2-1-1. Get Connected. Get Answers.
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 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers to free information about critical health and human services, community resources and government assistance available in their community. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers multilingual Certified Call Specialists to ensure each caller receives the information they need.

While resources offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 Call Specialists will provide comprehensive information and referral services to callers about a variety of issues, including:

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance
• Support for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, respite care, home health care, transportation, meal services
• Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, family resource centers, summer camps, recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services
• Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation
• Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs, unemployment benefits
• Support for Community Crisis or Disaster Recovery: 2-1-1 serves as a critical tool helping communities across the country respond, recover and rebuild after hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural and man-made disasters
• Volunteer Opportunities: 2-1-1 can connect callers with local volunteer opportunities

As of February 2007, 2-1-1 serves approximately 196 million Americans – over 65% of the U.S. population. By the end of 2007, 80% of the American population will have access to 2-1-1. Visit www.211.org to see if 2-1-1 is currently available in your community. United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people’s lives.

 
   
Success Story
In the two months following Hurricane Katrina, United Way of Northeast Louisiana fielded more than 111,000 2-1-1 calls assisting with such things as rescuing stranded people, locating missing loved ones and finding temporary housing 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember three-digit phone number connecting people with vital human services needs.

When someone calls 2-1-1, specially-trained staff and volunteers analyze what services are needed from local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, etc. and connect them with those services. 2-1-1 offers access to resources for basic human needs, physical and mental health, employment support, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, support for children, youth and families, and volunteer opportunities.
 
   
Learn More
To find out more about 2-1-1, visit www.nj211.org, www.211.org or contact us at (908) 725-6640.