Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo announced today that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed their bill that will activate the 2-1-1 New York State information and referral service during a state disaster emergency, and add the chief professional officer of 2-1-1 NYS to the governor’s disaster preparedness commission.
“Our residents need to know they can get all of the information they need in a timely manner during a state of emergency, as with the recent winter storm, and this legislation will ensure that the 2-1-1 helpline is a go-to resource in this regard,” said Harckham. “And by giving 2-1-1 a seat at the table with the governor and pertinent state agencies during a disaster, people will be helped more quickly and connected to the assistance and answers they are looking for. I thank Assemblywoman Lupardo for her strong support of 2-1-1 statewide and Governor Hochul for signing this legislation.”
“2-1-1’s around-the-clock information and referral services are an invaluable resource to communities across the state,” said Lupardo. “The signing of this legislation is well-deserved recognition for their vital disaster response efforts locally and statewide, and represents a critical step in strengthening the state’s emergency response plan. I’d like to thank Senator Harckham for his partnership and Governor Hochul for her support of this important initiative.”
Under the new law, the public must be provided information on plans to coordinate the use of resources and personnel for service statewide during and after disasters. These plans include the services that will be delivered to aid residents and reduce human suffering from the emergency.
Harckham and Lupardo’s newly enacted bill (S.8553A / A.9526) requires that when information is being provided to the public in emergencies, it should be done in coordination with any state recognized information and referral services, like 2-1-1 NYS.
In addition, the Disaster Preparedness Commission is comprised currently of the commissioners, directors and / or chairpersons of 29 State agencies and one volunteer organization, the American Red Cross. This new law brings the 2-1-1 executive into the commission, which will facilitate efforts to coordinate 2-1-1 NYS and local emergency management offices to respond to non-emergency requests for assistance. The governor has the power to activate 2-1-1 NYS when there is a threat or occurrence of a disaster.
While initially developed to provide access to human services, the 2-1-1 helpline has proven to be an invaluable asset in disaster response and long-term recovery during snow and ice storms, flood, and most recently, during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2-1-1 relieves 911 and other government agencies of calls for non-emergency assistance.
The FY 2023 State Budget included $2.4 million for 2-1-1 services, a $400,000 increase from the previous year. This investment will allow 2-1-1 to develop a statewide resource database of services, a centralized website to facilitate resource inquiries and provide reimbursements for activation in areas experiencing a disaster.
Nationally certified call specialists who use a database of verified resources to assist callers staff the 2-1-1 NYS contact centers. 2-1-1 is a public / private partnership that includes United Way of New York State, local United Way organizations, county and local governments and private philanthropy. In New York State, there are ten 2-1-1 regions (including New York City, where 2-1-1 is folded into the 3-1-1 system), and eight contact centers.
Kelly Dodd, Director of 2-1-1 NYS, noted a real-time example of why it is essential that 2-1-1 has a seat on the State’s Disaster Commission: “211 Western NY has been working hard all weekend supporting Buffalo and Erie County communities as we grapple with the blizzard. 211 Western NY is working with Erie County, submitting requests for evacuation from stranded motorists, people stuck in homes without heat, people running out of food, as well as those who need assistance with snow removal. While 211 was not a published number it was working in lockstep with the County resources to provide additional support and capacity to their hotline.”
“The 211 Helpline has demonstrated time and again over the past 20 years to be the most efficient and effective way to connect millions of New Yorkers in need with the programs and services that can assist them,” said Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam, which operates the 211 Helpline in the Hudson Valley and Long Island regions. “Including someone from the 211 Network in the State’s Disaster Preparedness Commission will ensure that during times of emergency, New Yorkers get real-time and accurate information around health and basic human needs. We can’t thank Senator Harckham and Assemblywoman Lupardo enough for their leadership and advocacy in getting this bill passed and signed by the Governor.”
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org.