ENROLLED HOUSE
CONCURRENT
        RESOLUTION NO. 1017	By: Peters of the House

		and

Anderson, Adelson, Aldridge, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brogdon, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Coffee, Corn, Crain, Crutchfield, Easley, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Ford, Garrison, Gumm, Halligan, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Mike), Jolley, Justice, Lamb, Laster, Leftwich, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, Myers, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Russell, Schulz, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sweeden, Sykes, Wilson and Wyrick of the Senate

A Concurrent Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to support the Calling for 2-1-1 Act; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community; and

WHEREAS, services that are offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community but every 2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis; and

WHEREAS, primarily through private and state funding, 2-1-1 is available to approximately seventy-six percent (76%) of the United States population, with two hundred forty active 2-1-1 systems in forty-seven states; and

WHEREAS, 2-1-1 call centers nationwide received 14,187,192 calls in 2008, which was a forty-four percent (44%) increase over the number of calls made in 2007 which was, in turn, a twenty-one percent (21%) increase over the number of calls made in 2006; and

WHEREAS, due to the economic downturn in 2008, 2-1-1 call centers reported a dramatic increase in the number of calls by those seeking rental or mortgage assistance, paying utility bills, and assistance related to job loss; and

WHEREAS, because of the expanding reach and increased visibility of 2-1-1, many 2-1-1 call centers are experiencing a lack of resources that are needed for adequate telecommunications infrastructure, to provide appropriate staffing levels and staff training, to maintain services twenty-four (24) hours a day, to ensure complete and accurate informational databases, and to reach rural populations; and

WHEREAS, the Calling for 2-1-1 Act has been introduced in the Congress of the United States, which, if passed, would provide the needed financial support to 2-1-1 calling centers by authorizing funds through the United States Department of Health and Human Services to help implement and sustain 2-1-1 nationwide.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to support the federal Calling for 2-1-1 Act which will establish a matching grant program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that will provide 2-1-1 call centers with the funds necessary to meet their specific needs.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to each member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 8th day of April, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Adopted by the Senate the 4th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate