Welcome to Heartland United Way

2-1-1 Available in the Heartland

The Heartland United Way along with AIRS (Alliance of information and referral systems) and the Central District Health Department has launched 2-1-1 in Hall, Howard, Hamilton and Merrick counties. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with community services and volunteer opportunities in their local area. The 2-1-1 hotline was activated on July 1, 2004 and operates 24 hours a day. 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, 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.

The first 2-1-1 service was launched in metropolitan Atlanta in 1997. As of January 2004, 28% of the United States population had access to 2-1-1 services. 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. The decision was made to provide an area 2-1-1 service when the Little Diana Task Force, which was set up after the tragic death of an area 2 year old, determined the need in our area for an information and referral service. This service would make a critical connection between individuals and families in need and appropriate community based organizations and government agencies. Help is now just a phone call away.

2-1-1 is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is multilingual access and the 2-1-1 service is provided to Hall, Howard, Hamilton and Merrick counties. 2-1-1 services are now available on the web at www.ne211.org.