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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services seeks applicants to expand the state’s 2-1-1 system to three new areas.
Oklahoma 2-1-1 call centers currently provide free, 24-hour telephone information and referral services to Ada, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and surrounding areas. The system seeks to expand services to Lawton, Tishomingo, Bartlesville and surrounding areas.
Applicants must operate according to AIRS Standards. The centers will connect people in need with health and human service agencies and programs that can provide assistance in their areas. Separate local project providers will be required for each of the three geographic areas. Applicants must demonstrate readiness to make the transition to a 2-1-1 system and be a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization. Call centers provide information and referral service to callers without charging a fee.
The three call centers currently operating cover 31 counties. Sixty-eight percent of the state’s population has access to 2-1-1. The three proposed areas will add 20 counties and more than 80 percent of Oklahoma’s citizens will have access to the service. The goal is to have the entire system funded and the state’s population covered by 2010.
Through SB42, the Oklahoma Legislature provided funds to establish 2-1-1 call centers in the state. The Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative designates the agency that will operate the 2-1-1 call centers. OKDHS administers the grant funds to the centers that are selected by the 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative. Award amounts are based upon the call centers’ area of population.
For information or an application, contact Carrie Wiggs, Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative at (918) 430-2428 or e-mail: Carrie.Wiggs@OKDHS.org
Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2006, at the OKDHS Human Services Center, 3666 N. Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106. Applications received after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2006, will not be considered for funding. Funds for the new grants will be available from Sept. 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.
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