IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 985 

Expressing support for the designation of March 7 as National Information 

and Referral Services Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2008 

Mr. TERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of March 7 as 

National Information and Referral Services Day. 

Whereas information and referral (I&R) services link the consumer with a need or problem with the most appropriate 

service that can address that need or solve that problem; 

Whereas quality I&R services are the keystone point of entry 

to the entire human services structure delivery system; 

Whereas I&R services have been recognized in Federal legislation for 35 years since the 1973 reauthorization of the 

Older Americans Act of 1965 and subsequently included 

the establishment of the national Eldercare Locator and 

the development of the Aging and Disability Resource 

Center; 


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•HRES 985 IH 

Whereas the United States is currently served by information 

and referral through 2–1–1 programs, aging I&R services, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, child care 

resource and referral services, military family center, and 

other specialty I&R services; 

Whereas informed individuals who understand the variety of 

services available are better equipped to make decisions; 

Whereas in 1997, the National 2–1–1 Initiative was established with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, creating the first 24-hour telephone information and referral 

service using the easy-to-remember 2–1–1 dialing code 

for access; 

Whereas in 2000, the Federal Communications Commission 

reserved the 2–1–1 dialing code for community information and referral services, intended as an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that would act 

as a vital connection between individuals and families in 

need and appropriate community-based organizations and 

government agencies, including in times of disaster; 

Whereas the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems 

has been providing professional standards and 

credentialing programs for those operating I&R services; 

and 

Whereas expanding access to information about and referrals 

to services provides individuals with lower-cost and safer 

options for managing their needs, and is likely to reduce 

confusion, frustration, and inaccessibility to services: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses support for the designation of a 

3 National Information and Referral Services Day to 


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1 raise public awareness about the existence and im2 portance of information and referral services avail3 able to all Americans and to more effectively target 

4 these services to reach those most in need; 

5 (2) supports activities in communities across 

6 the Nation involving schools, nonprofit organiza7 tions, businesses, and other entities to ensure infor8 mation and referral services are part of everyday 

9 life, including emergency preparedness; and 

10 (3) reaffirms the importance of clear and con11 sistent professional standards to govern every aspect 

12 of quality information and referral services. 

Æ 


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