Presenters: Chris Juett, FCFH-Iowa, Inc. Margaret VanGinkel, ISU Extension and Outreach

1. Presenters: Chris Juett, FCFH-Iowa, Inc. Margaret VanGinkel, ISU Extension and Outreach

2. What is 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is the national hotline number for access to health and human services information. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that connects individuals and families in need with the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. • “911” for Human Services • One call connects a person to information about all available human services

3. Types of Assistance • Emergency Preparedness/Recovery (special needs registration, disaster information, road closures, clean up information) • Basic Human Needs Resources (food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance) • Physical and Mental Health Resources (health insurance programs, Medicaid/Medicare, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention) • Employment Supports (financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs) • Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities (adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services) • Support for Children, Youth and Families (childcare, after-school programs, family resource centers, summer camps, mentoring, tutoring, protective services)

4. 2-1-1 Across the USA • 2-1-1 is a national number, it was assigned by the FCC in July 2000 to reach across the nation • Currently, 2-1-1 is active in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada • 39 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have 100% coverage • It serves 285 million Americans, approximately 91% of the US population

5. 2-1-1 in Iowa • There are seven 2-1-1 Centers that provide coverage to all 99 Iowa counties.

6. 2013 Data – Iowa Calls • 2-1-1 Centers answered 110,257 calls. • Individuals most frequently called for assistance in the following areas: • Income Support and Assistance • Housing • Utilities • Food and Meals • Individual/Family Supports

7. Benefits The service is intended to be a benefit: • To Users • To the Community • To Emergency Preparedness

8. Benefits to Users • 2-1-1 is simple and easy to remember, and offers one point of contact. • 2-1-1 calls are answered 24/7, with bi-lingual and Relay Iowa services available. • 2-1-1 provides trained professionals to assist callers. • 2-1-1 helps with rumor information control in times of emergencies.

9. Benefits to the Community • 2-1-1 helps citizens navigate the complicated web of health and human service programs. • 2-1-1 provides an essential public service to the community by providing one central resource for all health and human services information and referral. • 2-1-1 reduces government bureaucracy and provides control to local communities who know best how to assist their citizens. • 2-1-1 is a useful planning tool to understand a community’s changing needs.

10. Benefits to Emergency Preparedness • 2-1-1 is a critical information system, which is necessary prior to, during, and after a community crisis such as a flood, fire, attack, or other local or national tragedy. • 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs. • 2-1-1 maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system. 9-1-1 dispatchers can refer individuals calling 9-1-1 for health and human service related information to 2-1-1.

11. Emergency Preparedness/Recovery • The seven 2-1-1 Centers have a plan in place to push 2-1-1 calls to another 2-1-1 Center if needed during a disaster. • The 2-1-1 Centers have set up their own list servto communicate with each other during a disaster. • There are currently two staff from two different 2-1-1s who serve on the IDHRC Board.

12. ISU Extension • Serves 25 counties in Iowa: majority of the counties are located in rural Iowa, limiting the services that are available. • Serves on the IDHRC committee and board. • ISU Extension and Outreach supports the majority of 2-1-1 funding with minimal financial support from United Way. • Majority of staff are I & R Certified, with remaining working on certification.

13. Des Moines • 2-1-1 is funded by United Way of Central Iowa and partnered with the American Red Cross to provide services. • Has memorandums of understanding with two County Emergency Management Offices. • Holds other memorandums of understanding. • 9-1-1 • Hospitals • Transportation Management Association • Has a staff person who is a Government Liaison at the State EOC with the Red Cross.

14. FCFH-Iowa, Inc. – Cedar Rapids • Serves 39 counties in eastern Iowa. • Has letters of agreement with seven counties to provide assistance to the County Emergency Operations Center during a disaster. • Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Johnson, Jones and Linn • Has an agreement with Next Era Energy Duane Arnold Energy Center to be the point of contact for the public in the unlikely event that there is a disaster at DAEC. • Active in three COADs (LAP-AID; Johnson County COAD and Black Hawk County COAD).

15. Omaha • Serves the entire State of Nebraska and 9 counties in Southwest Iowa and Quad Cities. • Has Memorandum of Understanding with Douglas County EMA in Nebraska and Clinton County EMA in Iowa. • 2008 took property damage reports for the Millard/Omaha Nebraska wind storms and tornado. • 2010 due to the floods assisted Norfolk, NE with coordinating volunteers and Long Term Recovery. • With DCEMA created a database to take real time damage reports. • 2011 answered flood related calls from 33 counties and prepared weekly reports for 7 EMA’s.

16. Quad Cities • Manages 2-1-1 for Clinton, Scott and Muscatine Counties. Calls are answered by Omaha 2-1-1 Center. • Member of VOAD for the Quad Cities • Coordinated flood efforts for the 2001 and 2009 floods in the Quad Cities Area.

17. Dubuque • Serves Dubuque, Delaware & Jackson Counties • Has an agreement with Dubuque County Emergency Management office to take calls on 2-1-1 in the event of a disaster • Project Concern (2-1-1 sponsor) co-chairs the local VOAD and coordinates this with United Way and AmeriCorps • In 2010 and 2011, 2-1-1 answered flood damage calls and Project Concern provided case management (for those receiving assistance from FEMA) through the Long Term Recovery Committee

18. LaCrosse • Great Rivers 2-1-1, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, serves five counties in northeast Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. • GR2-1-1 has Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Emergency Management offices in Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties and is in the process of finalizing an MOU with Allamakee County. • In the MOUs it is stated that GR2-1-1 will assist County Emergency Management during disasters, i.e., assist in taking damage reports and volunteer names. • GR2-1-1 is a member of VOAD and recently participated in an oil spill response training for a hypothetical railcar derailment in the Mississippi River at a point where three states meet (Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin).