{"id":10117,"date":"2017-03-03T13:46:13","date_gmt":"2017-03-03T19:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.helplinecenter.org\/?page_id=10117"},"modified":"2019-05-31T12:48:47","modified_gmt":"2019-05-31T17:48:47","slug":"what-is-211","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hlc.thinkcaliber.com\/es\/2-1-1-community-resources\/what-is-211\/","title":{"rendered":"What is 211?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reserved the 211 dialing code for community information and referral services. The FCC intended the 211 code as an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that would enable a critical connection between individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. Currently, active 211 systems cover all or part of 50 states. As of February 2015, 2-1-1 serves over 291 million Americans (93% of the entire population) covering portions of all 50 states (including 41 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Yet, millions of Americans still need to be connected to make 2-1-1 accessible nationwide.<\/p>

In South Dakota, 70% of the entire population has access to 211. 211 is currently active in the following South Dakota counties: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Clay, Custer, Fall River, Hughes, Lake, Lawrence, Lincoln, McCook, Meade, Mellette, Minnehaha, Moody, Pennington, Stanley, Turner, and Yankton. <\/p>

Types of Referrals Offered by 211: <\/strong>211 provides callers with information about and referrals to social services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:<\/p>