In many states, dialing “211” provides
individuals and families in need with a shortcut through what may
be a bewildering maze of health and human service agencies’ phone
numbers. By simply dialing 211, those in need of assistance are
referred, and sometimes connected, to appropriate agencies and
community organizations.
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Background
In July 2000, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) reserved the 211 dialing
code for community information and referral services. The
FCC intended the 211 code as an easy-to-remember and
universally recognizable number that would enable a critical
connection between individuals and families in need and the
appropriate community-based organizations and government
agencies. Dialing 211 helps the elderly, the disabled, those
who do not speak English, those who are having a personal
crisis, those who have limited reading skills, or those who
are new to their communities, among others, by providing
referrals to, and information about, health and human
services organizations and agencies.
Currently, active 211 systems cover all
or part of 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. To
find out whether 211 services are offered in your area and
to obtain more information, visit
www.211.org. |
How 211 Works
211 works a bit like 911. Calls to 211 are
routed by the local telephone company to a local or regional
calling center. The 211 center’s referral specialists question
callers, access databases of resources available from private
and public health and human service agencies, match the callers’
needs to available resources, and link or refer them directly to
an agency or organization that can help.
Types of Referrals Offered by 211
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Basic Human Needs Resources –
including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance,
and utility assistance.
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Physical and Mental Health Resources
– including health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare,
maternal health resources, health insurance programs for
children, medical information lines, crisis intervention
services, support groups, counseling, and drug and alcohol
intervention and rehabilitation.
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Work Support – including financial
assistance, job training, transportation assistance and
education programs.
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Support for Older Americans and Persons
with Disabilities – including adult day care, community
meals, respite care, home health care, transportation, and
homemaker services.
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Children, Youth, and Family Support
– including child care, after school programs, educational
programs for low-income families, family resource centers,
summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, and
protective services.
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Emergency Suicide Prevention –
referral to suicide prevention help organizations. Callers can
also dial the following National Suicide Prevention Hotline
numbers operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human
Services:
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1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
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1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
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1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish).
Individuals who wish to donate time or money
to community help organizations can also do so by dialing 211.
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For More Information
For more information about
this issue or any other telecommunications-related issues,
visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web
site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the
FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov;
calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232;
or writing to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
455 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
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Federal Communications Commission
