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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1460 |
| 2-1-1 Information & Referral Network, Phase 2 |
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| Requester: |
Dennis M. Ross, President & CE |
Organization: |
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Inc. |
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| Project Title: |
2-1-1 Information & Referral Network, Phase 2 |
Date Submitted |
1/14/2003 7:14:42 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Crist |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services information and referral. The 2-1-1 network provides callers, who are "in need," with information about and referrals to health and human services that are available in their respective areas.
In Florida, the 2-1-1 network is available in approximately 75% of the state. In Hillsborough County, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay administers the 2-1-1 system as the single point of coordination for health and human services information and referrals for the area.
In 2002, the Legislature supported the 2-1-1 network by passing the Florida Health and Human Services Access Act. This legislation authorized the planning, development, and implemementation of a statewide Florida 2-1-1 Network. The legislation sought the eventual integration of information and referral services with local and state health and human services programs for consolidating and streamlining eligibility and case-management procedures. Hillsborough County has already implemented this approach with several types of services available in the area.
Full implementation of the 2-1-1 network system on a statewide basis will promote prevention of health and human services problems and avert crises, thus generating a cost savings to the state & local governments within the health and human service sector.
With the technological upgrades that would be achieved by funding this project, the Crisis Center will be able to connect electronically to Florida's other regional 2-1-1 systems to service providers within the Crisis Center's region, and, likewise, connect consumers in the Crisis Center's region to the service providers in other regions of the state.
The ulimate result of completing Phase 2 of this project will be increased technological compatability, communication, and collaboration among the 2-1-1 network providers and partners. |
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| Recipient: |
Hillsborough County Crisis Center D/B/A Crisis Center of TB |
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Contact: |
Dennis M. Ross |
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One Crisis Center Plaza |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 964-1964 |
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Tampa 336131238 |
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| Counties: |
Hillsborough, {Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Phase 2 of the implementation of the 2-1-1 network in the Hillsborough County area, which would be funded by this budget request, would allow for a digital conversion of the current 2-1-1 phone system. Total digital conversion would enable more efficient and effective service to an increasing number of callers.
Specifically, state funding would assist in the digital conversion of 23 phone lines and the purchase of additional technological and software components to support the conversion and continuation of Language Line interpreter services. Funding will increase the 2-1-1 system capacity and allow professional staff to assess a caller's needs quickly and simulateously connect them directly with the local health or human service agency best suited to assist them. |
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| Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| There would be an increase in the number of health and human service providers that would be part of the 2-1-1 network to provide crisis counseling and referral and information. Additionally, there would be an increase in the number of calls that would be accommodated within the 2-1-1 network if all the 2-1-1 phone lines are converted to the digital system. It is anticipated that the number of calls into the Crisis Center's portion of the 2-1-1 network would increase over the ensuing year by approximately 10%.
With changes that would be made with the proposed funding, there would be an ability to handle 2-1-1 calls in the Tampa Bay area in a unique way that would increase the quality of services rendered to callers. There will be an ability to perform "warm transfers," which allow the caller to be linked telephonically to the appropriate service provider during the initial call to 2-1-1. This would ensure a seamless process of direct and simultaneous linkage of the caller to the provider that is best suited to provide the services needed by the caller, while only requiring the caller to provide relevant information once.
The ability of performing "warm transfers" of callers to providers would result in an indeterminate reduction of state and local funds that are expended in duplicating services by various providers among people who seek health and human services. Additionally, there would be an indeterminate reduction in state and local funds expended in the health and human services sector, from a prevention and intervention aspect, if the referrals and information disseminated are streamlined and made more efficient by directly linking people in need of services to those services, being more effective in ensuring that those people who need services actually receive them as well as ensuring the services come from the most appropriate service provider. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$100,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$739,693 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$639,693 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2002-2003 |
Amount: |
$200,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Unknown |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Unknown |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Crisis Center Database, Hunger T.F., Mental Health T.F., Hillsborough Co. Needs Assessment, etc. |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
01/31/2003 |
