* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Welch
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Residents Use of 2-1-1 at UWCM
FOR the purpose of inviting the Senior Vice President for Impact Strategies and the Director of 2-1-1 MD, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) and the Commissioner of Health to report on Baltimore City residents' use of 2-1-1; the coordination between the United Way 2-1-1 information and referral system and services offered by local government; and strategies to increase usage of 2-1-1 referral services to link people in need to available private and governmental community resources.
body
Recitals
2-1-1 is a 3 digit phone number set aside by the FCC for community information and referral nationwide. 2-1-1 call centers can be found in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. A pilot of 2-1-1 was launched in Maryland, in October 2006. 2-1-1 MD at UWCM is one of 4 call centers that comprise the 2-1-1 MD system. 2-1-1 MD at UWCM covers central Maryland, including Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties.
2-1-1 MD is a free, 24-hour, statewide confidential information and referral service that links people in need to community resources through a reference database of over 4,500 local, state, and national community resources connected to over 2400 agencies, and 2-1-1 MD information and referral specialists connect callers with health and human service agencies, government programs, and other resources that can assist with a wide range of problems. In calender year 2010, approximately 41% of calls were from residents of Baltimore City.
The service is easy, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for persons in need of food, shelter, health, work, or any other basic human services. The line is available in more than 150 languages and serves as the central point of contact for a wide variety of state agencies, as well as the state's main information source for H1N1, otherwise known as swine flu. For those who prefer to search for resources online, the 2-1-1 database is publicly available online to clients, friends and relatives, and professionals seeking services for their clients.
The system provides immediate access to information for users who in the past had to access some 500 toll-free lines for information and referrals for health and human services. 2-1-1 MD at UWCM partners with City agencies, non-profits, and funders to increase awareness and utilization of resources. UWCM officials offer as an example the 2-year partnership with Baltimore CASH to expand outreach efforts for free tax preparation services for Spanish-speaking tax filers. The City's Senior Information and Assistance program forwards calls to 2-1-1 MD evenings, weekends, holidays, and whenever City offices are closed. 2-1-1 MD at UWCM is currently working closely with the Family League to ensure that services for youth in the 2-1-1 resource database are current and comprehensive.
In 2009, the most common calls received by the system were from people searching for information about housing or help with paying their utility bills. However, at that time, United Way officials noted that the information sought was growing more and more complex and that the downturn in the economy was driving more middle-class families to seek help to meet basic needs.
In these trying economic times, 2-1-1 MD offers unprecedented access to a wide variety of services essential to families in crisis. It will benefit Baltimore City residents to make certain that they are aware of the invaluable assistance available to them through 2-1-1 MD at UWCM.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Senior Vice President for Impact Strategies and the Director of 2-1-1 MD, United Way of Central Maryland and the Commissioner of Health are invited to report on Baltimore City residents' use of 2-1-1; the coordination between United Way 2-1-1 information systems and services offered by local government; and strategies to increase usage of 2-1-1 referral services to link people in need to available private and governmental community resources.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor; the Senior Vice President for Impact Strategies, United Way of Central Maryland; the Director of 2-1-1 MD, United Way of Central Maryland; the Commissioner of Health; the Director, Baltimore City Department of Social Services; and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 11-2480~intro/08Jun11
ccres/211/nf
dlr 11-2480~intro/08Jun11
??2??
ccres/211/nf