Nashville, TN Providing Voice Mail for the Homeless
Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 2/6/07
Source File: http://nashville.gov/mc/resolutions/rs2007_1755.htm
Text:
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. RS2007-1755
A resolution requesting the Department of Information Technology Services to provide a recommendation to the Council regarding the design and implementation of a community voice mail system that would provide free voice mail accounts to homeless persons.
WHEREAS, social workers have documented that the inability to receive messages is a crippling barrier to homeless persons who are trying to schedule job interviews or counseling appointments; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Francisco, California recently implemented a program called Project CARE (Communications and Respect for Everybody) whereby homeless persons are able to sign up for a telephone number where they can leave and receive voice mail messages; and
WHEREAS, there are currently 38 communities with a similar voice mail program for the homeless, including New York City; and
WHEREAS, community voice mail systems have proven to be an effective mechanism for enabling homeless persons to be connected with jobs, housing, and social and medical services; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government study and make a recommendation to the Council regarding the best and most economical way to implement a community voice mail system for homeless persons in Nashville, Tennessee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Department of Information Technology Services to provide a recommendation to the Council regarding the design and implementation of a community voice mail system that would provide free voice mail accounts to homeless persons.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Sandy Cole, the Director of the Department of Information Technology Services.
Section 3. The Department of Information Technology Services are further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof not later than sixty (60) days from the adoption of this Resolution.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.