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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
2-1-1 METRO CHICAGO INITIATIVE LED BY THE UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO
WHEREAS, the social services network in Cook County includes a complex system of service providers and puts the burden for navigating this system on residents; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic brought this problem into greater focus, highlighting the need for a comprehensive, centralized information and referral system for human services; and
WHEREAS, Cook County, the City of Chicago, the United Way of Metro Chicago, and the Heartland Alliance desired to implement a 2-1-1 system, an information and referral system for health and social services that has been implemented successfully across the country; and
WHEREAS, the above stakeholders convened an Advisory Committee with participation by the Bureau of Economic Development (BED) in early 2021 to determine how to establish and implement a 2-1-1 system in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, that Advisory Committee, after a systematic review of the top 2-1-1 systems in the United States and research on operating and governance options, determined that the United Way of Metro Chicago was the recommended entity to operate the 2-1-1 system in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Cook County and the City of Chicago each agreed to provide funding through the 2024 calendar year to operate the 2-1-1 system with the intent to assess the system’s performance and provide further funding of the system on an ongoing basis, subject to annual appropriation by the Board; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 22-5753 authorized BED to enter into a multiyear Grant Agreement with United Way of Metro Chicago on behalf of Cook County, subject to annual appropriation by the Board of Commissioners, in an aggregate amount of up to $2,300,000 to implement and operate 2-1-1 Metro Chicago, which includes a comprehensive information and referral helpline for health and human services in Cook County that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; and
WHEREAS, 2-1-1 Metro Chicago has been successfully serving Cook County residents since January 2023, has exceeded its performance goals, and recently surpassed over 200,000 contacts from residents; and
WHEREAS, Cook County, in collaboration with the City of Chicago, desires to continue to support the implementation of 2-1-1 Metro Chicago to better serve our residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the issuance of the following agreement amendment by the BED, subject to satisfactory performance of the program by the grantee and subject to annual appropriation by the Board:
1. Amend the Grant Agreement with the United Way of Metro Chicago to increase the total funding by $3,750,000 ($1,250,000 per year for three years) from the previously approved amount of $2,300,000 to a revised aggregate amount of up to $6,050,000 to continue their implementation of 2-1-1 Metro Chicago and extend the agreement term through December 31, 2027, subject to annual appropriation by the Board of Commissioners. 2-1-1 Metro Chicago includes a comprehensive information and referral helpline for health and human services in Cook County that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Residents who contact 2-1-1 Metro Chicago are able to access information, referrals to local resources and services, and personalized assistance depending on each resident’s needs and preferences.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Chief of the Bureau of Economic Development or its designee to modify the agreement and funding allocation based upon need and utilization.
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