FAQ- 211 - New York


	Clicking on a question below takes you directly to the answer. What is an N-1-1 number? What is 2-1-1? What is the vision for 2-1-1 in New York State? Who is leading this effort in New York State? How will 2-1-1 work in New York State? Who will operate it? Will 2-1-1 make information available over the Internet? What about the legislation? What is the timeline for the implementation of 2-1-1 throughout the state? What is I&R? Who will pay for 2-1-1? How will 2-1-1 work with 9-1-1? How do I join 2-1-1 New York? How is 2-1-1 different from NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care? What is an N-1-1 number? Among abbreviated dialing arrangments, "N-1-1" is a three-digit code in which the "N" can be any digit other than 1 or 0, and the last two digits are both 1. There are only eight possible codes, making N-1-1 among the scarcest of numbering resources. Following are the existing N-1-1 code assignments: 2-1-1: Assigned for community information and referral (I&R) services 3-1-1: Assigned nationwide for non-emergency police and other governmment services 4-1-1: Unassigned but used virtually nationwide by carriers for directory assistance 5-1-1: Assigned for traffic and transportation information 6-1-1: Unassigned but used broadly by carriers for repair service 7-1-1: Assigned nationwide for access to Telecom Relay Services 8-1-1: Unassigned but used by local exchange carriers for business office use 9-1-1: Unassigned but used nationwide for emergency services N-1-1 codes “0-1-1” and “1-1-1” are unavailable because “0” and “1” are used for switching and routing purposes. What is 2-1-1? It is a simple and easy-to-remember number to call when people need help or access to human services. Like 9-1-1, it easily and directly connects the caller to a local/regional 2-1-1 call center. It is not another emergency service access point. The 2-1-1 call center provides direct personal assistance. After an interview with a caller to gain an understanding of specific needs, information and referral specialists provide the caller with detailed information about and referral to appropriate agencies, programs and services. It is a 24-hour, multi-lingual service so people get the help and information they need when they need it. What is the vision for 2-1-1 in New York State? All New Yorkers will have easy access to information about the full range of health and human service programs. Who is leading this effort in New York State? The 2-1-1 New York Collaborative, co-sponsored the by New York State Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, Inc.(NYS AIRS) and United Way of New York State, has developed a statewide plan for the implementation of a 2-1-1 I&R system in New York State. Co-chaired by Susan Hager, President of United Way of New York State, and Leta Weintraub, Past President, New York State Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, Inc., 2-1-1 has members that include not-for-profit I&R agencies, United Ways and others supporting the 2-1-1 vision. In February 2002, the state Public Service Commission issued an order that recognizes the 2-1-1 New York Collaborative as the entity to take the lead in the implementation of 2-1-1 in New York State. How will 2-1-1 work in New York State? Who will operate it? A defined number of regional call centers (nine) will be designated as hubs of 2-1-1 activities. Regional call centers will need to meet operational requirements that are in keeping with Standards for Professional Information and Referral established by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). Input will be sought from key stakeholders in the delivery of I&R services within each county. Protocols will be developed within each 2-1-1 call center’s region to address area-specific needs regarding data management and the delivery of I&R services. Will 2-1-1 make information available over the Internet? 2-1-1 New York plans to utilize Internet technologies to make information available to New Yorkers once all regional databases have been established and are in service for 2-1-1 New York call centers. It is essential that the data be accurate and understandable by the general public. Procedures and protocols must be in place to ensure someone who is having difficulty accessing information via the Internet can easily connect with 2-1-1 call center personnel, who are trained to help the caller get the needed information. Establishing 2-1-1 Internet access is contingent upon the attainment of adequate funding. What about the legislation? The Calling for 2-1-1 Act (S 211/HR 896) enjoys broad bipartisan support—it is led by Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Richard Burr (R-NC) and Representatives Michael Bilirakis (R-FL-9) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA-14). The act would authorize $150 million to assist states with implementing and sustaining 2-1-1 statewide. States would have to provide a 50% match to the grant, which could come from current 2-1-1 funding in the community, such as United Way or through other non-profits, state and local government, foundations, and businesses. Funding would be administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The act closed the 108th Congress with 182 bipartisan congressional co-sponsors. As of mid-May, there are 46 House and 25 Senate co-sponsors. The 2-1-1 New York Collaborative appreciates the support of Senator Clinton and of New York’s Representatives Louise Slaughter, Thomas Reynolds, Edolphus Towns, Eliot Engel, Nita Lowey and Sherwood Boehlert. What is the timeline for the implementation of 2-1-1 throughout the state? In New York State, 2-1-1 services are available to 18,091,543 people, or 93% of the state’s population. 