2-1-1 Maryland
2-1-1 Pilot Centers
Western
Maryland
Capital Region & Southern Maryland
Eastern
Shore
Central
Maryland
In addition to being a “simple, quick link” and
“barometer of need,” 2-1-1 has
played a third , vital role - a partner in disasters and crisis response. Thousands of Americans received valuable information and were connected to available resources during and immediately following
the September 11th attacks,
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, tornadoes in the Midwest, wildfires in the southwest, and chemical spills in South Carolina. FEMA’s report on Hurricane Rita and Katrina not only recognized 2-1-1’s
role, but also made a strong
recommendation that 2-1-1 be available nationwide.
2-1-1 Pilot Sponsors
Status of 2-1-1
A statewide 2-1-1 Task Force, designated by the
Maryland Public Service Commission and led by United Way of Central Maryland, is conducting a pilot of 2-1-1 through June
2009. The pilot is supported through the generous sponsorship of Constellation Energy and funding from Governor Martin
O’Malley’s FY2009 Supplemental Budget.
The pilot covers most of
the state, except Montgomery County. Information is available free of charge,
24 hours a day. Normal airtime and other charges apply for cell phone users. Four call centers
with long track records of success staff 2-1-1 Maryland. 2-1-1 systems also exist in 45 other states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico. More than 198 million
Americans – 75% of the U.S. population
- now have access to a 2-1-1
system. See the map above.
Play a Role!
We are revolutionizing access to help with 2-1-1. You can help make history by giving, volunteering and advocating for it to become permanent in Maryland. Call your legislator
and ask him/her to fund 2-1-1. Dial 2-1-1 to help: we always need volunteers to update the directory of programs and
resources that we use to assist our
callers. And please give generously to United Way of Central Maryland. Your own
personal gift will also make a difference for 2-1-1.
2-1-1- Gets To The Root Cause of the Problem
A
mother called simply seeking three winter coats. With active listening
and gentle questioning, the call specialist found the caller
needed them because she and her children were about to
become homeless. DSS benefits ran out after the caller had
escaped an abusive marriage. The specialist was aware of a
“carve out” in welfare reform for victims of domestic
violence. With that one simple call,
the woman was directed not only to coats, but also had
her benefits reinstated, did not become homeless and
was referred to a Displaced Homemakers Program so she could
develop workforce skills to support her family.
2-1-1: A Partner in Disasters & Crisis Response
