WASHINGTON -- Linda Avedon wants Congress to say y-e-s to 2-1-1.
Avedon, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Stanislaus County, is looking for government aid for nationwide expansion of the 211 telephone program. It works like 911, the telephone number for emergencies. With 211, you get get quick access to information on social agencies, volunteer opportunities and other non-emergency services.
"If you have a disaster, 211 is a whole lot easier to remember," Avedon said. "Any time we can make access to services easier, it's critical to what United Way stands for."
Inaugurated by United Way in Atlanta seven years ago, 211 has since spread to portions of 22 states.
Expansion is United Way's top legislative priority. Avedon and other members of the United Way's
National Professional Council, meeting this week in the capital, are especially lobbying support for legislation introduced in September.
The bill, with 105 House members signed on as co-sponsors, would authorize $200 million annually in federal matching funds for 211 systems.
This would be the first direct federal funding for the 211 program, which until now has relied on state, local and private support.
Avedon said officials in Stanislaus and Fresno counties are investigating the possibility of inaugurating 211 service, though she indicated that formal applications may still be a year away.
"It's a pretty mammoth task," Avedon said. "The application process is not simple."
When asked why it might be worth it, Avedon cited the New Year's 1997 floods that struck Modesto. Securing help and information through 211 would have been much better than calling the myriad toll-free 800 telephone numbers then available, she said.
So far, Democratic Reps. Dennis Cardoza of Merced and Bob Matsui of Sacramento are the only lawmakers from the Central Valley to have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill to provide federal funding. Thursday, Avedon met with Rep. George Radanovich in the hope of winning his support as well. Radanovich is a Mariposa Republican whose district takes in part of Modesto.
A similar bill in the Senate has the backing of 29 senators, including California Democrats Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.
So far, though, neither the House nor Senate bill has advanced, and Avedon said the most realistic hope for this year is to simply get the bills heard by committees.
Supporters note that people can find it difficult to quickly get in touch with the more than 800,000 nonprofit organizations nationwide when looking for assistance on such matters as domestic violence, hunger and housing.
Twenty percent to 30 percent of the U.S. population has access to 211 service. Promoters say inadequate funding has hindered the program's growth.
Last year, the California Public Utilities Commission approved establishing 211 service in the state. So far, eight applications have been filed, and Los Angeles County's filing has been approved.
Bee Washington Bureau reporter Michael Doyle can be reached at 202-383-0006, or mdoyle@mcclatchydc.com.
