WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- On February 13, an important new website will be launched with a publicly-accessible and searchable database of 10,000 programs and 4,000 human services organizations in the Washington region: www.211metrodc.org. The site provides a convenient, user-friendly resource for community members searching for essential services such as affordable housing, rent assistance, elder care, health resources, and child care.
This innovative project is the result of a unique, public-private collaboration spearheaded by The Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington and District of Columbia 211 Answers Please, United Way of Central Maryland, and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative, IBM Corporation, and the United Way of the National Capital Area.
"www.211metrodc.org is an important step in our efforts towards a regionally integrated 2-1-1 service," says Chuck Bean, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Roundtable. "With this new database, residents of the Washington metropolitan area can identify agencies and programs that meet their needs. This is a huge leap forward for people who need essential services in our region. It's great to work together with the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia on this project."
Beyond this new database, it is fully expected that 2-1-1 call center coverage will continue to expand throughout the region over the next year- DC is covered, Prince George's County and Frederick County Maryland are in pilot program status, but Northern Virginia is still looking to acquire 2-1-1 telephone coverage dependent on support from private resources and the Virginia General Assembly. Although www.211metrodc.org is set to provide a base from which further regional 2-1-1 efforts can emerge, it is still only the first step. There is much work to be done. The Nonprofit Roundtable applauds Senators Clinton, Dole and Burr for sponsoring The Calling for 2-1-1 Act. "The Calling for 2-1-1 Act would enable full 2-1-1 call center coverage in the National Capital Region. It's what we need as part of our disaster planning efforts, and what our vulnerable neighbors need every day," says Bean.
This new site www.211metrodc.org is a generalized information and referral database and is complementary to specialized information and referral services. Specialized resources offered by Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration (job training) and the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (emergency food, shelter, and health care) will continue to be vital services in our community. As 2-1-1 phone coverage continues to grow in our region, www.211metrodc.org will actively pursue linking with specialized services such as these to provide even better coverage in the National Capital Region.
Founded in 2002, the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington is dedicated to building the strength, influence, and visibility of the nonprofit community in the National Capital Region.
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