access to food, clothing, and shelter.
UWGT's 211 is an unparallele...
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