2-1-1 Information & Assistance

What is 2-1-1?

Do you need help finding help? Are you facing difficult times and do not know where to turn? Looking for help with everyday needs? Dialing 2-1-1 is your first step. 2-1-1 is a simple number to dial for information about health and human service organizations in your community. By dialing 2-1-1, information is much easier to find.

Dial 2-1-1, to speak with a live Call Specialist. The Call Specialist will empower the caller by referring and educating them about government programs, community-based organizations, support groups, and other local resources The Call Specialist will advocate on the behalf of those unable to help themselves.

2-1-1 Information and Assistance is:

• A toll free call from Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties.
• Confidential telephone assistance.
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Live translation services for 170 languages.
• Access for persons who have special needs.
• Ability to transfer emergency calls to 9-1-1.
• Accurate information about community resources in Northwest Indiana.

What 2-1-1 Is Not

While 2-1-1 IS your connection to thousands of services and organizations in communities across Northwest Indiana, there are some things 2-1-1 IS NOT:
• 2-1-1 is not Emergency Service—for Police Emergencies, Fire or Ambulance, always dial 9-1-1.
• 2-1-1 is not Directory Assistance—for help finding a residential or business telephone number, dial 4-1-1.
• 2-1-1 is not the number to dial to access Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) enabling Deaf and Hearing Impaired persons to communicate with the hearing by phone. The number to access TRS in the U.S. and Canada is 7-1-1. (Indiana Relay)
• 2-1-1 is not the number to dial to identify underground utility lines before you dig. To contact the Dig Safe System for Indiana, always dial 8-1-1.

If you have additional questions please e-mail info@nwi-ca.org

What is Information and Referral?

Information and Referral (I&R) is the art, science and practice of bringing people and services together. I&R is an integral part of the overall human services sector.

I&R organizations create and maintain databases of programs and services and make that information available to individuals and communities through a variety of communication channels.  People in search of critical services such as emergency financial assistance, food, shelter, child care, jobs, or mental health support often do not know where to begin.

Without I&R, looking for help means scanning dozens of phone numbers and then contacting a maze of agencies and services in the hope of making the right connection.

I&R resource databases contain a detailed description of the programs and services provided by community, social, health and government organizations. The information is searchable using a variety of criteria and the programs are indexed according to a hierarchical classification system. The databases are maintained by trained Resource Specialists and may be published in directories or made available over the Internet.

Most people receive information and referral assistance via the telephone.  Their needs may span the spectrum of human experience from prenatal planning to financial assistance for a funeral and all life moments, both major and minor, in between.  People talk with trained, empathetic I&R Specialists who assess their needs in a non-threatening, non-judgmental and confidential manner and help them understand their situations and make informed decisions about possible solutions.  The I&R Specialist can, when necessary, assist people who are in crisis and emergency situations.  I&R Specialists can also advocate on behalf of individuals who need additional support.

I&R agencies may be independent nonprofits, libraries, faith-based organizations, or government agencies at every level.  I&R may be the main service of an agency or a separate program within a multi-service organization. Some I&R agencies are comprehensive in nature, providing information about all human services within a geographic area; while other I&R agencies are specialized, providing in-depth information about resources for specific population groups such as older adults, children, victims of violence or people with mental health issues. Some comprehensive I&R agencies may also operate specialized I&R services and/or crisis intervention programs.

Over the past few years, I&R is acquiring an increasingly visible role through its involvement with the three-digit 2-1-1 dialing code that is fundamentally changing the nature of access to human services.  This easy-to-remember, universal number connects individuals with community resources. 2-1-1 provides an easy way for everyone to access services.

When individuals, families and communities don't know where to turn, I&R is there for them.

From AIRS – Alliance of Information and Referral Systems http://www.airs.org/aboutairs/about_whatisinr.asp

Commonly Asked Questions:

How many states have access to 2-1-1?

2-1-1 serves approximately 196 million Americans - over 65% of the US population; 189 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 41 states (including 22 states with 100% coverage) plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. See Map of 211 Coverage Source: United Way of America

How is 2-1-1 funded?

