WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of more than 8,000 health and human services available in the State; and

WHEREAS,  in order to promote the 2-1-1 Maine health and human services and emergency preparedness hotline, which helps Maine citizens to get access to needed resources, we recognize February 11th as 2-1-1 Maine Day; and

WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine helps to identify existing gaps in health and human services; and

WHEREAS,  throughout the State, 2-1-1 Maine provides around-the-clock service through efficient and effective responses to questions arising from the growing complexities and needs in health, financial and human services; and

WHEREAS,   2-1-1 Maine provides emergency operations during times of natural and other disasters, including providing accurate and timely information for preparations and longer-term referrals for follow-up services, and valuable information for community planning and for future matching of resources and unmet needs; and

WHEREAS,  during this past year, 2-1-1 Maine has directed more than 6,300 Mainers to heating and utility assistance services that may have prevented people from contacting the wrong agency for a federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefit, prevented utility shutoffs and saved people from spending winter nights without fuel assistance; and

WHEREAS,  since 2006, 2-1-1 Maine call specialists have assisted with more than 670,000 requests to locate health and human services information; and

WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine handles a number of specialized services, including assisting the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and the gambling helpline, and is also a resource to find information about such needs as tax preparation and mental health services; now, therefore, be it