Whereas information and referral (I&R) services link
the consumer with a need or problem with the most appropriate service that can
address that need or solve that problem;
Whereas quality I&R services are the keystone point of
entry to the entire human services structure delivery system;
Whereas I&R services have been recognized in Federal
legislation for more than 35 years since the 1973 reauthorization of the Older
Americans Act of 1965 and subsequently included the establishment of the
national Eldercare Locator and the development of the Aging and Disability
Resource Center;
Whereas the United States is currently served by
information and referral through 2–1–1 programs, aging I&R services, Aging
and Disability Resource Centers, child care resource and referral services,
military family centers, and other specialty I&R services;
Whereas informed individuals who understand the variety of
services available are better equipped to make decisions;
Whereas in 1997, the National 2–1–1 Initiative was
established with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, creating the first
24-hour telephone information and referral service using the easy-to-remember
2–1–1 dialing code for access;
Whereas in 2000, the Federal Communications Commission
reserved the 2–1–1 dialing code for community information and referral
services, intended as an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number
that would act as a vital connection between individuals and families in need
and appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies,
including in times of disaster;
Whereas the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
has been providing professional standards and credentialing programs for those
operating I&R services;
Whereas expanding access to information about and
referrals to services provides individuals with lower-cost and safer options
for managing their needs, and is likely to reduce confusion, frustration, and
inaccessibility to services; and
Whereas requests for assistance through Information and
Referral and 2–1–1’s have increased across the country due to the economic
crisis: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of
Representatives—
(1)expresses support
for the designation of a National Information and Referral Services Day to
raise public awareness about the existence and importance of information and
referral services available to all Americans and to more effectively target
these services to reach those most in need;
(2)supports
activities in communities across the Nation involving schools, nonprofit
organizations, businesses, and other entities to ensure information and
referral services are part of everyday life, including emergency preparedness;
and
(3)reaffirms the
importance of clear and consistent professional standards to govern every
aspect of quality information and referral services.