2-1-1 is a United Way-operated information and referral phone service that links people in 10 northeast Indiana counties with health and human service agencies.
In 2005, the program received a five-year accreditation from the national Alliance of Information and Referral Systems after a rigorous review.
The 2-1-1 service was started in Allen County in late 2003, becoming the first 2-1-1 program activated in Indiana.
Since then, 2-1-1 has added Adams, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties. In 2007, the service handled 30,000 phone calls from people dialing 2-1-1.
The call center can be reached 24 hours a day simply by dialing 2-1-1. The call center also staffs a 24-hour homeless hotline. Calls are answered by certified Information and Referral Specialists.
Among the needs for which information and referrals are offered:
This year, WANE-TV, United Way of Allen County, Lutheran Health Network and a group of service providers have banded together to encourage women to seek early, consistent prenatal care by dialing 2-1-1. A series of PSAs talking about the importance of prenatal care during the first three months of pregnancy will air on WANE-TV.Early prenatal care ensures the best possible start in life for Allen County's children. One in every eight children in Allen County is born prematurely and 50 percent of those children -- or 300 children a year -- will eventually require special education services. Moreover, pre-term births cause one-third of all infant deaths.For more information about prenatal care, visit www.healthiermomsandbabies.orgFor more information on 2-1-1, go to the First Call website or call Tiffany Bailey, 2-1-1 Manager, at (260) 422-4776. A Community Services Guide with information on Allen County human service agencies is also available for $25 at United Way of Allen County's office, 334 E. Berry St.