August 2021 211 Newsletter: 211 Impact Survey Summary, RULMD: Pets Eating Too Pilot, National SDoH Survey Results & More!

August 2021 211 Newsletter

In This Month's Newsletter

2020 Data Impact Survey Results
RULMD: Pet's Eating Too Pilot
SingleCare Flu Shot Voucher Webinar
CFPB Rental Assistance Finder
Call to Action: No Kid Hungry
UWW Master Agreement with NICE CXone Network Savings
National 211 SDoH Survey Results
Special Feature: 211 & the Modern United Way - Recap
ICYMI: Contract Opportunity, Updated PSA Collateral, and more!
What We Are Reading & Watching
Upcoming Virtual Events & Past Recordings

211 Impact Survey Results

Congratulations again to our entire network for our on-going impact in our local communities. The annual 211 Impact Survey highlights our collective work and showcases the many indicators of impact 211s are having on critical issues. Please review the summary talking points here and feel free to review, customize and share the following network wide presentation.

Additional social media cards and marketing materials will be available in the coming months.

RULMD: Pets Eating Too Pilot

With support from PetSmart Charities, in late February 2021, 4 United Ways and 211s kicked-off a pilot as part of Ride United's Last Mile Delivery work. This project aimed to fill supply gaps by delivering pet food and supplies, ensuring that families and their four-legged loved ones have the nutrition and resources they need. This pilot will expand in the coming months to 6 total teams, ultimately providing 3,600+ pet food and supply deliveries.

Supply deliveries include kitty litter, waste disposal bags, puppy training pads, senior incontinence supplies, harnesses, leashes, crates, mats, and basic toys.

A recent highlight of the work happening in South Dakota was captured and submitted:

During an initial giveaway event in April 2021, 100 homes in Sioux Falls received pet food through delivery in partnership with Faith Temple. A local high school volunteer program made dog toys that were also distributed along with the dog food to each home. Learn more here: https://www.keloland.com/news/positively-keloland/faith-temple-food-giveaway-expanding-to-pet-food/

“This delivery was very important because I was able to feed my pets and by doing so, they were happy. After losing my job and not having money to pay any of my bills nor buy the food my pets needed, the service was a huge help. Thank you for the help.” –Delivery recipient

SingleCare Flu Shot Voucher Webinar

We are happy to announce an opportunity to participate in the Flu Voucher Program for free flu shots from Walgreens. These vouchers are generously provided by SingleCare, formerly FamilyWize, one of our national 211/United Way Worldwide partners. Please join us and representatives from SingleCare, for an informational webinar on the Flu Voucher Program, Tuesday, August 24 at 2 pm EDT. In an effort to remain healthy and safe, the flu program will remain contactless this year. Learn how you can offer free flu vaccines to anyone in your community who is uninsured or who cannot afford a flu vaccine. Please register for the webinar here.

CFPB Rental Assistance Finder

CFPB has developed a new look up tool that allows renters to find information on rental assistance in their area. The Rental Assistance Finder was designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help renters and landlords find their local program and apply for assistance. Renters and landlords who don’t know where to turn can use a new website from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This website makes it easy to find rental assistance provider in your area. Spread the word that people can go to consumerfinance.gov/renthelp to find help paying rent.

For more general information about the Emergency Rental Assistance program, visit the unified federal housing assistance portal hosted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Call to Action: No Kid Hungry

Right now, Congress is making critical decisions about policies that help feed kids, and we have a small but important window of opportunity to make sure these policies are included in the next budget resolution, also called reconciliation.

Join No Kid Hungry in calling on Congress to include three crucial policy provisions in the budget resolution. Use this toolkit to learn more and to find ways to get involved. Consider sharing this toolkit in your newsletters, emails, and on social media to help spur more action.

Over the next few weeks, Congress will be deciding what policies to prioritize in reconciliation, and we need them to take action to close the summer meals gap, strengthen school meals and ensure struggling families have resources for essential needs.

