Solari’s 211 connects Arizonans to help but funding is at risk
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A free helpline that connects Arizonans to housing, food, utilities, healthcare, and other critical resources could be at risk without more funding.
211 Arizona, operated by Solari Crisis and Human Services, uses live operators to guide callers step-by-step to get the help they need.
“Not helping people with these basic needs upstream ends up being very costly and expensive downstream,” said Tara Bingdazzo with 211 Arizona. “Investing in 211 saves our state and our taxpayers a lot of money down the road.”
Without new funding, Bingdazzo says the service could lose its live operators or shut down completely.
“If we can help somebody with their basic needs today, helping their children get food, helping them find shelter, then that prevents them from being in a life-threatening emergency down the road,” she said.
Governor Katie Hobbs secured state funding for the program this year, and APS contributed more than $1 million to support it. However, that funding only runs through June 2026.
“Since COVID March of 2020, 211 Arizona has been operating year to year with one-year grants with really no promise of another year after that,” Bingdazzo explained. “So we have perpetually been in a position every year securing funding for the next year.”
The help 211 provides can’t be replaced.
“Live answer and a call agent can help ask questions that that person isn’t asking for themself. You know, why are you having trouble paying your power bill? Is it because you’ve lost work? Perhaps there’s some vocational rehab services that would also benefit you so that you can get back on top of things.” she said.
In June alone, more than 52,000 Arizonans called 211 for help.
Bingdazzo says the best way people can help is by letting elected officials know how vital 211 is and by continuing to use the service themselves.