Support 2-1-1

Nonprofits like United Way and various government agencies provide excellent programs to support people in need. The problem: The people who need these programs often don’t know they exist.

2-1-1 Oklahoma is committed to the implementation of single points of entry to health and human services in all regions of the state.

What Is 2-1-1?
• 2-1-1 is an easy to remember, free 24-hour telephone number that connects people with important community services seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• 2-1-1 is statewide with designated call centers serving specific geographical areas
of the state.
• 2-1-1 certified specialists work from a computerized database which includes current information on area health and human service agencies including state government, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and others.
• 2-1-1 has access to a language translation service to better serve all Oklahomans.

How Does 2-1-1 Work?
• 2-1-1 is free and available to anyone in need. By dialing 2-1-1 on any landline or
cell phone, the caller will be connected to a call center serving that particular geographical area.
• 2-1-1 certified specialists assess a caller’s needs and determine what service providers in the area are best equipped to provide the needed help.
• 2-1-1 certified specialists refer the caller directly to appropriate service providers.

Why 2-1-1?
• 2-1-1 increases early access to community services, reduces the trauma and higher costs of delayed care and promotes self-sufficiency.
• 2-1-1 provides aggregated state and national data from 2-1-1 systems to better assess gaps in service and the needs of communities.
• 2-1-1 serves as a portal for emergency disaster response relieving the burden on 9-1-1 for non-life threatening calls and giving emergency responders a way to reach the public with accurate real time information.
• 2-1-1 works closely with Oklahoma Emergency Management and the Office of Homeland Security, empowering the state to better respond to large-scale emergencies and homeland security needs.
• 2-1-1 Oklahoma participated in the Crystal Darkness Campaign; holding
the distinction of being the first state in the nation to utilize their statewide 2-1-1
telephone system to assist callers.