Alliance of Information and Referral Systems AIRS AIRS

Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS)

AIRS is … • …the international voice of Information and Referral (I&R). • …a professional membership association of more than 1, 200 organizations, bringing people and services together. • …in partnership with 211 US and the United Way Worldwide, a leader of the 21 -1 movement that has transformed access to comprehensive human services.

AIRS is … • …the driving force in the development of clear and consistent professional Standards that benchmark every aspect of quality I&R. • … the credentialing authority behind an accreditation program that measures an organization’s ability to meet the AIRS Standards, and a certification program that evaluates the competence of I&R practitioners.

AIRS is … • …a touchstone of training, support and technical assistance that culminates in an annual international I&R conference. • … an integrated membership structure that supports 28 state and regional Affiliates. • …an acknowledged leader in human services working in partnerships with organizations such as the United Way Worldwide, the National Association of State United for Aging and Disabilities, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n 4 a) and Inform. Canada

Information and Referral … bringing people and services together • I&R organizations create and maintain resource databases of programs and services and make that information available to individuals and communities through a variety of communication channels (such as call centers and websites).

Information and Referral … bringing people and services together • When individuals and families don't know where to turn, I&R is there for them. • I&R is a keystone of the entire human services sector. • I&R is for everyone.

2 -1 -1 … transforming access to human services • 2 -1 -1 is a simple, easy-to-remember three -digit telephone number that has revolutionized access to human services • 2 -1 -1 is a national partnership between 211 US, AIRS and United Way Worldwide • 2 -1 -1 is efficient, fast, confidential and easy to use

2 -1 -1 … transforming access to human services • One call accesses resources across the community • No more wrong numbers, no more wasted time trying to find the right resources • 2 -1 -1 strengthens communities by uniting the people who want to give help with those who need help

2 -1 -1 … transforming access to human services • As of 2013, 2 -1 -1 services became available to more than 270 million Americans – over 90% of the entire population – with around 240 active 2 -1 -1 systems. In Canada, 2 -1 -1 covers over 56% of the entire population.

I&R … in times of disaster • I&R provides practical assistance in: Pre-disaster planning. Disaster duration. Disaster aftermath. Disaster recovery. I&R has proven itself in every disaster situation it has encountered.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Standards for Professional Information and Referral – First published in 1973 and now in its 6 th edition, the AIRS Standards underpin and bind together every aspect of I&R and define the direction of all the products and services provided by AIRS. The Standards are the foundation of 2 -1 -1 service delivery and the prime benchmark of quality I&R.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Accreditation Program – Accreditation assesses the ability of I&R providers to demonstrate full compliance with the AIRS Standards. Accreditation is a multi-phase process to verify that an organization meets the 174 distinct components of the accreditation criteria. More than 130 organizations in the United States and Canada have successfully attained AIRS Accreditation.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Certification Program – Professional credentials are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the appropriate AIRS Certification Program for I&R practitioners. Certification is a measurement of demonstrated ability in the field of I&R reflecting necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and work-related behaviors.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Certification Program – More than 600 individuals apply for certification every year. Recertification is required every two years and there are now more than 3, 800 I&R practitioners who are either Certified I&R Specialists, Certified Resource Specialists or Certified I&R Specialists – Aging.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – ABCs of I&R – This 600 -page publication is the foundation for training new Information & Referral Specialists and Resource Specialists, and also serves as a reference tool and refresher for more experienced staff.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Networker (http: //airsnetworker. airs. org) is a Web 2. 0 application that allows AIRS members to work together in all manner of online communities and collaborations. It is a professional social networking application and you are free to harness its power in any way that helps yourself and your organization

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS/INFOLINE Taxonomy of Human Services – The Taxonomy is a hierarchical classification system used for indexing human service databases, allowing resource information to be categorized in a systematic manner using consistent language. There are more than 9, 000 fully-defined Taxonomy terms that cover every conceivable aspect of human services.

AIRS Products and Services … the benefits of membership – AIRS Annual I&R Training and Education Conference – On-going training, support and technical assistance is provided to members, highlighted by an annual international conference. Additional regional training is provided through the AIRS Affiliate structure.

AIRS Affiliates … reaching out and moving forward • AIRS Affiliates are membership organizations representing I&R providers within a state or larger region. • Affiliates help shape, inform and implement the mission of AIRS at the local level in order to support and build excellence in I&R. • AIRS currently has 28 independent Affiliates.

AIRS – AIRS is a professional membership organization for I&R service providers. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) incorporated in 1973 to improve access to human services for individuals, families and communities. – For more information about AIRS, visit www. airs. org or write info@airs. org.