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CrisisLink Launches 2-1-1 on Feb. 11th to Connect Northern Virginians to Critical Services
Northern Virginia 2-1-1 will complete 2-1-1 VIRGINIA statewide system.
ARLINGTON, VA (February 4, 2008)—Starting Monday, February 11th, 2-1-1 service will be available throughout Northern Virginia seven days a week from 8 am to midnight, completing the 2-1-1VIRGINIA statewide system for free Information and Referrals (I&R) on health and human services. Just like 9-1-1 is the three-digit number for emergencies, 2-1-1 is the FCC-designated national three digit number to get information about health and human resources. CrisisLink—a nonprofit providing hotlines for the region since 1969—will answer 2-1-1 calls in Northern Virginia.
“2-1-1 is for everyone, no matter what age or income,”explains CrisisLink’s Executive Director Carol Loftur-Thun. “CrisisLink will help Northern Virginians navigate our increasingly complex social services system, and help people find resources to prevent as well as solve problems. For example, 2-1-1 can help you find a day program for your aging parent with early stage dementia, or daycare for your toddler, and more. CrisisLink is proud to be a partner in the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA system.”
2-1-1 is not only critical for people looking for help everyday; it can also be critical for public information during disasters and emergencies. During and after the wildfires in San Diego, calls jumped from 3,000 to 25,000 a day, and 2-1-1 provided up-to-date, accurate information for those seeking shelter, information on road closures, and other critical information. The National Governors’ Association cited 2-1-1 as a “key strategy for state community preparedness and response plans.” 2-1-1 can provide rumor control, and help coordinate volunteers and donations.
2-1-1 can also reduce the burden and costs for tax payers, nonprofits, governments, and other human services providers. According to a cost-benefitstudy conducted by United Way of America and the Alliance of Information and Referral, a region like Northern Virginia could save up to $518,000 the first year if 2-1-1 takes 54,000 calls in employees' time away from work, social service professionals' time, non-emergency calls to 9-1-1, and other costs to businesses, residents and localities.
“We are very excited to be selected as the 2-1-1 provider for Northern Virginia,” says CrisisLink’s 2-1-1 Call Center Director Jamie Carter, “By building on nearly 40 years of providing crisis hotlines and connecting over a quarter of a million callers to community resources, CrisisLink will be able to provide high quality 2-1-1 service for Northern Virginia while saving taxpayers time and money.”
2-1-1 has been available in the rest of the Commonwealth since February 2006. 2-1-1 VIRGINIA is a service of the Virginia Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Council of Community Services, CrisisLink, Family Resource and Referral Center, The Planning Council, United Way of Central Virginia, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, and the Virginia Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission is partnering with CrisisLink on 2-1-1 by providing a database of over 4,400 community resources in Northern Virginia.
“We’re grateful to Governor Kaine, the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Department of Social Services, Northern Virginia Regional Commission, Nonprofit Roundtable, Council of Community Services and 2-1-1 partners around the state for helping to make 2-1-1 a reality in Northern Virginia,” says Ms. Loftur-Thun.
CrisisLink saves lives and prevents tragedies, giving vital support to those facing life crises, trauma, and suicide, and provides information, education and links to community resources to empower people to help themselves. Since 1969, CrisisLink has answered more than half a million crisis calls, responded to over 20,000 potential suicides, and provided more than a quarter million referrals.
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