2/11 Day - How 2-1-1 Helped New Yorkers

ALBANY, NY (02/10/2012)(readMedia)-- In celebration of National 2/11 day, 2-1-1 New York has announced statistics for information and referral services in 2011. These include:

• Assisting New York residents who made 2.9 million telephone inquiries in 2011.

• Maintaining up-to-date and searchable data bases which saw a whopping 11.6 million hits on regional 2-1-1 web sites.

The most frequently requested services in 2011 were (see attached chart and legend):

• Consumer services – 768,292 inquiries or 26.7% (consumer reporting, debt collection, credit repair, financial services including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites)

• Basic needs – 553,840 inquiries or 19.2% (food, housing material goods, transportation, financial assistance)

• Income supports and employment – 357,291 inquiries or 12.4% (employment, training, insurance and other benefits)

2-1-1 New York Board Chair Liz Hood said, "These numbers demonstrate that for many of our neighbors who need help every day, 2-1-1 is an essential link to the help that is available to them."

During Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee call centers handled over 1 million calls. During this emergency 2-1-1 operated 24/7 helping those affected by the storms, thus relieving a potential burden from 911 so that they could address emergencies. 2-1-1 continues to help residents find assistance for their long-term recovery needs.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember phone number to call when people need information or access to human services. With approximately 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States plus scores of government agencies, people who need help often do not know where to begin. 2-1-1 is now a nationwide movement with services available to over 86% of the country.

2-1-1 call centers are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers' needs and refer them to the help they need. Information is also available over the Internet through comprehensive regional databases. The service is free, confidential, handicapped accessible, and offered in over 200 languages – making 2-1-1 accessible and responsive to New York's diverse population.

Seven call centers that serve 92% of the state's population are located in the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, New York City, Susquehanna River Region, and Western New York. The Hudson Valley site also provides services to the Adirondack Region, the Capital Region, and Long Island (See attached map).

2-1-1 New York, a subsidiary of United Way of New York State was designated by the New York State Public Service Commission to develop and oversee 2-1-1 services. 2-1-1 represents a collaboration among local United Ways and information and referral services providers who are members of NYSAIRS (NYS Alliance of Information and Referral Systems).

For information on 2-1-1 services in your community, please use the attached list of call center locations and contacts.