2-1-1 Community Information Line Celebrates 4 Years

Feb. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- SANTA ROSA – A resource that nearly 13,000 callers use every year in Sonoma County is celebrating its fourth anniversary.  211 Sonoma County launched four years ago with the goal that  residents could simply dial 2-1-1 and reach a caring, trained specialist, who will match their needs with local community services, such as flu-shot information, senior services, employment assistance, summer camps, and much more.   Available 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, 2-1-1 is also an integral component of Sonoma County’s disaster-response infrastructure.  

Nationally, 2-1-1 serves 75 percent of the American public.  During times of disaster, 2-1-1 Information and Referral is the centralized source of emergency information and is the one access point people need to find the real-time information that is critical. In an emergency, 2-1-1 Information and Referral operates under the direction of the state's emergency management. Information such as road closures, pharmacies, and volunteer efforts are all available 24 hours a day.        

United Way of the Wine Country CEO Mike Kallhoff said, “2-1-1 is a vital public communication vehicle through which individuals, families and whole communities gain access to comprehensive and up-to-date information. It’s now tax season and with a simple phone call we are able to connect individuals and families with free tax preparation for households with income of $50,000 or less.”

2-1-1 Sonoma County Program Director Jim Bray said, “2-1-1 is simple, easy-to-remember, toll-free, and available 24-7. Both on a daily basis and in times of disaster, 2-1-1 is the one number people need to know to get help and information."

2-1-1 Sonoma County has helped over 40,000 callers connect with more than 100,000 health and human services in four years.

About 2-1-1 Sonoma County

2-1-1 Sonoma County is a public-private partnership between United Way of the Wine Country and Volunteer Center of Sonoma County.  Partners include County of Sonoma, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Kaiser Permanente, Bank of America, and First 5 Sonoma County.

  2-1-1 Sonoma County Fact Sheet

What is 2-1-1?

For every day needs and in times of disaster, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number that connects Sonoma County residents with local community services, such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, quality child care and more.  2-1-1 is confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages.  2-1-1 also serves as a vital link for individuals seeking to volunteer and provide resources to nonprofit organizations.  

2-1-1 Sonoma County online:  

www.211wc.org (includes searchable database)

Sonoma County Information & Referral (I&R) volume:  

Spoke with 13,000 people about their needs in 2012

2-1-1’s role in disaster response and recovery

·         2007 Southern California Wildfires:  The importance of 2-1-1 during disaster was underscored during the October 2007 wildfires in Southern California, where 2-1-1 San Diego call volume peaked at 30,000 calls a day – up from 800 daily – as residents sought information about evacuation sites, road closures, shelters, medical assistance, pet and large-animal care, and more.

·         In the Sonoma County:  When a major disaster strikes Sonoma County, 2-1-1 will provide residents with critical information about evacuation routes, food and shelter, as well as support with finding new jobs and permanent housing during long-term recovery.

What's the difference between 2-1-1, 4-1-1, 9-1-1, etc.?  

2-1-1:          Community services

4-1-1:          Directory assistance

5-1-1:          Traffic and transit

6-1-1:          AT&T repair service

7-1-1:          California relay for hearing impaired

8-1-1:          “Call before you dig” for locating underground utility lines

9-1-1:          Life-threatening emergency services