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What are 2-1-1’s hours of operation?
When will the service be available in my area?
Can I use my cell phone to call 2-1-1?
Can I call from my business PBX phone?
Can I reach the service before 2-1-1 is active in my area?
What about Illinois residents?
Will the Kansas City area 2-1-1 program be folded into this effort?
What happens when a person calls 2-1-1?
What kind of help can I get through 2-1-1?
Is 2-1-1 an emergency hotline?
Why does Missouri need a 2-1-1 program?
Why are Missouri Foundation for Health and United Way of Greater St. Louis working together on this program?
How many other states have a 2-1-1 program?
Is my local United Way involved in this effort?
How will community information be kept up to date?
Does a health or human services organization have to be a United Way-funded agency in order to be listed in the 2-1-1 service directory?
What are 2-1-1’s hours of operation? [top]
2-1-1 will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year.
When will the service be available in my area? [top]
2-1-1 will roll out in phases. Click here to see when 2-1-1 will be available in your area. Phase 1 will begin in the fall of 2007 with AT&T and CenturyTel service areas. This will serve more than 90 percent of the state population, including the St. Louis metropolitan area, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Poplar Bluff, Hannibal, Joplin, Carthage, Kirksville, Columbia, Jefferson City and Willow Springs areas. Phase 2 is due to begin in 2008, and adds all remaining telephone companies and state residents.
Can I use my cell phone to call 2-1-1?
Can I call from my business PBX phone?
Can I reach the service before 2-1-1 is active in my area? [top]
Companies who use PBX (Private Branch eXchanges) may not be set up to accommodate 2-1-1. If you are unable to access 2-1-1 from your office, contact your phone system administrator to see if your system can be programmed to make 2-1-1 calls. Cell phones are currently not included in the 2-1-1 service; however, people on cell phones can access 2-1-1 by calling 1-800-427-4626.
What about Illinois residents? [top]
Currently, the metro-east region of Illinois does not have access to three-digit dialing of 2-1-1. The United Way of Greater St. Louis, which serves this area, is looking into the possible funding opportunities to make the service accessible with the abbreviated dialing code in the future. However, Illinois residents can still access the United Way 2-1-1 Call Center through a toll-free hotline: 1-800-427-4626. The 2-1-1 database includes information about agencies, programs and services for residents of the Illinois counties served by the United Way of Greater St. Louis (Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair).
Will the Kansas City area 2-1-1 program be folded into this effort? [top]
The two programs will remain separate and work in tandem to seamlessly provide access to all of Missouri's 5.8 million residents. The Kansas City area program, which started in March 2006, covers 23 counties in its service area.
What happens when a person calls 2-1-1? [top]
A trained information and referral specialist will determine the area from which the person is calling and what services are needed, and then provide contact information for all appropriate services in the person’s community.
What kind of help can I get through 2-1-1? [top]
A wide variety of help exists that callers can access. 2-1-1 will have information on basic human needs; physical and mental health resources; employment support; support for older adults, people with disabilities and children; volunteer/donor opportunities; and help in non-emergency crisis situations. Find out more.
Is 2-1-1 an emergency hotline? [top]
No, 2-1-1 is designed to relieve the 911 system from dealing with non-emergency situations, which sometimes slow down response times in dealing with real emergencies. 2-1-1 does not replace 911 or other community emergency access numbers. Residents should continue to call local emergency numbers for situations such as medical emergencies, fires and police assistance. For more information on emergency information, please click here.
Why does Missouri need a 2-1-1 program? [top]
A 2-1-1 program enables residents to have better access to needed health and human services. Many people aren’t sure who to call for assistance when they have a problem. With one call to 2-1-1, a person can be assured they are being confidentially referred to the correct agency or organization in their area to deal with their specific problem or concern.
Why are Missouri Foundation for Health and United Way of Greater St. Louis working together on this program? [top]
Missouri Foundation for Health’s funding of the start-up costs is in line with its mission to empower the people in the communities its serves to achieve equal access to quality health services. It was a natural fit for United Way to take the lead in administering the program, which will be a statewide expansion of a similar hotline service it currently operates in the St. Louis region. Together, the two organizations will jointly fund operational costs for the first five years to ensure stability.
How many other states have a 2-1-1 program? [top]
Missouri becomes the 20th state to have total coverage in its state. There are 209 active 2-1-1 systems operating in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The first 2-1-1 program started in Atlanta in 1997, and now more than 70 percent of the United States’ population is covered by a 2-1-1 program.
Is my local United Way involved in this effort? [top]
Currently 10 other Missouri United Ways partner with United Way of Greater St. Louis on this effort. Those are: Columbia Area United Way, United Way of Central Missouri, United Way of the Ozarks, United Way of Southeast Missouri, United Way of Adair County, United Way of the Mark Twain Area, Callaway County United Way, Carthage Area United Way, United Way of Southwest Missouri and United Way of St. Francois County.
How will community information be kept up to date? [top]
2-1-1 staff at the four data hubs around the state will be responsible for continually updating information about various community services, to ensure access telephone numbers, contact names, lists of services offered and other relevant information is current.
Does a health or human services organization have to be a United Way-funded agency in order to be listed in the 2-1-1 service directory? [top]
No, information is included about non-profit, government and faith-based health and human services programs and organizations in each Missouri community, and made available to residents through 2-1-1. For more information about applying for inclusion, please see the agency information page.
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