Help For Children And Families Is A Phone Call Away

Posted May 2, 2007
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Children and Families Commission Continues Support of "2-1-1" by Funding Referral Services for Orange County's Children

IRVINE - Orange County's 2-1-1 telephone referral system has been awarded $80,000 by the Children and Families Commission of Orange County in order to maintain and enhance free referrals to community health and human services for children and families. More than 20% of the daily phone calls received by 2-1-1 are from callers seeking assistance and information specific to children up to the age of five.

"The toll-free 2-1-1 referral system is an important link to programs and services funded by the Children and Families Commission that support children and families in Orange County—from health insurance to early literacy. This toll-free program allows callers to get information on a variety of programs 24 hours a day, everyday," said Sally Snyder, Chair of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County.

Many parents and caregivers often go without necessary and readily available services because they do not know where to find the services or how to choose the most appropriate agency to meet their needs. 2-1-1 Orange County is an efficient and effective information and referral service providing information on shelter programs, prenatal care, early education, immunizations and a variety of programs and services that are critical to families with young children in Orange County.

"It wasn't too long ago when our children were taught to dial "0" in case on an emergency. Beginning in the late 1960's, 9-1-1 was identified as the universal call-in number for emergency services across our country. Now 2-1-1 service is available in over 41 states, and the Children and Families Commission is proud to be a supporting partner in Orange County," said Snyder.

For more information on the referral services available in Orange County through 2-1-1 visit www.211OC.org.

The Children and Families Commission of Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10 that adds a 50-cent sales tax on tobacco products sold in California to fund education, health and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age five and their families. For more information, please visit www.occhildrenandfamilies.com.