In 48 states across America, residents can pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 to be connected with essential social services, from homeless shelters to suicide hotlines. 2-1-1 also links people to local volunteer opportunities, serving as a one-stop shop for community improvement and engagement.

The FCC has registered the 2-1-1 code for national use. Why, then, is it only reaching 80% of the population? Just half of the states in the country offer complete coverage to all their residents and two entire states lack a 2-1-1 hotline altogether. (See this map of 2-1-1 coverage across the U.S. for more details.) One word: funding.

Tell your Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor the Calling for 2-1-1 Act, which would provide those states in the process of starting or enhancing their own 2-1-1 systems with much-needed federal financial assistance.

Both S.211 and H.R.211 are stuck in committees, the graveyards of most pieces of legislation. By co-sponsoring the bills, your representatives in Congress will exponentially increase the likelihood that the Calling for 2-1-1 Act is given a vote.

Everyone has access to 9-1-1 in times of emergency. Shouldn't they also have access to 2-1-1 in their times of need?

Tell your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Calling for 2-1-1 Act now. To see if your Senators are already co-sponsors, click here; to check on your Representative, go here. Even if they're already sponsors, remind them that this issue is vital to their constituents.