UWW Master Agreement with NICE CXone Network Savings

Did you know in 2013 United Way Worldwide negotiated a master agreement with NICE/InContact to provide consistently lower software and service pricing to large and small centers across the 211 network? For eight years, United Way Worldwide has paid NICE/InContact a monthly fee for this master agreement pricing and we love sharing these cost savings with our network. To qualify for this pricing, a contact center must be a 211, United Way, or an AIRS member.

How much does the United Way Worldwide Master Agreement save the network?

For a center with under 5 concurrent users?
NICE CXone ACD/IVR(voice and chat) software is only an estimated $575.03 per month.

For a center of 20 concurrent users, *meaning they could have hundreds of actual licenses or users and only pay for peak number of people on the phone each month:
NICE CXone ACD/IVR(voice and chat) is only an estimated $2,234.78 per month. (Regular pricing is an estimated $4,113.00 per month)
Yearly savings are approximately $22,548 per center.

If you are interested in receiving additional information, please contact Juanita McDanie l and we will connect you with our partners at NICE/InContact.

National 211 SDoH Survey Results

Recently our partners at AIRS and the National 211 Steering Committee conducted a survey on 211’s within the network who are engaging in SDOH work. Within just four days, 80+ 211s shared their thoughts and experiences regarding this impactful work.

Please review the slide deck of the main results, along with a Word document containing all of the open-ended responses.

Here is a general summary:

Every single 211 stated that they are engaged in real-life SDoH work.

More than 50% of respondents stated that UniteUs had secured a contract in their area. The same number affirmed that Aunt Bertha also held a contract. Only two 211 services had a contract with Aunt Bertha and only six had one with UniteUs.

88% of 211s stated that they would, if given the opportunity, enter into a contract with a private SDoH vendor.

90% of 211s report that they can readily seek help from another 211 on SDoH issues.

27% stated that their technical set-up might be an impediment to an SDoH contract – and 73% stated that technology was not a barrier.

80% of 211s that expressed experience in the issue felt that SDoH vendors had NOT behaved in an ethical manner.

More than 75% of 211s were open to the concept of making their resource database the shared foundation of all of the SDoH companies serving their area (as in 4-5 cars all using the same gasoline) as long as their ongoing technical costs were covered.

Please note that these results are internal/confidential to the 211 network. Parts of this survey may be shared if it helps at a regional level, but the entire survey should not be provided to private companies or large stakeholders. Thank you to AIRS and the National Steering Committee for coordinating the effort and to all the teams that responded.

Special Feature: 211 & the Modern United Way - Recap

This is the final installment in a series highlighting how your 211 can evolve and complement a Modern United Way and highlight network best practices.

Over the past nine months we have featured a series of installments highlighting how your 211 can evolve and complement a Modern United Way and highlight network best practices. The following is a brief recap and link to each feature to review and add to your library. As we conclude our review of 211 & the Modern United Way, we hope that you have gained some knowledge on how to implement the best practices shared within your agency.

211 Data & the Modern United Way

No matter if you are a United Way or independent 211, 211 needs data is valuable in helping inform and set local United Way priorities, developing stronger funding proposals, and demonstrating why donors should support your work. Data is one of the most valuable assets 211s have – aside from their staff – and leveraging it correctly can identify gaps in resources leading to more informed funding proposals. Read our feature on how to leverage your 211 data to drive change within your community.

Leading with a Growth Mindset

Leading with a Growth Mindset is endlessly practical when your career is based on helping people achieve their potential and grow from personal challenges. Within the 211 Network every client interaction becomes another opportunity to develop and enrich this practice. This story includes key points on how to lead your organization with a growth mindset.

Engaging and Strengthening Channels Year-Round

Within the blueprint of a Modern United Way, Engaging and Strengthening Channels Year-Round means developing and maintaining year-round contact with United Way donors and volunteers through the workplace, on digital platforms, and through one-on-one engagement. To ensure the strength of these channels, United Way must communicate using contact information managed through a well-maintained donor database and ensure delivery of personalized messages through digital platforms.

