ABOUT OHIO 211

What is 211?

211 is a simple, easy-to-remember number to call when you need non-emergency help or access to human services.  211 services exist across Ohio and the United States.

211 is a free, 24/7/365 service provided by fourteen (14) organizations across Ohio. Trained 211 navigators receive calls from individuals and complete a thorough assessment of callers’ needs. Using a robust database of resources from private and public health and human service agencies, 211 matches callers’ needs to available community resources, and links them to an organization that can provide resources including employment, food, housing and utility assistance, counseling, substance use treatment, legal, tax preparation and health care.

Ohio 211 (formerly Ohio AIRS) is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to ensuring quality information and referral (I&R) services throughout Ohio. Information and referral, commonly referred to as I&R, is a unique process of assessment and information-giving that enables people to make informed decisions about accessing community resources.

Information and referral services have been available in Ohio since 1963. Many I&R services were started in the early 1970s as a grassroots movement to connect citizens with the various human services available and to assist citizens in navigating the often confusing and complex choices. Today, most of Ohio’s 88 counties have some form of information & referral service.

In 2023 alone, Ohio 211’s program served over 800,000 callers. The top needs from callers in 2023 were food, followed by housing, and utility assistance. 211 connects people to much needed health and social services in the community. Without connection to 211, these individuals may have ended up in emergency rooms, shelters, or other costly state and federal programs. When people connect to care at the onset of a crisis, they can recover more quickly and become more self-sufficient.

Our History

Ohio 211 (formerly Ohio AIRS and originally the Ohio Council of Information and Referral Providers or OCIRP) was formed in 1978 to:

• Promote professionalism in the delivery of I&R services;
• Enhance the collective influence of the field of information and referral in Ohio;
• Provide support to members in technology, training, funding and policy development;
• Provide professional development opportunities for members;
• Enhance and support the goals of Inform US (formerly AIRS)

Ohio 211/Inform Ohio is the state affiliate of Inform USA (formerly AIRS), an international professional association of information and referral providers.  A voluntary Board of Trustees, elected by the membership, oversees the operation of the organization.

In 1999, Ohio AIRS formed the 211 Ohio Collaborative. The purpose of the 211 Ohio Collaborative was to implement the telephone number “211” for access to community resources in Ohio.  In December 1999, the Collaborative petitioned the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to designate 211 as the universal three-digit access number to call for information about community services in Ohio.  On July 21, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated the telephone number 211 for access to community resource information. (FCC 00-256).  In June 2001, the PUCO granted approval for 211 in Ohio and gave Ohio AIRS responsibility to oversee its development and management.

Our Goals

The goals of Ohio 211 include helping individuals, families, youth, and communities access the services they need so they can gain and maintain financial self-sufficiency, family stability, healthy development and greater well-being of children and families, resolve problems, and improve their lives. 211 serves all community members including low-income individuals, children, youth, families, individuals with developmental disabilities, and older adults.

Moreover, Ohio 211 supports communities before, during, and after public health crises and natural disasters. For example, during the East Palestine train derailment in 2023, 211 served as a backup to 911 when 911 was overwhelmed by the influx of calls. In addition, 211 connected people to needed resources in their community after people lost their jobs and schools shut down during COVID and helped over 70,000 Ohioans make vaccine appointments during the vaccine rollout.

These services have the potential for increasing, by thousands, the number of people helped, but one major obstacle exists. Many people are unaware I&R services are available and therefore struggle to find answers to their questions about community resources.  What a difference it would make if these citizens could simply dial 211 and talk to a trained and knowledgeable person with access to accurate information!

Area Agency on Aging 3
Allen, Auglaize

Ashtabula County Community Action Agency
Ashtabula

Fairfield County 2-1-1
Fairfield, Hocking

Mansfield/Richland County Public Library
Ashland, Holmes, Huron, Richland, Wayne

Lutheran Social Services 211 Central Ohio
Franklin

Help Network of Northeast Ohio
Columbiana, Trumbull, Mahoning

Helpline of Delaware & Morrow County
Auglaize, Delaware, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Morrow, Shelby, Union

Lifeline, Inc.
Lake

Pathways of Central Ohio
Athens, Coshocton, Crawford, Guernsey, Knox, Licking, Marion, Monroe, Noble, Pickaway, Washington, Wyandot

United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Warren

United Way of Greater Cleveland
Cuyahoga, Geauga, Ross

United Way of Greater Dayton Area
Champaign, Clark, Greene, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble

United Way of Summit & Medina
Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit, Tuscarawas

United Way of Greater Toledo
Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, Wood