Could 2-1-1 Information & Referral help you?

2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. When you call 2-1-1, a live person who is trained will answer and help you find the resources that you need. Many emergency planning systems count 2-1-1 as a partner in their Incident Command System structure and share the most current information during a crisis or disaster.

2-1-1 was first launched by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in 1997 and now reaches into 47 states and the District of Columbia. United Way supports 2-1-1 as the first number to call to connect with health and human services and volunteer opportunities. February 11th as National 2-1-1 Day.

2-1-1 and its goal to contribute vital information that benefits individuals and communities mirrors the mission of the 1,400 United Ways nationwide to better people’s lives.

The essence of 2-1-1 is in its simplicity:

? 2-1-1 is for everyone and can be remembered by everyone.

? 2-1-1 is free and confidential.

? 2-1-1 makes the entire human services sector at every level of government work more efficiently.

? 2-1-1 has proven itself time after time as an invaluable resource in the aftermath of a disaster.

? 2-1-1 is the number to call to give help and to get help.

As of March 2010, 2-1-1 has served over 243 million Americans (81 % of the entire population). 46 states have partial coverage and 34 states have 90%+ coverage. This includes Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

While services that are offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis.

For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:

Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs.

Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services.

Support for Children, Youth and Families: Quality childcare, Success by 6, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.

Volunteer opportunities and donations.

2-1-1 Information & Referral Search Using the search is easy once you log in to the 2-1-1 website (http://www.211.org), then in the box where it reads Type in ZIP Code, type in the ZIP code where you currently reside or the ZIP code of where you want to find services then click on the Go button to begin the search.

? The other options are city and state. Filling in as much information as  you can will give you better search results.

Cited: http://www.211.org

For our Canadian friends: 211Canada.ca