Currently, 2-1-1's across the country are funded through various local and state sources including local United Way chapters and other nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and state and local government funds. A bi-partisan bill (S-211) named the Calling For 2-1-1 Act that would provide Federal funding for 2-1-1 and encourage support of it nationwide.

Click for more information about the Calling For 2-1-1 Act.

Will 2-1-1 work from my phone?

PBX Telephone Systems

If you are a business or agency manager, chances are you own a specialized telephone system that helps manage your telecommunications activity. If so, you will need to complete some special programming to your phone system so you and your staff can call 2-1-1.

Unfortunately, there is no generic description for how to make these modifications. A non-technical person will not be able to complete them, so we recommend that you consult your in-house technical staff or telephone equipment support vendor for assistance.

If your organization's telephone system is a PBX system, the modifications will need to be made in the digit translation tables. The technician could likely use the 911 programming as a template.

Once the modifications are made, you and your staff will simply need to dial 9- (for an outside line) 2-1-1 to be connected with our local information and referral for community social service help.

What kind of services can you refer me to?
2-1-1 provides all people in Northwest Indiana with free access to community resources through information and referral (I&R). This access includes personal assistance by telephone and online through a searchable database of services, including the following:
• Clothing and Thrift Shops
• Consumer Services
• Crisis Services
• Discrimination Assistance
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
• Education—GED Instruction, Computer Classes
• Employment Services
• Food Shelves and Nutrition Programs
• Health Care Services
• Alcohol and Drug Programs
• Housing—Homeless Prevention, Shelter, Tenants’ Rights, subsidized housing
• Independent Living Services
• Legal Assistance
• Mental Health Care and Counseling
• Mentoring
• Military, Family and Community Network
• Parenting Programs
• Senior Programs
• Stop Smoking Programs
• Support Groups
• Transportation
• Utility Assistance
• Youth and Family Services
• Veteran Services
• Volunteering
• Wellness Programs
• And More...

Just dial 2-1-1

What is Disaster Response?

2-1-1 has been recognized as a critical partner in providing assistance when a disaster strikes. From regional floods to earthquakes, hurricanes, and acts of terrorism, 2-1-1 has been the number to call for thousands who have been affected by the disaster and don't know where to turn next.

During an emergency, 2-1-1s have been demonstrated to make the following critical contributions:
• expand the capacity of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) by providing trained information and referral specialists and by offering the public an alternative access point for information;
• provide critically needed management of information about availability of services and the status of health and human service organizations and government agencies;
• identify unmet and emerging needs , helping direct resources to high priority places;
• provide critically needed telephone reassurance and crisis support for callers, complementing the work of the EOCs;
• help mobilize and manage volunteers and cash and in-kind donations;
• serve as intake points on behalf of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, increasing the efficiency of connecting people with needed help; and,
• offer a sustained connection to help for people whose lives are dramatically affected by the storm as they become part of long-term recovery efforts.

Local Disaster Response
Lake Area Regional Recovery in Indiana (LARRI):
LARRI works to meet the needs of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties during times of disaster.

NWICA 2-1-1 has been recognized as a critical partner to LARRI. NWICA 2-1-1 responded to the information and assistance needs of the residents of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties during the September Flood. NWICA 2-1-1 is currently the access point for LARRI’s Long Term Recovery effort.

Find out more about LARRI.

Disaster Assistance in Northwest Indiana (DANI):
DANI works to meet the needs of the 8 counties on the southwest end of the disaster area. The counties included are Tippecanoe, Carroll, White, Jasper, Benton, Pulaski, Fulton, and Cass.

Find out more about DANI.

About the 2-1-1 Database

The NWICA 2-1-1 Database contains information about available community resources for people throughout Indiana, including detailed data on health and human services. NWICA 2-1-1 currently welcomes new agencies, programs and services interested in joining our database. All agencies submitting information go through a review process which includes meeting the criteria of NWICA. Please review our Inclusion Exclusion criteria.

If you have questions regarding the database, e-mail: info@nwi-ca.org