Testimonials
On my way home I needed to pick up some items and dashed in a liquor store and about half way through I found myself crying! A homeless man asked me what the problem was and I said, “They are going to pull the plug on my dad tomorrow and I can’t even contact the doctor to talk to him about it!” The homeless man, said “Oh, you need to call 211, they will help you.”
And I said “They can’t possibly help me with this.” The homeless man said “Oh yes, they help with just about everything!” So the next morning I called 211 and someone on the line said they would help me. He called somewhere on my behalf with me and right after that the doctor called and we made a plan for my dad to recover…he is 81 years old now, in a wheelchair, but I have my dad… and I have 211 to thank.
How 2-1-1 Helps Emergency and Disaster Response
Emergency & Disaster Response
2-1-1 relieves pressure on 9-1-1 and emergency response teams by providing a number for citizens to call for non-emergency needs, freeing up emergency responders to deal with true emergencies.
2-1-1 provides citizens with critical non-emergency assistance such as:
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Information on evacuation and return routes
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Shelter/housing
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Food
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Social services
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Family reunification status
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Traffic closures
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School/work closures
2-1-1 played a critical role during the San Diego wildfires of 2007 by providing information and support to more than 130,000 residents in 5 days, as recounted in Trial by Fire.
“The 2-1-1 service was an invaluable resource during the firestorm in that it freed up calls from 9-1-1. We could give information on repopulated neighborhoods to the 2-1-1 operators. We saw 9-1-1 calls diminish over time because of that.”
-- San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore
During Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, California 2-1-1's also pitched in to help 2-1-1 providers in Louisiana and Texas handle the sharp rise in call volume.
Public Health
2-1-1 programs also can serve as the central point to to call for updated public health information, such as in the recent H1N1 scare.
Public Safety
2-1-1 provides a valuable referral number for public safety personnel. Police and sheriff's deputies have an easy-to-remember number to give to at-risk populations as a resource and possible crime prevention tool.
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Police called for suspected domestic violence are able to give one number for marriage/family counseling, substance abuse, job training, and other assistance which may help the family avoid violence and abuse. 2-1-1 helps law enforcement and the courts connect people in need with help.
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Police, fire and sheriff departments can hand-out 2-1-1 referral cards to community members in need of help.
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Courthouses can dedicate phones and computers in public areas that connect directly to the local 2-1-1. Juvenile court or family court judges may hand out referrals to 2-1-1 services from the bench.
Youth Crime Prevention
Research shows that by providing resources for at risk kids, their parents can help reduce criminal behavior later in life. 2-1-1 helps connect kids and their parents to a variety of critical programs, including:
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Preschool, for the fundamentals of a quality education
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Parenting classes, to prevent child-abuse and neglect
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Childcare, so parents can work and provide a better life
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After school programs, to involve kids in positive activities
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Counseling, so troubled youth can work through problems