211 INFORMATION & REFERRAL
In Partnership with United Way
One of the easiest ways to get help is by dialing 211, Tennessee's community services help line. When you call, you'll get a real person, one who is trained to help you sort out your needs, and then give you phone numbers and addresses of the closest places where you can get help. 211 has a database of more than 10,000 health and human services programs, cross-referenced for all sorts of keywords. So don't worry if you don't know what type of service you need or the name of an agency - just talk with the specialist at the other end of the line and she or he can help you find what you need. All calls are free and completely confidential. Hours vary by location.
211's in Tennessee subscribe to standards set by the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems and the statewide affiliate, TNAIRS.
What Is 211?
211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services and childcare and family services.
What Does 211 Do?
No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that improve their lives. In 2019 alone, 211s in the US answered over 11 million calls and almost 450,000 texts, chats and emails, helping millions of people with life-changing support.
Why Does 211 Matter?
211 does more than "patch people through" to agencies. Instead, 211 specialists are trained to identify root causes of a client's problem - and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text or email.
No other program has its "finger on the pulse" of America's greatest needs. It's a vital part of United Way's efforts to build stronger communities and fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. 211 makes the social services ecosystem/network more efficient by ensuring people in need are connected to agencies that can help them.
