CHARTER
2-1-1 Excellence Everywhere in Illinois consists of organizations and other entities that are committed to the support and development of the best possible 2-1-1 information & referral system for all the residents of the state.
The goal of 2-1-1 Illinois is to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects the people of Illinois with vital community services, disaster response and relief services in times of disaster, and volunteer opportunities.
All our work is guided by the following principles:
• 2-1-1 works best as a private/public partnership
• 2-1-1 is an excellent tool to promote self-sufficiency
• 2-1-1 belongs to the community, and the groups that work to develop and provide the service who are accountable to the community
• 2-1-1 is a critical component of national, regional, and local disaster relief and recovery efforts
• 2-1-1 will work with and support access to specialized I&Rs
Background
In the late 1990’s the Illinois Alliance of Information and Referral Systems brought 2-1-1 to the attention of information and referral providers. Working with United Way of Illinois, legislation was developed in 2001 but it took the passage of HB0439 in 2003 to create the Human Services 211 Collaboration Board. The eight member board represents the Governor’s office and seven state agencies:
Illinois Commerce Commission, the Department of Public Health
Department of Children and Family Services
Department of Employment Security
Department of Health and Family Services
Department of Human Services
Department of Public Health and the Department on Aging
An Advisory Board was authorized by Governor Rod Blagojevich which does not currently meet.
The bill charged the Collaboration Board with the responsibility of awarding 3-6 pilot sites in Illinois. No funding was attached to the bill; information and referral providers already in operations are expected to have funding established.
Proposed Timeline
1. Pilots up and running in first quarter of calendar year 2008
2. State Education/Media Campaign
3. State Plan for Illinois
a. By third quarter calendar year 2008 RPF process is defined
b. State plan to be completed by fourth quarter calendar year 2008 or first quarter calendar year 2009
c. Implementation to begin by beginning of second quarter calendar year 2009
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
• Request materials to become a local Ambassador
• Send email to subscribe to monthly updates
Request Info• Host a 2-1-1 community forum
REFERENCES
Illinois Organizations with Leadership Roles (2-1-1 Illinois Founding Members)
311 City Services--Chicago
AgeOptions
American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
Catholic Charities of Metro Chicago
DuPage County
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Heartland Alliance
IBM
Illinois Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
Illinois Network of Child Care Resource &
Referral Agencies
Illinois Terrorism Task Force
Jewish Federation
McHenry County Crisis Program
PATH Crisis Center
United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way of Illinois
United Way of McHenry County
United Way of McLean County
United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of the Quad Cities
Voices for Illinois Children
National Organizations with Leadership Roles
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
United Way of America
Public Policy
Federal Calling for 2-1-1 Act
Illinois Statues