2013-J425

Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Monday, February 11, 2013, as 2-1-1 Day in the State of New York

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2013-J425


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim Monday, February 11, 2013, as 2-1-1 Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious programs that serve to assist in safeguarding
the security and welfare of their neighbors and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Monday, February 11, 2013, as
2-1-1 Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 is an easy to remember number to call when people need
help or access to human services; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 was set aside by the Federal Communications Commission
in 2000 for health and human services information and referral; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Public Service Commission awarded the
right to use the 2-1-1 number to 2-1-1 New York, a subsidiary corpo-
ration of United Way of New York State, resulting in 2-1-1 services
provided collaboratively by local United Ways, the City of New York, and
private non-profit members of the NYS Alliance of Information and Refer-
ral Systems; and
WHEREAS, With approximately 1.5 million not-for-profit organizations
in the United States, plus scores of local, state and federal government
agencies, finding help can be intimidating and confusing; furthermore,
people who want to give help often don't know where to begin; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 regional call centers are nationally accredited and
staffed by trained specialists who assess callers' needs, provide infor-
mation and refer them to the help they need; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 is free and accessible to everyone in over 200
languages; information is also available on regional websites with
comprehensive databases that include government and not-for-profit
services; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 services are provided by seven regional call centers to
over 93% of the state's population; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, over 2.87 million 2-1-1 calls were handled along
with 11.6 million hits to the regional websites; top requests were for
consumer services, basic needs, and income support and employment; and
WHEREAS, While initially developed with day-to-day human services in
mind, 2-1-1 in New York State (and across the country) has proven to be
an asset in disaster response and long-term recovery, relieving 911 and
other government agencies from a flood of non emergency calls; and
WHEREAS, Examples of recent 2-1-1 disaster responses include Super
Storm Sandy, Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee, snow storms in Western
New York, flooding in the Southern Tier and Hudson Valley, the plane
crash and hepatitis outreach in Western New York, and the community
center shooting in Binghamton; and
WHEREAS, In response to Super Storm Sandy, 2-1-1 handled over 25,000
disaster related calls on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, with
another 152,000 handled by 2-1-1 at 311, and 1.85 million disaster
searches on regional websites; top requests were for help with food,
power outages, shelter, disaster financial assistance, and structural
clean-up; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when programs
of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention,
they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Monday, February 11,
2013, as 2-1-1 Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.

actions

  • 01 / Feb / 2013
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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