• 2-1-1 is the health and human service equivalent of 9-1-1 to give or get help spearheaded by United Way
  
  
• 2-1-1 is currently active in Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Kent, Jackson, Livingston, Macomb, Mason, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties and across the Upper Peninsula
  
  
• 71% of Michigan’s population and 76% of the nation’s total population currently has 2-1-1 service
  
  
• 2-1-1 can be reached via landline, wireless, or VOIP
  
  
• A statewide 2-1-1 Business Plan is complete showing how all Michiganders could have sustainable 2-1-1 service with public funds matching the existing local non-profit funding commitment
  
  
• 2-1-1 Call Centers are required to become nationally accredited; staff is extensively trained and nationally certified
  
  
• The FCC approved 2-1-1 for health and human service information & referral; 2-1-1 is legislated in the Michigan Telecommunications Act.
  
  
• Calls are free to the user, answered 24/7/365 by professional Information and Referral specialists, translation service is available for non-English speaking callers
  
  
• The 2-1-1 database is comprehensive and up-to-date; for example, current Michigan 2-1-1 data bases maintain information on over 5,000 agencies with more than 20,000 public, non-profit and faith based health and human service programs
  
  
• A national cost benefit analysis conducted by the University of Texas estimates a net value to society of a national 2–1–1 system approaching $130 million in the first year alone and a conservative estimate of $1.1 billion over ten years
  
  
• University of Nebraska study sites cost savings for Nebraska between $7.6 - 16.5 M annually resulting from such factors as, one call for multiple referrals, reduced overlapping information & referral costs and improved community planning through call data
  
  
• A recent report to Michigan’s Legislature identified more than 700 toll-free telephone lines maintained by state agencies for public access to governmental services
  
  
• National Governors’ Association cites “2-1-1: Key Strategy for State’s Community Preparedness and Response Plans”

For more info: Sherry Miller, Michigan Association of United Ways, 517 371.4360 x14 smiller@uwmich.org

For more information please contact: Sherry Miller Director, Michigan 2-1-1 (517) 371-4360 x14 smiller@uwmich.org