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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities and that will have a positive impact throughout the system of health and human services in Ventura County.
For emergencies, individuals are instructed to dial 9-1-1.
2-1-1 provides callers* with information about, and referrals to, health and 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 resources including food, clothing, and shelter
- Physical and mental health resources
- Drug and alcohol intervention, and rehabilitation
- Employment support including job training and transportation assistance
- Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities
- Support for children, youth and families
- Childcare
- Legal help and hospice care
- Summer camps and recreation programs
- Protective services
How is United Way involved with 2-1-1?
United Way of Ventura County and Interface Children Family Services have formed a partnership to bring 2-1-1 to Ventura County. United Way is spearheading the 2-1-1 community awareness and outreach efforts in Ventura County, and is working with First 5 Ventura County and other organizations to fund start-up costs and ongoing operations.
How is 2-1-1 funded?
If approved this year, under congressional legislation $200 million would be given to states annually to implement and maintain 2-1-1. In Ventura County, to receive this funding, matching donations from corporations, businesses, foundations, governmental agencies and individual donors are required. Companies and individuals can pave the way in support of 2-1-1 in Ventura County by joining the 2-1-1 Leaders Circle. Any donations given in support of 2-1-1 are accepted and appreciated. However, donations given to 2-1-1 ranging in amount levels from $500 to $50,000+ will become part of the 2-1-1 Leaders Circle.
Who do I contact for 2-1-1 program information?
Who do I contact for information on how I can become a 2-1-1 donor?
* Some cell phone users may need to Dial 800.339.9597
to connect with the 2-1-1 Helpline.
Residential and most pay phone lines have been routed to accomodate the 2-1-1 dialing.
Businesses and larger organizations that utilize an internal phone system or PBX may need to program their system in order for 2-1-1 to be recognized as a valid number. Programming would be similar to the way in which your phone system is programmed for access to 9-1-1 or 4-1-1.
What are other n-1-1 numbers?
The Federal Communication Commission designates the use and permissions for the N-1-1 numbers. To see how the other dialing codes such as 3-1-1, 4-1-1 and 7-1-1 are used,
click here**.
Where is 2-1-1 available?
Every state in the country is in the planning or implementation phase of this unique phone number.
In California planning has been lead by the professional membership organization for the professional industry of Information and Referral Services (I&R). The California Alliance of Information & Referral Services (CAIRS (www.cairs.org)) is working to develop a new service delivery strategy designed to dramatically increase the public's access to essential health and social services.
2-1-1 represents an advance in the field of health and human services comparable to that created by 9-1-1 for police and fire emergency calls.
Please see the attached** for the Roll Out plan for the state of California.
The first county to launch is California was Ventura County. They went live February 11, 2005. In Southern California Orange County along with LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Riverside officially launched on June 30, 2005. The most recent to launch was Santa Clara County of February 11, 2007.
Why is 2-1-1 needed?
The goal of 2-1-1 is to create a simple uniform telephone point of access to existing community health and social services information and referral programs. Local 7-digit, 10-digit, and toll-free access numbers will be replaced with one easy-to-remember, three-digit phone number.
This single point of contact will simplify access to government and non-profit community services and resources by eliminating the need for people to struggle with hundreds of telephone listings attempting to find the "right" phone number for the "right" service or resource they need.
Do businesses have to program phones to allow 2-1-1 dialing?
