Frequently Asked Questions
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities.
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 example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:
- Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
- Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children's Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
- Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.
- Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, and homemaker services.
- Support for Children, Youth and Families: Childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
-Volunteer Opportunities and Donations.
What is I&R?
Information and referral services (I&R) are the link between people seeking health and human services assistance and the appropriate providers of such services. I&R services across the United States answer more than 50 million calls annually.
I&R specialists assess callers' needs and determine the service provider best equipped to handle their problems or crises. Additionally, I&R specialists are trained to determine whether a caller may be eligible for other programs. I&R providers maintain comprehensive databases of resources, including federal, state and local government agencies, community-based organizations and private non-profits.
What is Help Hotline?
Help Hotline is the local I & R center that has been providing services to the residents of Mahoning County for the past 28 years. In 2003, Help Hotline provided information and referral to 84,138 callers in Mahoning County.
How did 2-1-1 get started?
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta launched the first 2-1-1 service in 1997. United Way of America is working in partnership with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) to promote nationwide access of 2-1-1.
In September of 2003, Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) joined Reps Richard Burr (R-NC) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), United Way of America and AIRS to announce the bipartisan legislation that would expand 2-1-1 service nationwide. The Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003 would authorize federal funding to stimulate implementation and sustain access to 2-1-1 for local communities nationwide.
As of June, 2004, 32% of the United States population, approximately 88 million Americans have access to 2-1-1 service. There are 128 active 2-1-1 systems in 26 states. To find a current list of where 2-1-1 is, log onto www.211.org/status.html.
What does the FCC ruling mean?
On Friday, July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 2-1-1 for community information and referral nationwide, making this scarce resource available for the sole purpose of community information and referral.
How is United Way involved?
United Ways have a long-standing commitment to funding information and referral (I&R) services in their communities. More than 500 United Ways fund or operate I&R call centers around the country. United Way of America is working in partnership with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems to support the nationwide rollout of 2-1-1.
Locally, United Way has been a long-time funder of Help Hotline, and has recently contributed an additional $10,400 to help to cover the costs of the 2-1-1 conversion.
How will 2-1-1 be funded?
As 2-1-1 Centers have developed in their communities, their funding sources vary. Generally, 2-1-1 is funded with money from the United Way, foundations, and federal, state, county and city government funds. Congress has recognized the value of I&R services by authorizing funds under such legislation as the Older Americans Act; the Social Services Block Grant and The Public Health Security and the Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act of 2002. The most successful 2-1-1 Centers involve strong public/private partnerships.
Locally, Help Hotline will provide the 2-1-1 service. Help Hotline is funded by the Mahoning County Mental Health Board, the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, and the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners. SBC has also provided funding to help with technology costs related to the conversion to 2-1-1.
Where can I find more information on 2-1-1?
For more information about 2-1-1, please contact the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way at 330-746-8494, or Help Hotline at 330-747-2696.
