HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18
(By Delegates Varner, Cann, Douglas,
Kominar and Williams)
[Introduced March 8, 2001; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Public Service Commission to designate "211" as the
three digit access number for Community Information and
Referral Services throughout the State and that the Public
Service Commission conduct a study of feasibility of
implementing 211 in the State in partnership with the State
211 collaborative, local telephone companies and 911 services.
Whereas, In July two thousand, the Federal Communications
Committee petition designated 211 as the three digit access to
community information and referral services; and
Whereas, The State 211 collaborative was formed in October two
thousand and has adopted the vision of 211 as the statewide number
to call for access to information and referral for community
services; and
Whereas, The State 211 collaborative has adopted the mission to
participate in the design and implementation of a 211 system to
provide a quality information and referral system for the State through education, expanded partnerships, outreach and
sustainability plans, recognizing that the 211 collaborative will
maximize the strengths of each organization to accomplish
collectively what no one can accomplish alone; and
Whereas, The local telephone companies need direction from the
public service commission to move forward and work in conjunction
with the State 211 collaborative on the design and implementation
of 211; and
Whereas, Many counties host numerous social service
organizations and often these services are not listed in the phone
book by services; and
Whereas, Some people in crisis are not able to search for phone
numbers at all because they may be illiterate, nonEnglish speaking,
elderly or incapacitated by natural disaster or other crisis; and
Whereas, Setting aside a 211 number would give people one
number to call rather than having to call numerous agencies
searching for appropriate help and would provide services more
efficiently by using centralized community planning; and
Whereas, A 211 number would build on existing infrastructure by
allowing social service organizations joining the State 211
collaborative to utilize their joint experience; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Public Service Commission designate "211" as the
three digit access number for Community Information and Referral
Services throughout the State and that the Public Service
Commission conduct a study of feasibility for implementing 211 in
the State in partnership with the State 211 collaborative, local
telephone companies and 911 services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Public Service Commission present
a report to the Legislature no later than January thirteenth, two
thousand two, regarding progress made toward so designating "211"
as the three digit access number throughout the State; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is directed to forward a copy
of this resolution to the Public Service Commission, to Verizon and
all other telephone service providers in the State, and to the
Governor.