MPSC designates Michigan 2-1-1 as Statewide 2-1-1 Coordinating Agency

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) designated Michigan 2-1-1 as the statewide 2-1-1 coordinating agency from April 1 to March 31, 2012. The abbreviated dialing number 2-1-1 has been assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable callers to reach community resource and referral answering points. Michigan 2-1-1 on Feb. 1 provided the MPSC with its annual progress report outlining the current state of 2-1-1 availability in Michigan and funding information. The MPSC notes that no counties were approved to receive 2-1-1 abbreviated dialing in 2010. Genesee and Shiawassee counties were approved in January 2011. With the addition of those two counties, some 85 percent of Michigan's population has access to 2-1-1. Regarding the remaining 15 percent, Michigan 2-1-1 in its report notes that 17 additional counties have begun to take steps to bringing 2-1-1 service to their areas. In today's order, the MPSC expressed concern over the apparent lack of sustainable and predictable funding for 2-1-1. It therefore directed Michigan 2-1-1 in its next application to include additional information on funding sources. The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth. Case No. U-14725 Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Thu, Mar 24, 2011