2-1-1 is an easy to remember three-digit telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their communities during crisis or any time. The Louisiana 2-1-1 effort is the most comprehensive information and referral database in the state. With trained call specialists working 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, it is a multilingual hotline linking callers to child or senior care, after-school programs, job training, counseling and more than 10,000 other resources. Our local 2-1-1 has crisis intervention and suicide prevention capacity as well.

2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:

Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

Physical and Mental Health Resources: crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.

Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.

Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.

2-1-1 statewide coverage is made possible by the partnership of six regional providers and the funding of Louisiana United Ways, United Way of America and the Louisiana Department of Social Services.

In August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina knocked out the 2-1-1/VIA LINK system in New Orleans, the United Way of Northeast Louisiana 2-1-1 in Monroe served as a statewide 2-1-1 host for the devastated region. With the help of United Way of America and CenturyTel, the Monroe Call Center went from a four seat operation to a 65 seat facility that included evacuated staff from United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area and 2-1-1/VIA LINK. Volunteers sought phone numbers and information to include ever-changing resources in a new database, while operators took calls from people who could not get through to national and state emergency services. Call volume peaked at 7,358 calls per day during the crisis when Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco selected 2-1-1 as the “go to” number for all social services and volunteer and donation information.

In 2006, the Louisiana 2-1-1 Coordinating Council formed the Technology & Telecommunications Sub-Committee made up of highly trained professionals from across the state. The Sub-Committee conducted a rigorous, detailed evaluation and in 2007 chose Smoothstone IP Communications’ SmoothstoneCOMPLETE phone system and its nationwide communications network to provide support for the 2-1-1 initiative in Louisiana.

In 2007, more than 374,000 calls were collectively made to the six regional providers. This opportunity to link regional 2-1-1 service centers into a unified network was made possible by United Way of America’s Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund. All 2-1-1 centers will be connected to the statewide-integrated system in 2008.

A national 2-1-1 system is advocated by many. In 2007, supporters rallied in Washington D.C. for “The Calling for 2-1-1 Act” and United States Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Elizabeth Dole called for its passage. The legislation would dedicate $700 million to expanding the hotline in communities nationwide.

To find out more about the 2-1-1 national movement, please click here.


Click here to search for services through VIA LINK - our partner agency.