ROGERS — United Way of Northwest Arkansas and area nonprofit agencies are again on the front lines of information dissemination after the statewide 211 social service hotline closed Thursday because a lack of money.

Residents needing help could call 211 for referrals and answers, eliminating the need to call several agencies trying to find the one to provide needed help.

No state money was used to operate the system. Money for the service was provided by United Way, grants and donations.

State Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, a member of the budget committee, said Friday he is asking staff to see if money is available to keep the service going through the end of the year.

"If we can do that we might be able to put some funding for 211 in the budget next year," Hendren said.

The 211 system, which went online about 18 months ago, was heavily used in Washington and Benton counties.

"If you put the call volumes from both counties together, we had the heaviest volume of calls in the state," said Jill Darling, president of United Way and a member of the 211 Arkansas board of directors.

Reports on the state 211 Web site for August, the last month figures are available, show Washington and Benton counties received 600 calls. Pulaski County received 430 calls.

Darling attributes the volume of calls in Northwest Arkansas to a previous social services help line.

"Prior to 211 we had First Call For Help for about 10 years. So people were use to having information referral," Darling said.

The United Way board is scheduled to meet next week to discuss the loss of 211.

"We're going to see what we need to do to take up the slack now that 211 has gone away," Darling said.

One of the ideas likely to be discussed is whether it's feasible for United Way to operate the 211 system on a regional basis.

"We are trying to figure out what can be done, but we don't have any concrete plans at this time, there's just a lot of questions that haven't been answered," Darling said.

Local organization such as Helping Hands, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, the Salvation Army aren't likely to be affected.

"It's not a huge inconvenience for us, but I image it's a large inconvenience for the local United Way office," said Bill Crawford, executive director of Helping Hands in Bentonville.

The 211 system was an important tool, Crawford said. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a single organization such as Helping Hand to keep up with all social help organizations.

"We could refer a client to the 211 system and they could find the money, food or other service they needed," Crawford said.

Arkansas was one of 47 states with a 211 system. Of those 47 states, 42 received some form of state money, Darling said.

Matt DeCample, spokesman for Gov. Mike Beebe, said the state was never asked for a commitment to the program and never provided money for it.

Oklahoma's 211 system is one of the systems that receives state money.

The Tulsa, Okla.,-based 211 system covers 18 counties in Oklahoma.

"We have a funding mix," said Donnie House, supervisor. "About one-third of our funding is appropriated from the state through the Department of Human Services. We also get a third from United Way, and a third from private donations."

States with a 211 system are hoping a bill floating in Congress will eventually provide federal money for 211.

"That's going to have to happen if they want a true 211 network," House said. "The private funding you get usually just covers startup cost, but those types of funds phase out," she added.

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