What is 211?
211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.
A single access point for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 211 can offer access to the following types of services:
- Basic Human Needs Resources: food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance.
- Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health and children’s health insurance programs.
- Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
- Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, respite care, transportation and homemaker services.
- Support for Children, Youth and Families: Quality childcare, after school programs, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
- Volunteer opportunities and donations.
Part of a growing national network, Louisiana 211 serves all Louisiana parishes. Our trained call specialists work to connect residents in need to available resources in their community.
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Provides multilingual services and information for the hearing impaired.
- Maintains a computerized database of more than 8,500 resources and services statewide.
- Works in collaboration with non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and government.
- Abides by the standards established by Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and is endorsed by United Way Worldwide.
Since 2020, Louisiana 211 has served more than 730,000 Louisiana help seekers with more than 1 million referrals to help meet their immediate needs.
When you call 211, where are calls directed?
Louisiana 211 calls are answered by trained information and referral specialists within partnering non-profits located in Louisiana.
Call centers are located at:
- 232-HELP/211, which serves 10 parishes in the Lafayette area.
- United Way 211, which serves 12 parishes in the Monroe area, 9 parishes in the Shreveport area, 7 parishes in the Alexandria area, 11 parishes in the Capital area, 5 parishes in the Lake Charles area.
- VIA LINK/211, which serves 10 parishes in the New Orleans area.
The Louisiana Association of United Ways provides strategic and administrative support to Louisiana 211.
For more information about the Louisiana 211 Statewide Network, please contact the Louisiana Association of United Ways via e-mail at info@launitedway.org.
