2-1-1

2-1-1 is a proposed universal telephone number that would be used by people in need of information for health and human services.

Why 211? There are many reasons why we support 2-1-1, including:

• 211 would provide better service and access to human services, create efficiencies, complement emergency systems, and create an "information utility" that would provide data on an estimated 1 million calls in Pennsylvania for needed services.
• Information and referral systems are fragmented, duplicative, and limited in response capabilities.
• 2-1-1 serves approximately 190 million Americans - over 65% of the US population; 169 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 41 states (including 14 states with 100% coverage) plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
  • Pennsylvania is now the largest state in the nation not to provide 2-1-1

Pennsylvania Activities: “Join … Endorse … Encourage” Campaign is a regional effort to build support for 2-1-1.

National Activities: The Calling for 2-1-1 Acts, S. 211 and H.R. 898 are bi-partisan federal proposals that would provide resources to Pennsylvania to plan a statewide system.

Pre-K Today is a statewide non-partisan campaign launched by a broad-based coalition from around the Commonwealth, including UWSEPA and many other United Ways, committed to efforts to advance dedicated state financing for voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs designed to assure that Pennsylvania's children enter school ready to learn and prepared to succeed.