Get Help — 2-1-1 Texas

2008 2-1-1 Basic Needs Directory Now Available for Download...

Click here to access the 2008 2-1-1 Basic Needs Directory
(12 MB). The file is rather large, and may take some time to download on slower connections.

2-1-1 Texas delivers efficient access to the most appropriate sources of help and information.

Anywhere in Texas, anyone can call 2-1-1 for free information and referrals to health and human service agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, disaster relief resources, and volunteer opportunities.

The 2-1-1 helpline in Central Texas maintains a comprehensive community resource database of services providing assistance with health care, employment, educational, legal, housing, counseling, and transportation needs, and much more.

2-1-1 is...

• Free and confidential
  
• Available 24/7
  
• Accessible by TTY/TDD
  
• Multilingual
  
• Accessible from cell phones
  

2-1-1 professionals provide...

• Individualized support
  
• Advocacy and problem-solving
  
• Community needs tracking, assessment, and reporting
  

2007 2-1-1 Highlights

• October of 2007 marked the fifth year of 2-1-1 in the South Central Texas region. The first 2-1-1 call in Texas came in 2002, and since then, more than 580,000 calls have been answered.
• Following a regional competitive bid process across the state, United Way Capital Area was once again designated by the State of Texas Health and Human Services Commission to serve as the contracted partner for the provision of 2-1-1 services for the South Central (Capital Area) region.
• Answered calls from 196,076 individuals and families seeking access to the social service system. That represents a 15% increase in calls from 2006, and more than five-times the number of calls received in 2-1-1's first year.
• Worked closely with the Community Tax Center Program (CTCs)-which provides free tax preparation to low-income families-in both linking individuals to the services of the CTC's and identifying volunteer tax preparers. The work of the CTC's prepared more than 17,000 tax returns with refunds in excess of $21 million to Central Texas residents.

2-1-1 Texas can be accessed online:
www.211centraltexas.org

2-1-1 serves as the point of contact for a growing number of community-wide initiatives, including:

• Community Tax Centers, which provide free income tax preparation for low-income individuals and families
  
• Back-to-school Immunization Programs, which offer access to childhood immunization sites for students returning to school
  
• Summer Food Program, which serves lunch to children in need during the summer months