Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – As part of efforts to provide resources and support for families and the community, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) is partnering with Hidalgo County and numerous local agencies to ramp up districtwide efforts to promote the 2-1-1 Texas service hotline available 24 hours a day.
Offered by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, 2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service program that connects Texas residents with important local and state health and human resources they need. Each year millions of Texas utilize the hotline for help with basic needs like food, housing, child care, or emergency services.
“We want to encourage our families and communities to be aware of this invaluable resource available to them to ensure they get any support they may need,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rolando “Rudy” Trevino. “It is very important to us as a school district that we are always looking out for the needs of those we serve. The reality is that these needs often go beyond the classroom. We want to ensure our students and their families have the resources necessary so that together we can help them achieve the highest levels of success.”
Efforts to raise awareness about 2-1-1 throughout residents of the Rio Grande Valley are being led as part of a new Hidalgo County Prosperity Taskforce formed by Judge Hidalgo Richard F. Cortez and comprised of numerous agencies including Community Council of the Rio Grande Valley/211 Texas Program, PSJA ISD, South Texas College, and the Texas A&M Colonias Outreach Program.
“2-1-1 has been designated to connect residents of the Rio Grande Valley, not just Hidalgo County, with these resources and services available to them, 24 hours a day,” said Abby Torre, Director for Community Council of the Rio Grande Valley/211 Texas Program.
Currently at PSJA ISD, Counselors and Social Workers are equipped districtwide with a 2-1-1 resource book that is utilized to help connect families with needed resources.
“This is a great free resource available for our families to support them with their needs,” said Special Education Social Worker Daisy Zuniga. “We are always looking for ways to help those we serve, and this is one of those great resources to know. I encourage families and everyone in the community who needs any type of assistance to reach out. Their website has a lot of information as to the resources they offer.”
For more information regarding 2-1-1 Texas, individuals may dial 2-1-1, or visit www.211texas.org.
