What are the benefits of the 211 online database? 

• Free online, providing 24/7 availability
• Extensive and up-to-date; information expanded and updated on a daily basis
• User-friendly; search by organization, subject, or keyword
• Searches can be streamlined to limit geographically and by language
• Supports potential for greater coordination of services, planning, and needs assessment efforts
• Businesses can help their employees locate help for employees’ personal and family problems as well as education and training opportunities
• School guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, and psychologists can locate resource & referral information for students and families within minutes.
• Students can access information independently and use the database for research and to locate volunteer and internship opportunities.
• Community-based agencies and government departments can use the database to support their information & referral activities—freeing staff to spend more time with clients.
• Hospitals, private practitioners, and health care workers can use the database to assist with discharge planning and community referrals for the entire family’s needs

What’s included?

Health services * counseling & substance abuse services * support groups * childcare and eldercare * education and training programs * food and emergency services * parenting education * housing assistance * disability services * literacy and TASC classes * family violence services * financial management assistance * hotlines * volunteer opportunities * schools * camps and youth services * libraries * chambers of commerce * civic and other community organizations

Each entry contains detailed information, including:

• Agency – the official name of the organization
• Service – specific programs and services of each agency
• Address – including mailing, E-mail, and homepage addresses
• Telephone – includes telephone, fax, hotline, and TTY numbers
• Days/Hours – office hours or hours of operation
• Purpose – description of services
• Eligibility – to whom the services are provided, necessary documentation, special requirements, any limitations to clients served, fees, or forms of payment accepted.
• Languages spoken
• Accessibility
• Personnel – usually the agency or program director
• Multiple index terms – using the Taxonomy of Human Services
• Date of entry/update – the currency of information