Get Help — 2-1-1 Texas

2008 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report

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

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