2008 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report
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2-1-1 Texas delivers efficient access to the most appropriate sources of help and information.
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2-1-1 is...
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Beth Wick: 211 Texas/United Way Capital Area Partnership
2008 Information and Referral Trends
In 2008, in partnership with the Health and Human Services Commission, 2-1-1 Texas, United Way Capital Area handled more than 190,000 calls. To date, 2-1-1 UWCA answered more than 840,000 calls and expects to answer its one millionth call by 2010.
In 2008, reflecting a national economic crisis, 2-1-1 UWCA responded to a:
- 19% increase in demand for basic needs from 2007, most significantly for:
- emergency food - 34%
- utility bill assistance - 19%
- housing payment assistance - 14%
2008-9 Community Tax Center
2-1-1 Texas UWCA partners with Foundation Communities each year to bring millions of dollars back to Central Texas by helping eligible residents file their taxes for free. This year 2-1-1, UWCA expects to:
- Assist more than 18,000 low-income residents claim their taxes
To date this tax season, we have responded to a 30% increase in calls for free tax preparation.
2-1-1 will support Foundation Communities goal of:
- Preparing more than 17,000 returns
- Reclaiming $21 million for the Central Texas community
Disaster Role
2-1-1 Texas is the state designated disaster information helpline. During a disaster, 2-1-1 works seamlessly with local and state Emergency Operations to provide critical disaster information.
In September 2008, during hurricane Ike, the statewide 2-1-1 network assisted more than 200,000 residents find shelter and emergency food, evacuate safely, and obtain long-term relief.
Locally, with the generous help of community volunteers, 2-1-1 UWCA ramped up to:
- Provide round-the-clock disaster response for 10 consecutive days;
- Respond to more than 45,000 calls from Central Texas and the Gulf Coast; and
- Recruit and train more than 200 community volunteers who covered more than 56 volunteer shifts
Basic Needs Calls | # Of Calls 2008 | % Change 2008 |
Utility Assistance | 8,880 | 19% |
Housing Payment Assistance | 6,850 | 14% |
Food | 6,445 | 34% |
Emergency Shelter | 2,379 | 9% |
Material Resources/Furniture | 982 | 15% |
Transportation | 956 | 20% |
Home Improvement | 214 | 37% |
Housing Counseling/Search/Info | 477 | 25% |
Home Improvement | 127 | 16% |
TOTAL | 31,313 | 19% |
2-1-1 Texas can be accessed online:
www.211centraltexas.org
2-1-1 serves as the point of contact for a growing number of community-wide initiatives, including:
- Community Tax Centers, which provide free income tax preparation for low-income individuals and families
- Back-to-school Immunization Programs, which offer access to childhood immunization sites for students returning
to school
- Summer Food Program, which serves lunch to children in need during the summer months
1HourForKids.org
Has 2-1-1 helped you?
Has 2-1-1 helped you or someone you know? Maybe you used 2-1-1 during tax season, or called to learn more about the AISD Summer Lunch Program.
We'd like to hear about it.
Send an email to: web@unitedwaycapitalarea.org
Your personal information will be kept confidential.
About 2-1-1
2-1-1 Texas is a private/public collaboration of United Way Capital Area and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.







