To link Kansans to programs providing assistance, Governor Mark Parkinson has designated United Way of the Plains the lead entity for 2-1-1 services in Kansas.

“Kansans across the state count on this free service to find a job, feed their families or receive disaster assistance,” said Parkinson. “I am pleased to declare the United Way of the Plains the official leader of the 2-1-1 program as they have already been a leader in providing this important service to Kansans. This program makes our communities safer, stronger and better prepared in the face of everyday challenges.”

United Way of the Plains established a statewide 2-1-1 call center in February 2006 to help Kansans navigate through the 18,540 nonprofit organizations in the state. It provides a critical role in connecting citizens to programs that offer disaster prevention, community preparedness and response information, and public and community health information. Every Kansas resident with touch phone service can dial the 2-1-1 telephone at no charge to the caller and a highly trained call center representative will connect the individual to program resources available.

The 2-1-1 service is widely used among United Way organizations around the country and has been designated by the Federal Communications Commission as the national telephone number for information and referral on human services.

For more information on the 2-1-1 program in Kansas, please visit http://www.unitedwayplains.org/211kansas.htm. To view the full executive order, please visit: http://governor.ks.gov/issues-a-initiatives/executive-orders.

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