Read the 7/22/10 article in support of 2-1-1 printed in the Grand Rapids Press.

10-year anniversary recognition of 2-1-1 FCC Order (7/21/10)
Dear Colleagues,
“We find that the Information & Referral Petitioners have demonstrated sufficient public benefits to justify use of a scarce public resource and we therefore assign 211 to be used for access to community information and referral services.” – By a unanimous vote of the FCC Commissioners - July 21, 2000 How many times has this quote appeared on power point presentations? Or been quoted to legislators at every level of government as well as Board members and funders from Alaska to Puerto Rico?

TODAY is the 10th anniversary of this historic designation. THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the designation possible in 2000 and for the many new folks who have joined the 2-1-1 ranks since that day.

United Way Worldwide couldn’t have a better partner than AIRS. And we couldn’t do our job without the 2-1-1 US Steering Committee, the State Directors’ Group, the local 2-1-1 Directors, United Way State Associations and Local United Way executives. And more importantly we couldn’t have done it without each staff member who daily responds to needs of people in your communities for accurate information and quality assessments and referrals.

The fact that our advocacy has led to an unprecedented amount of co-sponsors for the Calling for 2-1-1 Act further underscores your commitment. Let’s keep up the momentum! We really are almost there! Former world tennis champion Tracy Austin said, “Winning that first game was so important; my mother always said that the first game of the second set was the chance to keep it going if you were ahead or change things if you were behind.”

As we move into the “second set” decade of officially designated 2-1-1 service let’s celebrate all we have accomplished thus far, follow the roadmap that leads to a true 2-1-1 national system, and recognize where we are behind what we must do to move forward with confidence.

With deep appreciation for all you do,
Linda Daily
Director 2-1-1 and Disaster Services / United Way Worldwide

Download the Michigan 2-1-1 2010 EITC Demonstration Project Report.

Download the press release on national 2-1-1 Statistics from 2009.

MI 2-1-1 2009 Year-End Report
Download the report that highlights significant accomplishments for 2009 including funding, call information, and coverage.

CMS Energy's United Way Support Provides $300,000 to Expand Michigan 2-1-1
Grant will be used for completion of statewide 2-1-1 coverage
Read the full Press Release

Wireless connectivity expands for Michigan 2-1-1 callers

Though over 70% of Michigan’s population has been able to connect with 2-1-1, these calls have been mainly from landlines. Unlike landlines, wireless connectivity is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission, but is regulated by the Federal Communication Commission. With increasing numbers of people using cell phones, being able to connect to 2-1-1 is no longer nice, but necessary for all types of communication devices.

Wireless providers now providing 2-1-1 connectivity or in process include:

• Verizon
• AT&T / Cingular
• Nextel / Sprint
• Alltel
• T-Mobile
• Centennial

CMF 2-1-1 Briefing 4-23-07

• Participant List (pdf)
• Agenda (pdf)
• CMF 2-1-1 Presentation (pdf)

CMF 2-1-1 Info Packets

• 2-8-07 Chronicle (pdf)
• CMF 2-7-07 (pdf)
• 2-1-1 Cost Savings (pdf)