ABOUT
211 CALIFORNIA
211
CALIFORNIA.
211 California supports and elevates 211 services across California.
California 211 Providers Network (211 California) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization. 211 California members include CPUC-authorized lead entities and local partner organizations.
Together, the 211 California network provides 24/7 211 coverage to over 98% of the state’s population, and provides disaster-only coverage statewide.
211 California works with members to connect and coordinate 211 services across the state, facilitate sharing best practices and innovation among network members, develop statewide and regional programs and solutions, and support disaster response.
Executive Director & CEO Alana Hitchcock represents California’s 211 providers at the 211 national coordinating and leadership bodies, including working to develop federal support for the 211 system.
WHAT IS 211?
211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services and childcare and family services.
WHAT DOES
211 DO?
No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that improve their lives. In 2022 alone, 211s in the US answered over 18 million calls, texts, chats and emails, helping millions of people with life-changing support. California’s 211s assisted 2.1 million requests for help
in 2022.
WHY DOES
211 MATTER?
211 does more than “patch people through” to agencies. Instead, 211 specialists are trained to identify root causes of a client’s problem – and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text or email.
No other program has its “finger on the pulse” of America’s greatest needs. It’s a vital part of the effort by public, private, and nonprofit partners to build stronger communities and fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. 211 makes the social services ecosystem/network more efficient by ensuring people in need are connected to agencies that can help them.