News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2-1-1 Texoma Area Information Center achieves National Accreditation

SHERMAN, JULY 5, 2022 – Eric M. Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today that the 2-1-1 Texoma Area Information Center (AIC) has successfully attained national accreditation from the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).

2-1-1 Texoma AIC joins more than 140 organizations in the United States and Canada to have successfully attained AIRS Accreditation. “Accreditation is reserved only for those who’ve demonstrated achievement in service quality, effectiveness, community involvement, organizational stability, database competency, and other standards within the information and referral field,” said Mr. Bridges. “This is the fourth time 2-1-1 Texoma has attained this important credential. I could not be more proud of our dedicated 2-1-1 team. It is because of their tireless efforts that accreditation was possible.”

2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, the goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from local and state health and human services programs. This goal is accomplished through the work of 25 Area Information Centers (AICs) across the state.

2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 2-1-1 provides help with basic needs like food assistance, housing, utility assistance, child care, substance abuse treatment, mental services, aging services, and assistance for veterans. 2-1-1 also connects callers to a host of state services through various options, or may speak to a Certified Resource Specialist, who may connect them.

The local 2-1-1 staff consists of Alison Tesney, Anita Haliburton, Mary Browning-Rodriguez, Melinda Sinor, and Shawnee Bartlett.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.