United Way 2-1-1 (formerly InfoLine)
Help is Just a Call Away
United Way 2-1-1 (formerly InfoLine) is a system of help via telephone - a single integrated source for information about community services, crisis intervention and referrals to health and human services. It is accessed toll-free from anywhere in Connecticut by simply dialing 2-1-1 and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Multilingual call specialists and TDD access is available.
How 2-1-1 Helps CallersConnecticut residents call 2-1-1 for many different types of help. Professional call specialists help callers with such complex issues as substance abuse, gambling, domestic violence programs, suicide prevention, financial problems, and much more. Other callers may simply be looking for volunteer opportunities. By dialing 2-1-1, a caller is connected with a 2-1-1 information specialist who helps the caller assess their situation and finds the closest community services that can assist them. It’s important for people to remember that 9-1-1 remains the number to call for police, fire or EMS emergency response and 4-1-1 remains the number to call for telephone directory information.
Serving Agencies, Government and Businesses2-1-1 has developed the state’s most comprehensive database of human service resources. It is continuously updated, providing the foundation for mailing list, a statewide directory available on CD Rom, and a searchable database on http://www.211ct.org/. The collection of data on demographics and caller problems provides another valuable resource by presenting an overview of the problems facing Connecticut residents. This data is used for many types of human-needs assessments in the state.
Customized arrangements enable many non-profit agencies to provide after-hours coverage for their clients. 2-1-1 call specialists screen calls and access agency staff when crisis intervention is necessary.
Typical Calls to 2-1-1
A mother seeks counseling for her son who is not going to school regularly.
A landlord is threatened by a tenant who damaged his apartment, moved out and now wants his security deposit.
A caller is depressed, considering suicide and desperately needs help.
A young woman with a disability inquires about available transportation.
Amidst a harsh winter, a man loses his job and needs help to heat his home and keep his family warm.
An elderly woman just lost her husband of 50 years to cancer and wants to find a support group.
The caller needs information about eligibility for Food Stamps.
A guidance counselor is searching for a parenting education course for a teen father.
A recent widower is looking for a social group to join.
A caller with gambling problems seeks services for help.
A traveler wants to know how to get a passport.
A teenager has problems at home, a father who drinks, and needs someone to talk to.
A nearly life-long smoker wants to find a local smoking cessation program.
An older man caring for his wife with Alzheimer’s is now exhausted and needs help and respite.
A recent divorcee misses work to take care of the children and needs an open slot for affordable child care
History of 2-1-1
2-1-1 was created in 1976 as a public/private partnership of United Way and the State of Connecticut. By the mid-eighties, it had gained national recognition as a model system. In 1995, 2-1-1 was certified in crisis intervention by the American Association of Suicidology.
In 1998, the Governor and Legislature supported the initiative for an easy-to-remember, three-digit 2-1-1 number for health and human services resources. The number went into effect in March 1999, replacing 1-800-203-1234. Though there are numerous information and referral services throughout the country, Connecticut was the first state in the nation to use 2-1-1 statewide.
In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission designated 2-1-1 as the number to call nationally for information about health and human services. United Way of Connecticut was a leader in making the three-digit number accessible nationwide and is now involved in helping other states set up their 2-1-1 systems.
2-1-1 is a public/private partnership between the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways. 2-1-1 is accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS) and by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
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