California officials have taken another step toward giving residents a three-digit telephone number for referrals to health and social service agencies.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously today to adopt procedures for establishing a statewide 2-1-1 hot line similar to those already used in ten other states. Eventually, dialing that number will connect callers to a regional clearinghouse that can provide information about local non-profits that can help them. The service is free.
P.U.C. President Michael Peevey says having a unified, easy-to-remember phone number will let social service providers reach people who may be too poor, too overwhelmed or too discouraged to make several calls for help.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 4:48 pm