What is 211?

Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services - from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they do not know where to start.
In communities with 211, a person trying to find help, give help or volunteer will call 211, and their call will be routed to the Information and Referral center delivering 211 in their area.

Examples of the services any caller might need include:

• day care
• programs for people with disabilities
• housing services
• counselling services
• financial support 
• recreational programs
• educational opportunities
• parenting classes
• employment opportunities
• rehabilitation information
• health services

The 211 call will be answered by an Information and Referral specialist who assesses the caller's needs and refers the person to the appropriate community, social, health and government services. The caller is provided with phone numbers, programs and services provided, location, hours of operation, and whatever other information is relevant to the caller’s inquiry.

211 will be available 24 hours a day where needed and where resources permit.