WHEREAS, 2-1-1 OC is a trusted information and referral service that provides individuals across the county with connections to community, health, and disaster-related services; and WHEREAS, by dialing the three-digit code (2-1-1), Orange County residents can speak with highly trained staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and receive real-time assistance in over 150 languages; and WHEREAS, 2-1-1 OC services the entire county and is available via phone, text, and web, and is tailored to provide people of all income levels, languages, and cultural backgrounds with unique resources specific to their concerns and geographic location; and WHEREAS, 2-1-1 OC consistently assists with identifying emerging needs and can relay valuable insights to public officials at local, regional, and state levels; and WHEREAS, 2-1-1 OC provides emergency operations during times of natural and other disasters, including providing accurate and timely information for preparations and longer-term referrals for follow-up services, as evidenced by its role in supporting the Orange County Office of Emergency Services during wildfires and other natural disasters; and WHEREAS, since 2006, 2-1-1 OC call specialists have assisted with more than 5,400,000 requests for help, averaging 300,000 per year to locate community, health, and disaster-related services; and WHEREAS, during uncertain economic times, the demand for rapid response assistance and complex case management increases significantly; and WHEREAS, 2-1-1 OC has demonstrated its capabilities as an experienced responder able to scale its infrastructure and offer new services quickly, such as addressing rising food insecurity and assisting people for whom online forms present language, digital literacy, or internet access challenges; and WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa commits to promoting the 2-1-1 OC service so that all Costa Mesa residents have equitable access to this critical service providing anti-poverty, housing support, family and child support, aging and disability, health equity, and disaster resource connections; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2024 as 2-1-1 OC Month in the City of Costa Mesa. Recognizing the occasion is crucial to promoting and strengthening 2-1-1 OC, which provides Orange County community members with free and confidential referrals to needed resources.
Dated this 20th day of February 2024.
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John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa