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Last updated on Tuesday, January 7, 2014
(UNDATED) - The 211 services are operational and available to help anyone in need.
"Due to circumstances out of our control, we were forced to cease operations for a short period of time Monday from 6 pm to 8 am Tuesday morning.
"This is the first time since 211 began service in Indiana in 2004 that we have been forced to close. We are grateful to our partners for their help and support during this time.
"Please forward this information to anyone who needs to know that we are up and running and serving people in need."
In many states, dialing "211" provides individuals and families in need with a shortcut through what may be a bewildering maze of health and human service agencies' phone numbers. By simply dialing 211, those in need of assistance are referred, and sometimes connected, to appropriate agencies and community organizations.
Background
In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission reserved the 211 dialing code for community information and referral services. The FCC intended the 211 code as an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that would enable a critical connection between individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies.
Dialing 211 helps the elderly, the disabled, those who do not speak English, those who are having a personal crisis, those who have limited reading skills, or those who are new to their communities, among others, by providing referrals to, and information about, health and human services organizations and agencies.
2-1-1 reaches approximately 270 million people (90% of the total U.S. population), covering all 50 states (including 41 states with 90%+ coverage), the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Yet millions of Americans still need to be connected. To find out whether 211 services are offered in your area and to obtain more information, visit www.211.org.
Types of Referrals Offered by 211
Basic Human Needs Resources - including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.
Physical and Mental Health Resources - including health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health resources, health insurance programs for children, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, and drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
Work Support - including financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities - including adult day care, community meals, respite care, home health care, transportation and homemaker services.
Children, Youth and Family Support - including child care, after school programs, educational programs for low-income families, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
Emergency Suicide Prevention - referral to suicide prevention help organizations. Callers can also dial the following National Suicide Prevention Hotline numbers operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish)
Individuals who wish to donate time or money to community help organizations can also do so by dialing 211.
For More Information
For information about other communications issues, visit the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau website, or contact the FCC's Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
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