- Until Nevada
2-1-1, there has been no single,
comprehensive statewide provider of information and referrals for
Nevadans. Because many health and human services providers offer
specialized programs and services for those in need, clients were
often confused or frustrated about where to turn for help.
- Callers can access:
- Basic human services
- Food, clothing, shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance
- Physical and mental health resources
- Medical information lines, crisis intervention, support groups,
counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, Medicaid/Medicare, maternal
health, children’s health, insurance
- Employment support services
- Unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training,
transportation assistance, education programs
- Support for seniors and persons with disabilities
- Home health care, adult day care, meal services, respite care,
transportation, homemaker services
- Programs for children, youth, families
- Childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource
centers, recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services
- Volunteer opportunities and donations
- Support for community crisis or disaster recovery
- (2-1-1 systems in other states have proven valuable in disaster
relief efforts in other communities. Nevada 2-1-1’s capabilities in
this area will be developed as funding allows.)
-
- When:
Service is currently
available from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight; Saturday and
Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; excluding holidays.
- Capabilities:
Service is available to those calling from
metropolitan areas of Washoe County, Carson City, and most of Clark
County (with some exceptions). Ultimately, the service will extend to
Nevada’s rural communities. Statewide cellular access to 2-1-1 is
available to certain cellular subscribers initially and will become
available through other cellular providers as capabilities and service
areas are expanded. 2-1-1 is not a substitute for 9-1-1 (emergency
services), 4-1-1 (telephone directory assistance) or other specialized
hotlines or automated recordings. Those with hearing/speech
impairments may access 2-1-1 services by calling 7-1-1. Translation
services are available to those calling 2-1-1.
- Call Centers:
HELP of Southern Nevada and Crisis Call Center
serve as the Nevada 2-1-1 information and referral centers. The
centers are staffed by live information and referral specialists
-
-
Coalition Agencies:
- United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra,
United Way of Southern Nevada, Crisis Call Center, HELP of Southern
Nevada, and the State of Nevada. Additional partners include: AT&T,
City of Las Vegas, City of Reno, Clark County Social Service, Family
TIES of Nevada, Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, Nevada
Public Health Foundation, Nevada Telecommunications Association,
Sierra Pacific Power Company, Sprint, State of Nevada Department of
Health and Human Services, State of Nevada Department of Information
Technology, State of Nevada Legislature, United Way of the Colorado
River Region, United Way of Pioneer Territory, Volunteer Center of
Southern Nevada, Washoe County Chronic Disease Coalition, Washoe
County Senior Services.
- Funded by: The planning and development of this
essential service has been made possible through funding from the
State of Nevada with the support of Nevada Senator Dina Titus and
Assemblywoman Debbie Smith.
- Background: 2-1-1 is spearheaded nationally by
United Way of America and the Alliance of Information and Referral
Systems (AIRS). In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) established 2-1-1 as the nationwide number for non-emergency
information and referrals. 2-1-1 is currently operating in 32 states
and serves approximately 139 million Americans—over 46 percent of the
US population. Each state is responsible for planning and operating
its own 2-1-1 system.
-
Support 2-1-1:
- Call 1-888-PASS-211 to encourage members of
Congress to co-sponsor the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act", bi-partisan
legislation that would provide federal funding for 2-1-1.
-
- The Role of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra in Nevada
2-1-1:
- Statewide Coalition: Since 2002, UWNNS has provided guidance and
facilitation to the statewide coalition-building process. UWNNS
continues to provide statewide leadership as needed and assistance in
resource development for the 2-1-1 project as a whole.
- Online Service Database and Referral System: UWNNS provides,
manages and administers the statewide online service database and
referral system. The database includes almost 4,000 services statewide
and serves as the reference point both for the call centers when
making referrals and persons seeking information online. United Way
manages the 500+ statewide users and supervises the overall database
development and maintenance process.
- The Online System also includes tools which can be
deployed for disaster preparedness and response situations, including
online donations, volunteer deployment and individual/family case
management. This will be a critical area of development in the near
future.
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