Press Releases
2-1-1 Attains AIRS Accreditation
SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2007 – “Pass with highest honors.” With these words, 2-1-1 San Diego, provider of quick access to community, health and disaster information was acknowledged last week at the Alliance of Information and Referral (AIRS) Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL for successful attainment of AIRS accreditation.
AIRS is the professional association for over 1,000 community information and referral (I&R) providers, primarily in the United States and Canada. Accreditation determines whether an organization meets the AIRS Standards for Professional Information and Referral through a comprehensive process.
“We are very pleased to receive AIRS accreditation,” said Sara Matta, Executive Director. “The results of this multi-year effort affirm the skill, competence, and compassion of 2-1-1 employees and our commitment to meeting the needs of the community and contributing to positive social change.”
In written comments that supported the AIRS award, a reviewer noted that "San Diego 2-1-1 is the best prepared site I have visited.” In particular, 2-1-1 was recognized for a number of “best practices,” including the “AIRS Jeopardy” game developed to familiarize staff with AIRS standards and the quarterly report to the Board reflecting progress related to identified goals or Critical Success Indicators (CSI's).
Nancy Tarbell, Human Resources Director, who spearheaded the effort remarked, “Receiving this accreditation award is a thrill for all of us! It's great to get the recognition that we've created so many 'best practice' materials and processes that other 2-1-1s can use.”
2-1-1, first established in Atlanta, GA in 1997, was set aside by the Federal Communications Commission. The 2-1-1 easy dialing code was introduced in San Diego County on June 30, 2005. In its first year, the 24/7 phone service handled 126,500 calls and 190,700 website visits. The service was built on the foundation of INFO LINE, which served the region for 35 years on a more limited basis.
2-1-1, a full partner with the County of San Diego in disaster response, is also the primary regional emergency public information source, allowing first responders to focus attention where it is most urgently needed. This free service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2-1-1 serves approximately 196 million Americans – over 65% of the U.S. population; 212 active 2-1-1 systems cover all or part of 41 states (including 19 states with 100% coverage) plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
Contact: Betty Timko, Operations Director, (858) 300-1302, (858) 300-1300, or btimko@211sandiego.org.
