Frequently Asked Questions

2-1-1 is a phone number that connects people with important community services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned 2-1-1 nationwide as the phone number to dial for help with health and human services. Nearly 283 million people have access to 2-1-1 systems in 50 states, plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. When you call 2-1-1, you are connected to a Community Resource Navigation provider in your area, if service is available. Our 2-1-1 program provides 24-hour coverage to 16 counties in Ohio. You can call for yourself, a friend, or a family member. Social workers and case managers can use 2-1-1 to locate resources for their clients. 2-1-1 provides information about agencies that serve people from birth through older adulthood. Anyone seeking information on available community resources can use 2-1-1. See Process to learn more about what to expect when you contact us. If you need to locate a 2-1-1 service in another area, visit www.211.org for assistance.

When you call or chat with 2-1-1, you will reach a professional Community Resource Navigation specialist who will talk to you about your needs. After asking some questions to help locate programs that best fit your individual situation, they will search our community resource database to locate available service providers. You and your specialist will then work together to develop a plan, identifying the agencies you can contact, reviewing how to contact them, and discussing any other information that could ensure you get the service you need. Check out the Process section for a breakdown of a typical contact, and to listen to a sample call.

2-1-1 is for non-emergency calls related to health and social services. 4-1-1 is for directory assistance. 9-1-1 is for emergency calls where fire, police or medical response is needed.

You will not be charged for dialing 2-1-1 from a home landline phone. You will use minutes when you dial 2-1-1 from a cell phone. If you call 2-1-1 from a pay phone, you will be charged for a local call.

If you are having problems reaching us by dialing 2-1-1, or are trying to reach us using a rotary phone, dial 888-508-4211. If you are using a cell or TouchTone telephone, please let the Navigation Specialist who answers your call know that dialing 2-1-1 did not work. The Specialist will ask you for your area code and prefix (area code + the next 3 numbers of your phone number). This will help us identify the problem. Dialing 2-1-1 works from most cell phones, but your ability to reach us will depend on your location, your carrier/company and the age of your cell phone. Some businesses will need to remove any internal phone system blocks to use 2-1-1.

2-1-1 maintains information on more than 3,000 health and human service agencies. Together, these agencies offer over 18,000 different services. A team of professional, certified Community Resource Content Specialists updates the listings daily as needed, and all agencies are contacted annually with an opportunity to review and update their entire listing. Our database contains detailed information on each program, including a description, eligibility, required documents, intake/access method, fees, hours of service and phone numbers. In addition, we have information on each agency, such as its website, name of the executive director, year organized, travel instructions and other items. Information provided through 2-1-1 includes such services as: basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing and utility assistance; health and mental health resources such as Medicaid, Medicare, community clinics, support groups and counseling; work support such as job training and education programs; supports for older adults and persons with disabilities such as adult day care, Meals on Wheels, home health care and transportation; youth and family services, such as Head Start, recreation programs, parenting help, child support and custody, mentoring and tutoring; and much more, including agencies that accept your donated items. See the Services section for more detailed information about each of these categories.

The information our Navigation Specialists provide was collected from and vetted with agency representatives by our Content Specialists. Inclusion does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion imply disapproval. Every effort has been made to supply complete and accurate information; however, as agencies and programs may change their service delivery status, types, methods and criteria at any time, 2-1-1 makes no representation with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the contents of the database and specifically disclaims any implied responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided, including any and all liability for loss or damage. Agencies may be absent from the database due to the inclusion/exclusion policy of 2-1-1. 2-1-1 also reserves the right to prioritize and limit inclusion. Factors such as staffing, funding and agency participation affect the extent to which all eligible agencies can be included. 2-1-1 cannot endorse nor guarantee quality for the services and agencies listed in the Community Resource Database. 2-1-1 neither oversees nor regulates the delivery of their services.

If you would like your agency to be added to our database, please email us. A Community Resource Content Specialist will call you to see if your agency meets our inclusion criteria. 2-1-1 will not generally include for-profit businesses, private practitioners, or retailers. Other restrictions may also apply.