WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of more than 8,000 health and human services available in the State; and

WHEREAS,  in order to promote the 2-1-1 Maine health and human services and emergency preparedness helpline, which provides Maine citizens free and confidential referrals to needed resources, we recognize February 2018 as 2-1-1 Month; and

WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine helps to identify existing gaps in health and human services; and

WHEREAS,  throughout the State, 2-1-1 Maine provides around-the-clock service through efficient and effective responses to questions arising from the growing complexities and needs in health, financial and human services; and

WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine 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 Maine Emergency Management Agency during the agency's responses to the 2016 drought and the October 2017 wind storm; and

WHEREAS,  during this past year, 2-1-1 Maine has directed nearly 6,500 Maine citizens to heating and utility assistance services, which may have prevented people from contacting the wrong agency for a federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefit, prevented utility shutoffs and saved people from spending winter nights without fuel; and

WHEREAS,  since 2006, 2-1-1 Maine call specialists have assisted with more than 700,000 requests to locate health and human services information; and

WHEREAS,  2-1-1 Maine handles a number of specialized services, including the opiate helpline and the gambling helpline, and is also a resource for finding information about such needs as tax preparation and mental health services; now, therefore, be it