2-1-1 services are available to the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Hudson Valley, Northeastern New York, North Country, New York City, Long Island and Susquehanna River Regions. Planning is underway to bring service to the remaining 7% of the state. In 2009 over 2.8 million referrals were given to callers by 2-1-1. Click here to see “2-1-1 NY total referrals for 2009” . Additionally, the Western New York 2-1-1 system played a crucial role in aiding victims of flooding in the summer of 2009 just as the Hudson Valley 2-1-1 system did during floods in their region in late 2006. In 2009 2-1-1 served as the entry point for EITC-eligible residents in 51 counties where 2-1-1 is currently available to access free tax preparation services and will do so again for the this tax season.. Currently Hudson Valley 2-1-1 serves as the entry point for HEAP information and eligibility for residents in Westchester, Orange and Ulster Counties and has partnered with IBM to form an Emergency Registration Services pilot program. Additional regions of New York State are developing plans for the provision of 2-1-1 services for their residents. These include the Central New York, and the Leatherstocking Region. Additional regions of New York State are developing plans for the provision of 2-1-1 services for their residents. These include the North Country, the Susquehanna River Region, and the Leatherstocking Region. All of these groups have identified key collaborative leaders and are developing regional 2-1-1 models. Some are working toward applying to the 2-1-1 Policy Board for the 2-1-1 designation in their region and Susquehanna River Region currently has an Application for Designation pending approval. In 2006 over 56,000 callers were assisted by 2-1-1 Finger Lakes, while more than 15,000 callers received help in the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Valley 2-1-1 system played a crucial role in aiding victims of flooding in late June 2006. It currently serves as the entry point for EITC-eligible residents of Rockland and Westchester counties to access free tax preparation services. An additional five identified regions of New York State are developing plans for the provision of 2-1-1 services for their residents. These include the Northeast Region, the North Country, three counties centered around Broome County, the Leatherstocking Region and Long Island. All of these groups have identified key collaborative leaders and are developing regional 2-1-1 models. Some are working toward applying to the 2-1-1 Policy Board for the 2-1-1 designation in their region. What is I&R? Information and referral (I&R) services are the link between people who need health and human services assistance and the appropriate providers of such services. I&R services across the United States answer more than 50 million calls annually. I&R specialists assess callers’ needs and determine the service provider best equipped to handle their problems or crises. In addition, I&R specialists are trained to determine whether a caller may be eligible for other programs. I&R providers maintain comprehensive databases of resources, including federal, state and local government agencies; community-based organizations; and private non-profits. Who will pay for 2-1-1? Unlike 9-1-1, 2-1-1 New York does not envision that new taxes will pay for this gateway to community resources. Current I&R funding varies considerably from one area to another. Some organizations are more heavily funded by federal, state and local governmental sources; others are more heavily supported by corporations and foundations. Many receive United Way contributions or are programs or collaborative partners of local United Ways. Many also rely on individual contributions through annual campaigns and the sales of information resource directories. 2-1-1 call centers will lead to better coordination of existing I&R services. The 2-1-1 New York Collaborative supports the position that initial and ongoing funding for 2-1-1 service in New York State will be through public-private partnerships that include federal, state and local government funding streams and United Way; corporate and other charitable entities; and major gifts and endowments. Federal legislation was introduced in mid-September 2003 (S1630, HR3111) to provide a dedicated-revenue stream of $200 million to support 2-1-1. How will 2-1-1 work with 9-1-1? 2-1-1 is meant to complement 9-1-1 by filling the gap between emergencies and urgent non-public-safety needs, like food and shelter. 2-1-1 helps relieve the burden of non-emergency calls on 9-1-1 and saves callers time by providing guidance and appropriate referrals to organizations that can meet the callers’ needs. Educational and marketing materials will clearly distinguish the difference and when 2-1-1 should be called. How do I join 2-1-1 New York? Membership in the 2-1-1 New York Collaborative is open to not-for-profit and government entities and individuals who have an interest in participating in the development of 2-1-1 in New York State. You may contact Ana Winans (awinans211@uwnys.org) for more information. How is 2-1-1 different from NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care? 2-1-1 and NY Connects share similar missions, which involve the provision of information about programs and services that are available to consumers across New York State. 2-1-1 provides information on the full range of health and human services programs and services to all residents of New York State. NY Connects provides information and assistance on programs and services specifically related to long term care for people with disabilities and older adults. NY Connects provides these services in nearly every county of New York State, while 2-1-1 operates through nine regional locations across the state. Since these two initiatives have such similar goals, collaboration amongst them is essential. At the local level, NY Connects programs are actively establishing partnering relationships with their regional 2-1-1s in order to develop relevant referral protocols. <>p>