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H 7706Funding & Budget

Making an Appropriation of $500,000 to the United Way of Rhode Island for the 2-1-1 Human Services Hotline

Appropriates $500,000 to the United Way of Rhode Island to support the 2-1-1 human services hotline for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Held for study
Population
Affected
50
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes a $500,000 appropriation from the Rhode Island state treasury to the United Way of Rhode Island for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is specifically designated to provide operational support for the 2-1-1 Human Services Hotline, a free and confidential service available to all Rhode Islanders. The legislation directs the state controller to draw orders upon the general treasurer to facilitate these payments upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

The 2-1-1 hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is accessible in nearly 200 languages and dialects. It serves as a central, human-connected hub that links residents with essential resources. These resources include assistance with housing, child care, healthcare, food, shelter, utility bills, and tax preparation. Additionally, the hotline plays a critical communications role during natural disasters and state crises, such as floods and severe winter storms, ensuring residents have access to timely and accurate information.

By providing this financial support, the state aims to ensure the continued efficiency and availability of the 2-1-1 system. According to the resolution, the service handled over 190,000 requests for help in the 2023-2024 period, demonstrating its significant role in the community. Furthermore, the insights and data gathered from 2-1-1 calls help multiple state departments identify and address the changing needs of Rhode Islanders, allowing the government to better serve its most vulnerable populations.

For younger readers

This bill gives $500,000 to the United Way of Rhode Island to help run the 2-1-1 hotline. The 2-1-1 hotline is a free phone number people can call anytime they need help finding food, housing, or other important services. This money will make sure the hotline can stay open and keep helping people in need.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Rhode Island residents seeking social servicesUnited Way of Rhode IslandState departments relying on 2-1-1 dataNon-English speaking residents

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. This is a standard legislative appropriation of funds to a non-profit organization for public services.

Estimated cost
$500,000
Estimated revenue
Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Supports a vital social safety net that connects vulnerable populations to housing, food, and healthcare.
  • Ensures language accessibility by supporting a service offered in nearly 200 languages and dialects.
  • Provides critical infrastructure for emergency and disaster response, which often disproportionately affect lower-income residents.
  • Relies on a private non-profit (United Way) rather than fully funding and integrating these services directly into state agencies.
  • $500,000 may not be enough to meet the growing demand for social services, given the 190,000+ requests received annually.
  • Does not address the root causes of poverty and housing insecurity that drive the need for the hotline.
For Conservatives
  • Leverages a private non-profit organization (United Way) which can often operate more efficiently than a government bureaucracy.
  • Increases efficiency by helping callers define their needs and identify available services, reducing wasted time and resources.
  • Provides essential emergency communication during natural disasters, supporting public safety without creating a new state agency.
  • Increases state spending by $500,000 during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Appropriates taxpayer funds to a private non-profit organization, which some may argue is not a core function of government.
  • May duplicate some existing state agency outreach or communication efforts.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, Since 2007, the United Way of Rhode Island has operated and maintained 2-1-1 as a free and confidential service for all Rhode Islanders, one that is available 24 hours a day, every day, 365 days per year, in nearly 200 languages and dialects that provides a direct human connection to solve life’s most pressing problems; and

WHEREAS, By call, text or chat 2-1-1, Rhode Islanders find assistance on everything from housing to child care to healthcare services and food and shelter, as well as help with tax preparation and utilities; and

WHEREAS, Insights gained from 2-1-1 help multiple state departments by and through the United Way of Rhode Island identify the changing needs of Rhode Islanders to better serve our community; and

WHEREAS, The 2023-20 United Way of Rhode Island Community Impact Report stated that more than 190,000 requests for help were received by 2-1-1 with the majority focused on requests relating to help, stability, and resources; and

WHEREAS, 2-1-1 plays a critical communications role during natural disasters or other state crises; including floods and winter snow storms; and

WHEREAS, The community as a whole benefits from 2-1-1 because it helps people connect with the information they need, when they need it most, and increases efficiency by helping callers define their needs and identify multiple available services; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated to the United Way, a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, to provide operational support for the 2-1-1 system; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,0 TO THE UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND FOR THE 2-1-1 HUMAN SERVICES HOTLINE *** This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to the United Way of Rhode Island to provide operational support for the 2-1-1 system.