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<br />11 agency inn recognized leader in providing comprehensive and innovative crisis intervention and
<br />information and referral services, proposes to establish an N11/211 three digit non -emergency and
<br />Community information calling system to serve the Treasure Coast region, which will relieve the bon
<br />urden
<br />the 911 emergency system provide a single point of access for persons needing to locate the community
<br />that can provide assistance, and strengthen the entire conummity by ensuring that everyone of its
<br />citizens is aware of, understands and makes use of ALL of its resources.
<br />We invite you to attend an informational meeting to be held on Wednesday July 22,1998,10:00
<br />at Indian River Community College, Maim A.M.Campus, Room B120, 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort
<br />Pierce, Florida. The United Way, the Florida Alliance of Information and Referral Services and Indian
<br />River Community College have joined with CLIR as principal members of a collaborative of agencies
<br />which has been fob to facilitate the establishment of an N11/211 system in Florida. Top offrciaLs/
<br />representatives from the Faders! Communications Commission (FCC), the Florida Public Service
<br />Commission, Bell South and A T & T, U.S. federal government and the State of Florida (including U.S.
<br />Senators Bob GrAhmn. snd Connie 1:c, LtS. !
<br />coon commissions Rep: erentative Marl: Fae�•, .rd Governor Lawton Chiles),
<br />county (commission chairs and county administrators), county sheriff's offices and local
<br />police departments who operate 911 systems (sheriffs and police chiefs), and other interested agencies have
<br />been invited to attend this meeting and be part of this important collaborative effort. A petition has been
<br />submitted to the FCC requesting that the 211 dialing code be assigned as the national number for
<br />community information and resources. The meeting agenda will include an overview of the petition, the
<br />operation and management design of the N11/211 system (based on models initiated in Georgia and
<br />Maryland). and discussion on start up costs and long term funding for the system technical/logistical
<br />considerations and infrastructure issues (such as networkmWinterfacing the 211 system with the 911
<br />system), marketing/public awareness plans, and foaming a board of advisors to develop/recomm erid
<br />standards for and oversee the 211 system service delivery.
<br />The U.S. Justice Department reports (compiled from reports submitted by local law, entorcement
<br />that 268,10 0 calls per day are made to the 911 system in the Treasagencies)
<br />ion Itis reported that over
<br />60% of the calls to 911 are non-emergerncs,ure Coast reg
<br />, coffin
<br />system, oon These calls overload the 911
<br />divert Police Officers from that primary mission of readily responding to agencies, and force
<br />law enforceme nt agencies to become response -oriented and eliminate proactive opportunities to practice
<br />community policing or engage in effective problem solving. Since its inception in 1977, CLIR has received
<br />hundreds of calls daily with requests for assistance from individuals and families facing serious threats to
<br />life, health and mental well -bang. of the calls received at CLLR in 1997, 13% involved immediate bas ic
<br />needs (food, shelter/housing, dothing/material goods, etc.), 9 % involved financial assistance needs
<br />(rentaUmortgage assistance, threat of eviction.utility cut-OMetc.), 37% involved life problem situations
<br />(suicide.child abuse, domestic violence, teat be
<br />tavior problems, substance abuse; counseting(support
<br />pups, etc.), 8% involved healtb/medical care needs and 7% involved criminal justicedlegal service needs
<br />(legal aid, ittm 9rabor/naturaluuon, sexual assault/rape, ex -offender support services, gangs/cults, racial
<br />care services,
<br />e, etc.) tal qua remaining calls involved needs relating to education, child care, aging and elder
<br />care services, emvir quality, disaster relief, translators,
<br />government services, busineWconsumer services, etc. For the individuals volunteer opportunities,
<br />ri
<br />require urgent and critical attention. BecauseCandidates fora 9these calls, their Heads
<br />emergency services, often these calls are often erred by local appropriate enforcement s call or
<br />to to
<br />handle. U.S. Attorney General Janet Remo best states the overall need for and bottom line effect CLIR
<br />NI 1/211 system quite simply- The 911 system is tremendously overburdened As a result, lives are lost.
<br />By sending the calls to the right Plane, we will save lives.,,
<br />The Treasure Coast region would be only the fourth area in the country to have an N11/211 system Pilot
<br />programs in Atlanta, Georgia (United Way 211), Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore City Police Department
<br />311), and Connecticut (211 Infoline) have been extremely successful in providing this highly visible and free service for the public, connecting the general public with the legeteric
<br />wealth of services that exist le the
<br />cosh' which can meet their needs, and relieving the burden on the 911 emergency system
<br />Your attendance will provide a vital Perspective and allow us to have a meaningful exchange of ideas on
<br />how to adapt the pilot models to best meet the needs of Florida and its Treasure Coast region and start the
<br />Process of implementing a N11/211
<br />up the meeting room facili to dialing system to serve our community. So that we can adequately set
<br />ty accommodate all the participants, Please RSVP by Friday July 17th If you
<br />are personally unable to attend, ere ;could greatly appreciate your sending a representative in Your stead
<br />who has decision making authority for your agency.
<br />If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact me at 561-286-1126. We I
<br />forward to seeing you on July 22°d. oalC
<br />Sincerely,
<br />Gail M. Sudore
<br />Executive Director
<br />July 21, 1998
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