2-1-1 Arizona Connects State Residents to Essential Services, Receiving 208,455 Calls from March 20 to August 31, 2020

September 30, 2020

Information and Referral Service Is Available 24/7/365 Statewide in English and Spanish 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Tempe, Arizona, [September 30, 2020] – Crisis Response Network announces  that its statewide 2-1-1 Arizona Information and Referral Service program, which  connects state residents to essential services in their local communities, fielded  208,455 calls from March 20 to August 31, 2020. Calls have come in from each of  Arizona’s 15 counties. 

The top five reasons for people calling 2-1-1 Arizona in August 2020 were for  connections to potentially lifesaving services, including: 

  • Housing and Shelter 33% 
  • Utility Assistance 22% 
  • Disaster Assistance 9% 
  • Emergency Food Assistance 7% 
  • Healthcare 5%

Following a request from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, 2-1-1 Arizona launched  the state’s COVID-19 Hotline with limited live-answer service beginning on March  20, 2020. Since that date, 2-1-1 Arizona has expanded to become the state’s go to resource for health and human services, including general information and  referral service, eviction prevention, and the Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling  Program. With funding from the Arizona Department of Economic Security, 24/7/365 live-answer service with English and Spanish-speaking operators went  live on July 1, 2020. 

Due to funding challenges, live-answer service was suspended for 2-1-1 Arizona  in July, 2019. Since then, CRN worked diligently to identify short-term funding  partners to restore live-answer operations. 

“Live-answer service provides a personal, compassionate, human connection that people deserve – especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Justin  Chase, President/CEO of Crisis Response Network. “It also allows us to better  assist callers with any and all needs they may have.” 

Since the resumption of live-answer service on March 20, 2020, the greatest  community need identified has been for rental assistance and eviction prevention. Many callers are unable to get access to rental assistance due to increased  demand or there is insufficient rental assistance in particular areas. 

In addition to the phone line, 2-1-1 Arizona’s various services also can be accessed  through its website, www.211arizona.org and mobile app. 

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