2-1-1 Texas
How to Support 2-1-1

2-1-1 Needs Your Support

During the last session of the legislature, hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings were achieved through the creation of a new system for determining eligibility for public programs. 2-1-1 is central to this new system and these savings will not be realized without 2-1-1.

Many cities and installations in Texas have very legitimate Homeland Security concerns. 2-1-1 supplements the 9-1-1 system and allows for the redirection of non-emergency calls and helps connect organizations of those with goods and services to people who need help.

Legislators, mayors, council members, county commissioners and other local elected officials are inundated with calls from Texans looking for help. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember service for officials and their staff who are looking to connect constituents with community services.

Because 2-1-1 is locally controlled and operated, the system reflects local needs and can best respond to local concerns.

You Can Support 2-1-1 Through Legislative Action

Local: Write your state representatives or congressmen. Let them know that you fully support the continuation of the Texas 2-1-1 service initiative based on funding requests prepared by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Requested funding will support the continuation of 25 working 2-1-1 Area Information Centers. Together, these 25 centers give 100% of Texans access to information and referrals 100% of the time.

Write my state represtentatives.

Federal: Call 1-888-PASS-211.
During the month of February, The Calling for
2-1-1 Act will be re-introduced into Congress. This federal legislation would authorize critical funding to 2-1-1 system in every state. It is more important than ever for members of Congress to hear from their constituents that they want their senators and representatives to co-sponsor the legislation. Because the legislation is new this Congress, even if you called last year, please call again. To make this effort easy for you to promote and participate, United Way of America’s 2-1-1 team has once again set up the 1-888-PASS-211 toll-free number to connect you to your congressmen during the month of February. If your congressmen cosponsored the legislation last congressional session, thank them and ask them to cosponsor it again.

You can also write congress directly to support
2-1-1.

Write my congressional representatives.