Testimonials
When I called 2-1-1 because someone told me they could help with nutrition, I never expected to get fresh food. They sent me to a food pantry where I got 3 onions, 4 potatoes, 4 bananas, orange, brown rice, black beans, 3 artichokes, raspberries, packaged lettuce for salad, carrots, purple cabbage, and chicken breast. I called 2-1-1 again right away and asked if I could go back to the pantry again and they told me I could go every week if I needed food. I would never have found about this if it weren’t for the people at 2-1-1!
About 2-1-1
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is a free phone number and online database that connects Californians quickly and effectively to existing health and human service programs, joblessness support and disaster response information in their communities. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in 150 different languages.
Currently, 92 percent of the state’s population in 27 counties has access to 2-1-1. Nationally, 2-1-1 covers 80 percent of the US population.
2-1-1 information and referral providers connect people of all income levels and language and cultural backgrounds to resources tailored to their needs and circumstances, taking into account accessibility, eligibility requirements and other factors through live assistance from certified I & R specialists or online.
2-1-1 Services in California
In 2009, over 1.6 million Californians relied on 2-1-1 for help finding needed community services such as rent and mortgage assistance, food and shelter, healthcare, job training, transportation, childcare, and senior care. For example, 2-1-1 services have been important gateways for enrolling low- and moderate-income families in health insurance programs, including Healthy Families and county-based Children's Health Initiatives.
2-1-1 also plays a critical role in providing information and support in times of disaster, such as evacuation, shelter, food, medical and recovery information, and providing public officials with feedback from callers about changing conditions. For example, in 2007 during the San Diego wild fires local 2-1-1s handled 130,000 calls in 5 days.
2-1-1 information and referral providers currently serve the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Ventura.
2-1-1 US
2-1-1 US leads the development nationwide 2-1-1information and referral service, and is a partnership of United Way Worldwide (UWW) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).
History
Authority for the operation of 2-1-1- information and referral services using the three-digit dialing code was first enacted by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000. The Commission charged each state with the task of implementing the 2-1-1 program. The FCC's regulatory framework was based upon the set of national program and operational standards put forward by the United Way of America and the Alliance of Information and Referral Services, the two major national leaders in the 2-1-1 movement.
California Public Utilities Commission
In California, the California Public Utilities Commission is responsible for the operation, oversight, regulation and authority for 2-1-1. 2-1-1 services are typically carried out by local organizations approved by the CPUC to use the 2-1-1 dialing code to serve specific counties. Information and referral centers seeking to utilize the 2-1-1 dial code apply to the CPUC for rights to use this special three digit dialing code.