2-1-1: Shortcut to Services

Pamela Piering

This week, 2-1-1 became available for all residents of King County. These three simple digits provide an easy telephone number for health and community service information so that callers can find their way to needed local resources.

Nationally, over 139 million Americans in 32 states now have this service. Here in Washington State, five years of planning culminates with select counties going "on line" with 2-1-1.

In King County, the Crisis Clinic Community Information Line is providing the local 2-1-1 call center. Callers can directly connect to specialists at the Community Information Line who will link them to community resources.

Why is 2-1-1 important?

• It provides a simple way to find essential services.
  
  
• Initially, it is operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, with a future goal of 24-hours-a-day service.
  
  
• Calls can be handled in any language, through the use of special interpreters.
  
  
• The service is stable: all call centers in the state are linked to provide back-up, should one center go down.
  
  
• It provides quality service, guided by national standards. Paid, trained staff will direct callers to the services/agency that can help them.
  
  
• Over time, it will provide a picture of the needs of Seattle-King County callers. This information will help funders and providers adapt or expand programs and services to meet emerging needs.

Will it replace current information and referral services?

No, 2-1-1 is intended to be the gateway to the more comprehensive information and referral services. For example, a person seeking how to address concerns about an older parent would be transferred to Senior Services Information and Assistance. Likewise, parents seeking childcare information would be transferred to the Child Care Referral service. 2-1-1 fills the knowledge gap of "where do I start?"

When does it begin?

The service was officially launched on Wednesday, February 22, 2006. The major funder of this service is United Way of King County, with additional help from Seattle, King County and suburban cities. Washington State has also assisted with funding for a statewide database and an integrated telephone system. The 2-1-1 number will be available on land lines, but it may take time for wireless companies to include it in their system.

More information about 2-1-1 is available on the web.

Pamela Piering is the Director of Seattle - King County Aging & Disability Services