I think 2-1-1 Orange County is a wonderful and practical resource that my staff and I use while working with the homeless population in Orange County. It allows us to have vital access to updated resources. Moreover, 2-1-1 has proved to be a reliable serv ...

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    WHAT IS THE 2-1-1 CALLING SYSTEM?
  • 2-1-1 is a telephone number that will have a positive impact throughout the system of health and human services.
  • It is a free, accessible 3-digit telephone number that will enable everyone to access the vital community health and human services that they need.
  • 2-1-1 is to social services, what 9-1-1 is to emergency services.


    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 IT AVAILABLE?
  • 2-1-1 is sweeping the nation! 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 site map for the Roll Out plan for the state of California. CLICK HERE.
  • The first county to launch in California was Ventura. They went live February of 2005. In Southern California Orange County along with LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Riverside officially launched on June 30, 2005.


    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?
  • Residential and most pay phone lines have been routed with cooperation from 2-1-1 Orange County's Telco partners. 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.