2007 News

April 4 , 2007

Commissioner Miller Pushes Support for Statewide 2-1-1 Service
Bucks County Commissioners Support HB 539, PA 2-1-1 Telephone
Service Act

At today’s bi-monthly meeting, Commissioner Sandra A. Miller called for the board of commissioners to support of a piece of legislation at the state level that would establish a 2-1-1 line.  According to Miller, 2-1-1 serves approximately 196 million Americans in 41 states, and provides critical information about health and human services.

“Every day, someone needs one of these services, whether they need to find an after-school program, or where they can get care for one’s aging parent, or information on local food banks, unemployment benefits or maternal health,” noted Commissioner Miller.  “It’s time that Pennsylvania adds itself to the list of states that support its residents with this simple-to-use but critical information service.”

The resolution calls for the implementation of a statewide 2-1-1 line that would refer callers, 24 hours per day, to the appropriate agency for assistance and information on the following types of resources:        

  • Basic human needs: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility
    assistance.
  • Physical and mental health needs: crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, children’s health insurance programs.
  • Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training.
  • Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home health care, adult day care, respite care, transportation.
  • Support for children, youth, and families: quality childcare, after-school programs, summer camps and recreation programs.

Bucks County currently has referral numbers in many of these programs. 2-1-1 is a clearinghouse to route calls to a variety of agencies, saving time and money.

“An important aspect of the 2-1-1 system is that it reduces the impact of non-emergency calls to the 9-1-1 system, allowing operators to dedicate their time and efforts to those vitally important life-saving functions they facilitate,” noted Commissioner James F. Cawley.

Miller’s call is not simply for the adoption of House Bill 539. It further urges the legislature to provide funding for the cost of implementing and operating the system.  “It appears as though this is the direction the country is moving, in terms of a one-stop-shop for health and human service information.  The last thing we need in trying to help our citizens is to incur a financial responsibility for something that is a state matter.

“Funding is an integral component of this resolution,” Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin added, further stating that 67 counties shouldn’t need 67 different solutions.  “This is a chance for the state to take the lead and save money, provide a valuable service, and avoid another unfunded mandate.”

In order to take the pulse of Bucks Countians’ support of a 2-1-1 line, the commissioners have established a special email address where residents can send feedback. The commissioners encourage residents to send their thoughts to 211@co.bucks.pa.us. They may also write to the Bucks County Commissioners’ Office of Public Information, at 55 E. Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.  Please mark “211” on the envelope.

For more information, visit www.211.org.