HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Texans in need of information about and referrals to
1-2 health and human services programs face a difficult task given the
1-3 state's size and the vast number of federal, state, and local
1-4 health and human services providers; their challenge will only
1-5 increase as the state's population continues to grow and change
1-6 demographically; and
1-7 WHEREAS, Many Texans would benefit from a centralized,
1-8 comprehensive, statewide link to health and human services programs
1-9 for seniors, people with disabilities, victims of crimes, people in
1-10 the military and their dependents, children and youth, and other
1-11 target populations, as well as to comprehensive programs that serve
1-12 the entire community; and
1-13 WHEREAS, State policymakers must look to public and private
1-14 partnerships to maximize the impact of the financial resources
1-15 invested in health and human services programs and to address the
1-16 needs of the people of Texas in an efficient and timely manner; and
1-17 WHEREAS, 2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember statewide
1-18 abbreviated telephone number that connects callers to an
1-19 information and referral service that makes critical connections
1-20 between those in need and appropriate community-based organizations
1-21 and government agencies; and
1-22 WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission has designated
1-23 2-1-1 for universal access to health and human services information
1-24 and referral, and nearly every other state is pursuing or exploring
2-1 2-1-1 implementation; and
2-2 WHEREAS, The 2-1-1 initiative in Texas is truly a public and
2-3 private partnership; approximately $5 million in private donations
2-4 have been contributed to the system through local United Ways and
2-5 other organizations; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Texas has the programs and infrastructure in place
2-7 to implement a 2-1-1 system; organizations providing support to the
2-8 2-1-1 initiative include the Texas Health and Human Services
2-9 Commission Information and Referral Network, Area Information
2-10 Centers, which are linked to every community in Texas, local
2-11 communities that support the initiative through private donations,
2-12 and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which has proposed
2-13 rules under consideration relating to the implementation of the
2-14 2-1-1 program; now, therefore, be it
2-15 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-16 hereby declare support for the establishment of a statewide 2-1-1
2-17 information and referral telephone network so that the people of
2-18 Texas may be efficiently and effectively linked with needed health
2-19 and human services information and assistance.
Gutierrez
Maxey
Gallego
Dunnam
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 109 was adopted by the House on
April 17, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 109 was adopted by the Senate on
May 22, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor