FAQ
What is 2-1-1?
An easy to remember phone number linking callers in need to available health and human service programs. From the single mother needing food for her children to the senior citizen looking for in-home care, United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island brings people and services together.
How did 2-1-1 get its start and which states have 2-1-1?
The first 2-1-1 call center was created in 1997 by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. In July 2000 the Federal Communications Commission assigned the three-digit dialing code “2-1-1” for the exclusive purpose of providing widespread access to community information and referral services. There is strong federal support for 2-1-1 following the contributions this program made in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
As of April 2009, 2-1-1 serves over 240 million Americans (more than 80% of the entire population) covering all or part of 46 states (including 33 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The remaining states are all in various stages of planning and implementation. Every few weeks, these coverage numbers increase. This map shows the extent of 2-1-1 coverage in the United States.
What will United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island do?
Deliver comprehensive information and referral services, free of charge and 24/7/365, to the public by telephone, through the Internet and in print publications, in any language.
Efficiently connect people in need with more than 2,700 health and human services provided by some 720 health and human service providers, government agencies, and community-based organizations through these multiple points of entry.
How is United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island funded?
Most of the funding, $500,000 annually, will come from contributions to the United Way Community Impact Fund. The Hasbro Children’s Fund has made a generous contribution to help launch this service in 2007 and has committed to continue funding through 2008.
Additional funds come from state contracts and a grant from the TriMix Foundation.
How will United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island benefit the community at large?
Provide an easy, visible, and non-judgmental entry point for people who need to turn outside their families for help;
Increase efficiency by helping callers clearly define their needs and pointing them to the best places to seek help;
Relieve some of the burden on service providers by reducing the number of calls from people who either are not eligible for their services or who are seeking services they do not provide;
Provide a ready resource for service providers to use in referring their current clients to additional services available from other providers;
Create new knowledge about needs and gaps in services that can help policy makers and resource allocators make better decisions and more effectively plan for the future;
Play an important communication role during natural disasters or other state crises, with support from other 2-1-1 call centers if our call center is unable to maintain operation.
What Service Guidelines Are Followed?
We operate in accordance with the national 2-1-1 standards established by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).
Calls are answered by trained Information and Referral Specialists who have received intensive education on the services available in Rhode Island.
Information in the service database is updated on an ongoing basis.