A single mother trying to find a job in a tough economy….a frail senior citizen who needs help with transportation but has no family or friends to call … a substance-abusing teen who in a moment of lucidity decides to seek a way out…a family with a loved one called to war.

These are examples of human services needs that are seen every day in communities of all sizes across New York State.  And while services may exist in those communities or under the state’s umbrella of caring – access to those services can be a difficult issue.

What are the Benefits to 2-1-1?

• 24-hour/7 days a week availability; 2-1-1 is always there for you.
• 2-1-1 is efficient, fast and easy to use.
• 2-1-1 is a confidential call; most often the name of the caller is not even taken.
• 2-1-1 maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system, saving that vital community resource for life and death emergencies.
• 2-1-1 is an easy way to find or give help in your community.
• 2-1-1 is a useful planning tool. Based on aggregate data about the types of calls that the 2-1-1 Center receives, the Capital Region will be better positioned to anticipate demand for services and mobilize resources to meet changing needs.

Partnership Matters – Background of the Northeastern New York
Regional 2-1-1 Collaborative

United Way of Northeastern New York is partnering with United Ways covering 10 counties, the NYS Association of Information & Referral Services (NYSAIRS), Family & Children’s Service of the Capital Region, multiple service providers, local elected officials, community volunteers and businesses, to make 2-1-1 a reality in the Capital Region.  Together this group is The Northeastern New York Regional  2-1-1 Collaborative creating a nationally proven system that matches a caller's need with the right agency to assist.  With the support of this diverse network, a 2-1-1 system will be in place by 2007.

Current Status

A state grant of $6.9 million in the 2006-07 budget moves millions of New Yorkers one step closer to having their human service questions answered with all the ease of dialing 2-1-1. The new 2-1-1 service, which will be available across the state over the next three years comes after a difficult budget process and years of behind the scenes work by United Way of New York State (UWNYS), local United Ways, and NYS AIRS.

UWNYS serves as the statewide fiscal agent for distribution of 2-1-1 state funds to the following United Ways on behalf of their regional 2-1-1 collaborations:

Capital Region $237,500 planning, capital, and operating support - United Way of Northeastern New York

Eastern Southern Tier $25,000 planning – United Way of Broome County

Finger Lakes 2-1-1 $941,000 planning, capital and operating support – United Way of Greater Rochester

Hudson Valley 2-1-1 $690,000 capital and operating support – United Way of Westchester and Putnam

Long Island $25,000 planning – United Way of Long Island

New York City $3,878,640 planning and capital United Way of New York City

Northern New York $25,000 planning - United Way of Clinton and Essex & United Way of Northern New York

Western New York 2-1-1 $845,288 capital and operating support – United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. 

The Finger Lakes Region 2-1-1 has gone live in Monroe, Livingston and Ontario counties.  The other two regional pilots (Western New York & Taconic Region) are ready to go online once full funding is secured.  All three regions, covering 26 counties, have been awarded the 2-1-1 designation following a comprehensive application review process, including a site visit.  The balance of the state will follow, based on the experience of the initial pilot regions. 

2-1-1 – What will it look like?

Regional call centers will be approved by the Collaborative, based on an application process, and will be supported by comprehensive computerized databases.  This system of call centers:

Builds on existing information and referral services in each region.

Allows local and state government, not for profit providers, and funders to plan for the distinct needs of their region.

Will achieve savings through joint purchasing.

Works with specialized providers such as 9-1-1 and others to ensure coordinated response to consumer calls

Provides a way for people who need help and those who want to help in a natural or unnatural disaster, or during time of war, to get connected with community resources.

Requires adherence to national AIRS standards to ensure quality service to all consumers.

Will allow regional call centers to pick up the calls from another region in the event of an emergency.

Will work towards a web-based option to access information.

Thanks to financial support from the United Way of Northeastern New York and the United Way of Schenectady County, the Collaborative has been gathering information on existing, specialized I&R’s and has started the process of data collection across multiple counties. With the purchase of the required database software and a web based agency profiler, a part-time Database Specialist will be receiving training on data entry in very early 2006.

The Regional Collaborative is also actively engaged in planning and resource development with a goal of having an operational 2-1-1 call system by 2007.