Deliver Awesome Experiences

Some businesses are known for their legendary customer service – think of Southwest Airlines no-fees and friendly flight experience, or Nordstrom’s infamous hassle-free return policy, or that one small business in your community that always goes above and beyond to know your name or provide you with a great shopping moment. These awesome experiences are also often found within our 211 programs. In this feature we focus on how 211s across the network can deliver awesome experiences with every interaction.

Engage the Community in Solving Relevant Issues

Whether it’s a local disaster or response to the national effects of the worldwide pandemic, 211 is often activated to respond to the greatest challenges experienced by our communities. 211 is at the core of communities, answering calls, providing an empathetic ear and information about local resources as they become available. 211 call data is at the forefront of driving decisions related to funding ensuring that the focus is on the areas that exhibit the greatest need. We are uniquely positioned to provide real-time context on real life issues due to our direct to individual interactions. Furthermore, our relationships with community agencies, nonprofits and organizations are instrumental to our involvement in successfully solving the issues experienced by our community.

Model Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Within the blueprint of a Modern United Way, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means championing equity in the community and operationalizing equity within your organization through practice, policy, and an equity minded culture. As trusted sources of information, read this feature and consider how you can leverage your role regarding equity.

Leverage People, Process and Technology

211s are poised to be a triple threat in our service delivery eco-system as they leverage people, process, and technology. This feature highlights how 211 leverages our strength as a triple threat to make lasting change within our community.

Best in Class: Fundraising, Impact, Content, Digital Experiences and Volunteer Opportunities

Fundraising is a key component in building sustainable futures for any nonprofit. As competition increases, securing funding has become more and more difficult given that we are all competing for the same pots of funding. Thinking outside our normal scope of fundraising has become increasingly common and important. Check out this feature that highlights how we should unlock new opportunities to expand our influence within our community.

Develop Compelling Products and Solutions

Developing compelling products and solutions means using information on both individuals and corporate partners’ interest and data on the nature of community issues to create an effective impact agenda and meaningful products and solutions. 211s have the ability to use the transformational data that is collected and ultimately drive the innovations that result in a better provision of service. Check out this feature that highlights the compelling products and solutions available across the 211 network.

ICYMI: Contract Opportunity, Updated PSA Collateral, and more!

Maternal Mental Health Hotline Contract Opportunity
This is to inform you that a contract opportunity solicitation has been posted on sam.gov for the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Congress provided funds, through the FY 2021 Omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act (P.L. 116-260), to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to contract with a qualified entity to establish and maintain a Maternal Mental Health Hotline to be staffed 24 hours a day by qualified counselors. Click here to view the application and/or apply. The solicitation is due on August 26, 2021, 11:00 AM EDT.

Updated PSA Collateral: CTC Inclusion
To raise awareness and education around the Child Tax Credit, the Ad Council has created additional digital assets to drive audiences to 211.org for information regarding accessing the Child Tax Credit. The updates can be found on the 211 toolkit, click here to check out the new digital assets.

NDP Webinar/Q&A Open Hours
Are you interested in joining the 211 National Data Platform? Join us for our monthly NDP Open Status Update/QA Sessions August 19th at 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT. During these meetings we will provide an update on the work of the National Data Platform and troubleshoot/answer any questions you may have. We will also share use cases, how to navigate style-guide concerns, national listings, and bi-directional updates. Feel free to join us using this link.

2021 National Inventory of Data Sharing Collaborations for Health
211s sharing data with partner organizations are encouraged to complete the 2021 National Inventory survey. The survey is being conducted by Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) to better understand organizations that may form multi sector collaborations in the United States, their capacity for data sharing to equitably improve health, and to assess progress in this field among multi sector collaborations. Click here to take the All In National Inventory of Data Sharing Collaborations Survey today!

American Rescue Plan Act
Our partners at United Way of the Midlands shared this document that outlines the objectives and allowable uses of the American Rescue Plan Act. Although this is a specific use case in Nebraska, the information may help teams across the network dig a bit deeper into their respective state/county/city plans and determine how your agency may benefit.