211info provides comprehensive information and referral services to connect people in Oregon and SW Washington with community services and resources. Their mission is to make navigating health and social services easier. Last year over 100,000 callers received referrals for services like food, shelter, healthcare and more from 211info's trained specialists. 211info has been the lead agency for 2-1-1 services in Oregon for over 25 years, expanding statewide and into parts of Washington.

1. 211info’s Mission: To connect the people of Oregon and SW Washington with the community services they need.

2. The Need:Navigating the maze of health and community social service offerings can be overwhelming. The Vision:No one should struggle to find food, shelter or health care. No one should have watch a loved one suffer from illness with nowhere to turn. No one should feel alone. 2

3. 3TheNonprofit:We are Oregon and Southwest Washington’s comprehensive support hub for 2-1-1. Our organization is built upon a 25 year history of providing people with free and easy access to the answers they need. Last year, over 100,000 people turned to us for referrals to food, shelter, housing, foreclosure assistance, health care, and much more.

4. Our History1980s-90s Portland metro area had county-based Information and Referral lines1996 Atlanta starts first 2-1-1 service2000 FCC designates 2-1-1 as national access number for community referrals2004 With United Way support, 2-1-1 launches in Portland region2005 Governor Kulongoski signs legislation designating 211info as lead agency for Oregon’s 2-1-1 services2006 211info launches 2-1-1 services in 3 other SW Washington counties 2009 211info launches 2-1-1 services in Yamhill, Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties4

5. The National Network

6. 6Access PointsPhone lines (primary access point)Searchable Database Online at www.211info.orgPrinted Directories

7. 7Our Service Calls are confidential, anonymous and free. Calls are answered by Trained Information and Referral Specialists who assess the caller’s situation and refer them to services that can meet their needs.Specialists use a locally managed database listing over 4,200 programs (community, faith-based and public programs) throughout the Oregon and SW Washington.Telephone interpreters are available for help in more than 150 languages.

8. Our Phone Lines8Information & Referral (DIAL 2-1-1) All 2-1-1 phone lines open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. If 2-1-1 does not yet work from your phone, the phone lines below will access 211 services Monday-Friday 8am-5pm:SAFENET (800-723-3638)Offers information and referral to Oregon programs that touch the lives of women and children.Housing Connections (503-802-8562 or 2-1-1)Provides assistance in locating affordable housing. Call or see listings online at www.housingconnections.org. BCCP (877-255-7070)Statewide line that provides screening and referrals for eligible women needing breast and cervical cancer screenings. State Public Health Influenza Hotline (800-978-3040)Provides information about vaccination locations and general information for both seasonal and H1N1 flu.

9. Our Callers9A caller dialed 2-1-1...hoping to get information about low-cost housing. The 211info I&R specialist assisted the caller with a Housing Connections search. The caller was excited to report that she had rented an apartment from the listings that were sent to her by 211info.The caller’s response...“2-1-1 was a lifesaver”

10. 10211info RespondsH1N1 211info has recently contracted with the Oregon State Public Health department to provide the public information about flu prevention, vaccination sites, and clinic referrals for seasonal flu and respiratory illnesses. Winter Shelter211info provides telephone support to Portland residents, homeless individuals and community partners seeking information regarding availability, location and hours of Winter Shelters for families and Severe Weather Emergency Warming Centers within an hour of a declaration of severe weather.Emergency Weather211info is also a source of emergency information during times of flooding, heat waves, and other emergencies.

11. 11National Standards211info is nationally certified by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS)AIRS provides a professional umbrella for I&R services internationally. 211info’s Resource and Information & Referral Specialists are AIRS certified and undergo special ongoing training for this professional designation.

12. Where do we get our information?All social service information we distribute is provided by organizations themselves. We follow national AIRS standards and have developed policies around what agencies are included in the database and how they are listed. How do we keep our information up-to-date?Partner agencies can provide updates through our website (www.211info.org), respond to annual mailings, or contact our resource partners directly.

13. We monitor newspapers and community listserves