U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, Gov. Martin O'Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Larry E. Walton, President and Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of Central Maryland, have launched new federal funding efforts to support the work of Maryland 2-1-1, a 24-hour health and human services information and referral service hotline for Marylanders.
Currently operating in its pilot phase, with funding support from Gov. O'Malley's 2009 budget, and contributions from the United Way and other private and nonprofit agencies, Maryland 2-1-1 provides expert assistance for a range of health and human service problems. Open 24/7 and operating in more than 150 languages, 2-1-1 cuts through the maze of Maryland's estimated 500 toll-free and other "help" numbers for health and human services. Marylanders who've lost a job, a home, or who need to know where to get services for their aging father or who to turn to for mental health counseling can rely on 2-1-1 for information and referrals.
Sen. Mikulski has requested $800,000 in the fiscal year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill to help Maryland 2-1-1 transition from a pilot program to a permanent one. Her funding request has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.
Sen. Mikulski is also an original cosponsor of federal legislation, the Calling for 2-1-1 Act, to provide matching grants to states to help them fund and expand existing 2-1-1 services. The lack of a dedicated and reliable federal funding stream currently prevents many states from expanding their 2-1-1 services.
"Maryland 2-1-1 is part of a national movement in need of a dedicated national funding source. Families today may be facing tough times: a recent lay-off, an aging father. They need to know where to turn for quick referrals, services and support. Maryland 2-1-1 is on their side," Sen. Mikulski says. "But while we're waiting for Congress to act on 2-1-1 legislation, we didn't want to wait to meet a compelling human need. I'm proud to team up with Governor O'Malley and our private and nonprofit partners to keep Maryland 2-1-1 working for Marylanders, and to keep hope and help alive this holiday season."
"In these difficult times, too many of our families are struggling to make ends meet. On this week of Thanksgiving, we want families to know that the Maryland 2-1-1 Center connects our families and most vulnerable citizens with state resources and initiatives like job assistance, heating and energy assistance, health care, and foreclosure prevention services. It's a one-stop shop which cuts back on bureaucracy so families can get the help they need in a timely, efficient matter," says Gov. O'Malley. "I want to thank Senator Mikulski for her leadership in fighting to deliver funding for 2-1-1 to our State. Our message to Maryland families is simple: help is just a phone call away."
"2-1-1 Maryland makes it easy to find help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week simply by dialing an easy-to-remember number, " says Pat Hanberry, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Frederick County, one of the four 2-1-1 Maryland call centers. "This pilot has been a great example of partnership between federal, state and local governments with corporate and nonprofit support to assist Marylanders at a time when they need help most. "
Maryland 2-1-1 provides easy to remember, no hassle access to comprehensive, up-to-date information at any time. Calls to 2-1-1 are free and completely confidential. Between April 1 and September 30 of this year, 2-1-1 call specialists have answered 114,151 requests for help, service and support.
Examples of how Maryland 2-1-1 has helped Marylanders include:
• Louise Hughes originally called 2-1-1 for assistance with tax preparation. She could no longer afford to pay for help filing and was looking for a resource. After speaking with one of the 2-1-1 call specialists about the economy and difficult times, she was told that she was eligible for assistance with utility bills and health care. She received help with both.
• A 32-year-old man was recently laid off from his job. His wife's income was not enough to support them and their young children. The 2-1-1 call specialist was able to direct the caller to his local employment resource center where he could search for job opportunities and get assistance updating his resume.
• A 32-year-old mother of three was trying to make ends meet but got a notice that her electricity was about to be cut off, and her family had no money for groceries that week. A 2-1-1 call specialist helped direct the caller to local agencies that would assist her with energy cut-off notices, and a food pantry where she could go to make sure her children didn't go hungry.
Source: Senator Barbara Mikulski
Writer: Walaika Haskins