Library: News Release
Phone: (918) 430-2428
e-mail: Carrie.Wiggs@OKDHS.org
OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative seeks applicants to expand the state’s 2-1-1 system to six new counties surrounding the Muskogee area. The counties to be covered are: Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee and Sequoyah.
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 centers will connect people in need with health and human service agencies and programs that can provide assistance in their areas. One local project provider will be awarded for the entire six-county geographic area. 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. Applicants must operate according to AIRS Standards.
The three call centers currently operating cover 36 counties. Seventy percent of the state’s population has access to 2-1-1. The goal is to have 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, (918) 430-2428, or e-mail: Carrie.Wiggs@OKDHS.org.
Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, at OKDHS – Oklahoma 2-1-1 Collaborative, 3666 N. Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106. Applications received after 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, will not be considered for funding. Funds for the new grants will be available from Feb. 1, 2007, through June 30, 2007. The call center must be “live” and operational by April 1, 2007.
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