About the Nationwide 2-1-1 Effort
Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services - from finding an after-school program 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 services because they do not know where to start. 2-1-1 helps people find and give help.
2-1-1 reaches approximately 196 million people (over 65% of the total U.S. population) in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. The implementation of 2-1-1 is being spearheaded by United Ways and comprehensive and specialized information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.
What is 2-1-1?
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2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.
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2-1-1 reaches approximately 196 million people (over 65% of the total U.S. population) in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Yet, millions of Americans still need to be connected.
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America needs 2-1-1 to be accessible nationwide. As the number of organizations providing specialized services is on the rise, people find it frustrating and confusing to access community services. 2-1-1 provides a one-stop service for vital information.
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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 more information please visit the National 2-1-1 website: www.211.org