Crain's Detroit Business: MARY KRAMER: '2-1-1' program good news for our region
Forget the debate over Washington's "economic stimulus" package. The quickest way to put money into the hands of working, low-income residents in metro Detroit is through their tax returns.
Mike Brennan, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Michigan, figures $70 million to $100 million is "left on the table" in the region by unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits.
For a family of four earning under $40,000, it could mean a tax credit of up to $4,300.
United Way is trying to recruit tax preparers and volunteers in the region to help get the word out. But employers can help, too. If you have employees on the payroll you think might qualify, you can get more information to distribute companywide from the United Way.
Just call the "2-1-1" help line and ask for information.
You'll be introduced to one of the most successful "good news" stories in our region. 2-1-1 is the magic number for all kinds of help. Facing foreclosure? You can find out the programs that best fit your circumstances. Out of food at home? Gas or electricity being shut off? Ditto.
In its first year, it logged 100,000 calls, rising to 160,000 in 2007. United Way expects to handle 250,000 calls in 2008 and 500,000 within five years.
In three years, it's the second-largest 2-1-1 program in the country.
The 24/7 help line has 40 trained staff members, and assistance in Spanish and Arabic is always available. An online system of "prompts" with a resource data base allows staffers to identify 7,000 services in 1,200 service categories.
United Way sends data on calls to service providers monthly. More important, the program tracks where the needs are — and can identify where geographic service gaps are in the region.
The program also has been used to target outcomes. For example, when the Michigan Dental Association wanted to offer free dental services during February, 2-1-1 operators asked callers with other problems: Does your child have a dentist?
In three weeks, 900 children were signed up for the "Make a Kid Smile" program.
The talented call-center workers deserve applause, along with Sullivan and Brennan. Three businesspeople who helped make 2-1-1 a reality deserve kudos: Lear Corp.'s Jim Vandenberghe for raising the money; Joan Gehrke, the volunteer chair of the effort; and Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cindy Pasky for an innovative 2-1-1 "on the go" program to help people on the streets.
[Source]
Mike Brennan, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Michigan, figures $70 million to $100 million is "left on the table" in the region by unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits.
For a family of four earning under $40,000, it could mean a tax credit of up to $4,300.
United Way is trying to recruit tax preparers and volunteers in the region to help get the word out. But employers can help, too. If you have employees on the payroll you think might qualify, you can get more information to distribute companywide from the United Way.
Just call the "2-1-1" help line and ask for information.
You'll be introduced to one of the most successful "good news" stories in our region. 2-1-1 is the magic number for all kinds of help. Facing foreclosure? You can find out the programs that best fit your circumstances. Out of food at home? Gas or electricity being shut off? Ditto.
In its first year, it logged 100,000 calls, rising to 160,000 in 2007. United Way expects to handle 250,000 calls in 2008 and 500,000 within five years.
In three years, it's the second-largest 2-1-1 program in the country.
The 24/7 help line has 40 trained staff members, and assistance in Spanish and Arabic is always available. An online system of "prompts" with a resource data base allows staffers to identify 7,000 services in 1,200 service categories.
United Way sends data on calls to service providers monthly. More important, the program tracks where the needs are — and can identify where geographic service gaps are in the region.
The program also has been used to target outcomes. For example, when the Michigan Dental Association wanted to offer free dental services during February, 2-1-1 operators asked callers with other problems: Does your child have a dentist?
In three weeks, 900 children were signed up for the "Make a Kid Smile" program.
The talented call-center workers deserve applause, along with Sullivan and Brennan. Three businesspeople who helped make 2-1-1 a reality deserve kudos: Lear Corp.'s Jim Vandenberghe for raising the money; Joan Gehrke, the volunteer chair of the effort; and Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cindy Pasky for an innovative 2-1-1 "on the go" program to help people on the streets.
[Source]
posted by UWSEM webmaster at
9:49 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home