The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to support legislation that would expand the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Network statewide.
The 2-1-1 service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day in 38 of California's 58 counties. It provides callers access to information about health, food assistance, housing, childcare, crisis intervention and other social services. It is perhaps best known as a vital resource in times of natural disasters.
"Our region has been tested numerous times with natural disasters over the past decade and 2-1-1 San Diego has proven itself time and again by providing evacuation information, return routes, basic needs assistance, shelter availability, traffic closures and other vital information during emergencies," Supervisor Greg Cox said. "Statewide access to this service is imperative to ensure all residents have the information and assistance they need during times of disaster."
California Senate Bill 1212 was sponsored by State Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego. If signed into law, SB 1212 would allow current 2-1-1 dialing networks to expand their service range to include the 20 counties in California that do not have the service.
"Given our success with 2-1-1 here in San Diego County, the effort in the Legislature to expand this much needed service statewide deserves our support," Cox said.
The board voted 4-0, with Supervisor Bill Horn absent, to send a letter of support for the bill to Sacramento.
