InvestigateTV is a news magazine program airing weekdays on KCTV5, and in more than 100 television markets nationwide. Monday, June 3rd at 3 p.m., the program will highlight 211 and the importance of the HELP Act, including an interview with United Way of Greater Kansas City’s 211 executive director, Todd Jordan, PhD, and a local 211 client. We encourage you to tune in, and consider contacting your United States Senator or House of Representatives member to express your support for the HELP Act.
Every hour of every day, residents of the 23 counties surrounding Kansas City call United Way 211 in search of essential human services.
In 2023, our 211 was contacted more than 358,000 times. (combination of phone calls and website visits) This represents a 19-percent increase in contacts from the previous year. The top five needs from those contacting 211 are: utility assistance, rent/mortgage help, community shelters, legal aid, and food assistance.
United Way’s 211 service is available to all members of our community, whether you’ve fallen on hard times, just received a medical diagnosis, need mental health resources, or any other help and just don’t know where to turn, 211 is here for you.
United Way 211 also serves as a key link for emergency response coordination during disasters by connecting volunteers and donors with opportunities to help neighbors needing assistance.
Simply by dialing 211, you can connect with caring Community Resource Navigators who are trained to navigate a database of more than 7,000 community services. It is free and confidential. A database of resources is also available to search online at 211KC.org.
“Across the board, 211’s instrumental role in connecting our community to programs and services drives forward United Way’s mission of being a nonprofit ecosystem coordinator,” said Todd Jordan, PhD, United Way of Greater Kansas City vice president of community impact and 211 executive director. “By reducing barriers, creating partnerships, and innovating to meet community needs, 211 helps make Kansas City a place where everyone can thrive.”
The Human-services Emergency Logistics Program (HELP) Act is a bipartisan bill before the United States Congress that would provide critical funding to support both 211 and 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, operations nationwide.
In FY24, United Way of Greater Kansas City spent just under $2 million to operate 211 for our community. United Way receives no direct support from federal, state, or local tax dollars to offset those costs. 211 is largely funded through corporate and individual giving, with a quarter of annual funding coming from a combination of contracts for services and grants.
If enacted, the HELP Act would provide a reliable, dedicated funding stream to support 211 operations and facilitate increased nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referrals throughout the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness, and other social and human service needs.
Further Reading: The Transformative Potential of the HELP Act In Ensuring Equal Access to Human Services