What
is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is a simple, easy-to-remember number
to call when you need help or access to human services. It is a free 24-hourservice so you get the help you need when you need it. When you
dial 2-1-1, your call will be answered by the local information &
referral agency, in Delaware and Morrow Counties, that is HelpLine, which
will then direct your call to the appropriate agency when you need information on:
How did 2-1-1 get
started?
In 1997, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
successfully established a local 2-1-1 project. Since then, they have
helped over 250,000 callers needing information about resources in their
community.
United Way of America and the Alliance of
Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) filed a petition with the FCC to
designate 2-1-1 as the universal access number for community services
information. In July, 2000, the FCC approved the designation.
In the summer of 1999 in Ohio, the 2-1-1
Ohio Collaborative, an association of non-profit agencies and
organizations, committed to bringing 2-1-1 to Ohio, was formed. In
December 1999, it filed a petition with the Public Utilities Commission of
Ohio (PUCO) asking that 2-1-1 be designated as the number to call for
community access in Ohio.
On July, 2001, the PUCO approved that
petition. In November of 2002, the first 2-1-1 call center went live,
HelpLine of Delaware & Morrow Counties. In February of 2003, the
second center launched 2-1-1, United Way HelpLine in Cincinnati.
Nationally, there are over 50 2-1-1 call
centers operational at this time. For more information about the national
2-1-1 initiative go to www.211.org.
For more information about 2-1-1 in Ohio, go to www.211ohio.net.
