2-1-1 - Get Connected. Get Answers - by Michigan Association of United Ways

2-1-1: The New Way

Watch the 2-1-1 Informational Video

2-1-1 Information

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 Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ionia, Ingham, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Monroe, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties and across the Upper Peninsula
Download the Current 2-1-1 Coverage & Planned Expansion
2-1-1 development is underway in 26 additional counties
90.5% of Michigan’s population and 82% 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. In Michigan, 2-1-1 is regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
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 8,500 agencies with more than 75,000 public, non-profit and faith based health and human service programs
During the tax season, anywhere from 12,000 to 15, 000 callers are referred to free tax assistance sites for help in preparing their tax forms. If just 80% of the EITC callers filed, an estimated $20,000,000 was claimed - a real economic stimulus.
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 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”

2-1-1 Fact Sheet.pdf (240KB)
2-1-1 Call Centers
2-1-1 Call Center Toll-free numbers 2011 (82KB)
Current 2-1-1 Coverage – November 2011
Michigan 2-1-1 Business Plan Executive Summary (355KB)

For Michigan AIRS info
For National 2-1-1 Info
For AIRS Info
For UWA 2-1-1 Info

For more information please contact:
David Eich
Executive Director, Michigan 2-1-1
(517) 371-4360 x14
deich@uwmich.org

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