Commentary: 2-1-1 brings both sides of political aisle together

Who says Democrats and Republicans can't agree on anything?

Earlier this week a bipartisan coalition of elected officials marked 2-1-1 Day by joining forces on Capitol Hill to support the passage of the 2-1-1 Act, which authorizes federal funding of $700 million during the next six years, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to implement and sustain 2-1-1 nationwide.

The group included Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Elizabeth Dole and Ken Salazar. More than 120 additional members of congress are supporting the legislation.

2-1-1 is an information and referral line that helps people navigate the ever-increasing maze of health and human services providers. Locally, the Pikes Peak United Way is the sponsoring organization for 2-1-1 and has served more than 41,000 people since launching the program in 2004.

As part of the act, states would be asked to designate, if they have not already done so, a lead entity that would develop a plan for implementation and administration of the money. States also would be required to provide a 50 percent match in order to draw down federal dollars.

The value of a national 2-1-1 system is estimated to be $1.1 billion during a 10-year period and $130 million during the first year.

"Although established as a readily accessible phone number capable of assisting residents with needed services, 2-1-1 is also a critical tool in times of disaster," said Amy Dinofrio, the Pikes Peak United Way's 2-1-1 supervisor. "Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the necessity for 2-1-1 as a means of aggregating resources and enhancing post-disaster assistance has become obvious."

2-1-1s involvement after 9/11 and its assistance with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the heat waves in St. Louis and the fires in San Diego and Arizona have shown that the hotline has consistently provided residents with invaluable information and resources, freeing up 9-1-1 operators for life-and-death situations.

"Having such a strong communications platform in the Pikes Peak region in case of emergency is indeed an asset, one we all have a vested interest in keeping financially strong," Dinofrio said. "Locally, we saw the benefit when 2-1-1 was able to assist both victims of the Castle West apartment fire, as well as those wishing to help.

"Federal funding is a plus for long-term sustainability, but appropriately, we will have to continue doing our part in providing local funding for this vital service."

For a list of congressional co-sponsors of the bill (HR221/S211) or to read the full text, visit http://thomas.loc.gov. To encourage our local representatives to vote for the act call (888) PASS-211.

More information also is available from the Pikes Peak United Way. Call Dinofrio at 955-0750.

Tax time and 2-1-1

The 2-1-1 helpline also is available to help residents determine whether they are eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, and whether they qualify to save on tax return preparation fees, including free online tax preparation.

Working with the Denver-based Piton Foundation, which annually sponsors a statewide public education campaign to create greater awareness about tax benefits for lower-wage workers, 2-1-1 recently announced that about 256,000 Colorado families are expected to qualify for more than $450 million in refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit, and additional refunds through the Child Tax Credit.

Although 2005 numbers are not available at this time, in 2004 more than $59 million in credits were dispersed to more than 35,000 Colorado Springs/El Paso County residents, with $10 million in credits remaining unclaimed.

Information is available by calling 2-1-1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both English and Spanish speaking operators are available.

Qualified taxpayers can receive up to $4,536 from the EITC. Taxpayers must have earned less than $36,348 if they have two or more qualifying children, $32,001 with one qualifying child or $12,120 if the had no children. Income limits are $2,000 higher if a couple's filing status is married filing jointly.

There are more than 100 community-based sites across Colorado that offer free tax preparation for taxpayers who make less than $40,000, and the IRS Free File Program (www.irs.gov/efile) is available to an estimated 93 million taxpayers who earn $52,000 or less.

Mike Boyd is editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

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