Background

 What is Information & Referral (I&R)?

Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services-from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they do not know where to start. I&R is a way for an individual to access the information on the available resources.

 What is 211?

2-1-1 serves approximately 137 million Americans - over 46% of the US population; 169 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 32 states (including 13 states with 100% coverage) plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. (see more)

 Why do we care about a coordinated state database?

Having a statewide I&R database will enable individuals to search the entire state for social services programs, and thus find the help they need. Perhaps Omaha has a specific program someone in Holdrege needs. Through a statewide 211 service, the individual in Holdrege could find out about the program in Omaha - as well as checking for any other similar programs nearer to home - all in one stop.

 How will people access the information?

The PPC will generate a searchable web site to provide the statewide I&R information to the public. Also, 211 operators will be able to utilize the statewide database when making referrals.

 What are we building on?

The PPC is building this statewide database on the existing databases of multiple state entities, such as Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, United Way of the Midlands, Nebraska Resource Referral System, and Health & Human Service for the Nebraska Panhandle.

 Who's involved?

There are a variety of state database owners involved in contributing to this effort, included the entities listed above. The project also has several national partners, such as Alliance for Information & Referral Systems (AIRS), and I&R players from Michigan, Greater D.C., etc.

 Who is funding this project?

The Nebraska Statewide I&R implementation is being funded via a TOP (Technology Opportunities Program) Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce - National Telecommunication and Information Administration.

 What resources are currently available?

Click on I&R Links to your left for links to existing I&R resources in Nebraska and a few other states.