How we help
FIRST Call 2-1-1
doing what matters…
Every hour of every day, someone in the US needs to find essential community services—everything from finding an after-school program to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Yet the search for this kind of help often involves navigating a bureaucratic maze. Thanks to First Call 2-1-1 that is no longer an issue!
With the support of more than 200 social service organizations that provide health and human services information and referrals, First Call 2-1-1, which debuted February 11, 2007, provids an easy to remember telephone number that connects residents with important community services and volunteer opportunities. Now, individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities can call 2-1-1, a universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between callers and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies.
“The partnership between the Bartlesville Regional United Way and the Alliance for Information & Referral Systems (AIRS), which enables 2-1-1, focuses on bringing together people who have needs with the programs and services that are available within our communitities,” said Andria McCollough, former Program Director for First Call 2-1-1 and Marketing Director for Bartlesville Regional United Way. “With 2-1-1, we’re breaking down the barriers between those who need help and those who can help them.”
“The tragedy of the hurricanes last year showed us more than ever how important it is for members of a community to know where to call for help or to volunteer in the wake of a disaster,” said McCollough. “To aid in relief efforts or to help with the everyday issues of people in need, the 2-1-1 system streamlines access to resources. It makes it easier for those in need to find the right services and for potential volunteers to get connected with organizations that need help.”
2-1-1 builds America’s capacity to strengthen the way people access help and engage in civic life. Today, 2-1-1 reaches approximately 172 million Americans—over 57 percent of the US population. The goal of the United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems is to ensure that the majority of the US population has access to quality community information and referral services through 2-1-1.
2-1-1 FACTS:
*Launched 2-11-07
*Covers Washington, Nowata, Osage (a portion
thereof), Craig, Ottawa, Delaware and Mayes Counties
*Is answered 24/7 by Trained Operators
*Addresses People’s most Critical Needs
*Strengthens Service Delivery
*Connects Victims of Disasters Quickly with Emergency Services
*Next Year, more than 200,000 area residents will have Access to 2-1-1—your Neighbors, Friends, Relatives ...Maybe Even You