2-1-1: Transforming Access to Human Services

"We find that the Information & Referral Petitioners have demonstrated sufficient public benefits to justify use of a scarce public resource and we therefore assign 2-1-1 to be used for access to community information and referral services."
Federal Communications Commission's final order to assign 2-1-1 on 21st July, 2000.

2-1-1 is a simple, easy-to-remember three-digit telephone number.

2-1-1 is a national partnership between AIRS and the United Way of America.

2-1-1 provides an easy way for everyone to access comprehensive and specialized I&R services in their community. This universal number connects individuals with community resources to find help or give help in their communities.

The mission of 2-1-1 is to build community capacity to strengthen the way people access help and engage in civic life. 

2-1-1 is built on existing I&R infrastructure and the AIRS Standards, providing a simple way for citizens to access comprehensive and specialized I&R services in their community. The United Way of America and AIRS have provided ongoing leadership to the 2-1-1 initiative to accelerate, lead, and support the implementation and sustainability of the national 2-1-1 system.

As of January 2010, 2-1-1 serves over 240 million Americans (more than 80% of the entire population) covering all or part of 46 states (including 34 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The remaining states are all in various stages of planning and implementation. Every few weeks, these coverage numbers increase.

To find a 2-1-1 service in the United States, visit www.211.org.

For more information on 2-1-1 in the United States, visit www.211us.org.
For more information on 2-1-1 in Canada, visit www.211canada.ca.

And here are some examples of 2-1-1 stories in the news.