The easiest way to help constituents?

Tell them to call 211.

Please support Ohio 211 in the state budget.

Ohioans need help. And every day — 24/7 — Ohio 211 is here to answer.

Last year alone, Ohio 211 helped over 786,000 Ohioans find critical services like housing, food, workforce development, healthcare, early mental health intervention and disaster relief.

We don’t just serve the people — we serve you. When an Ohioan needs non-emergency help, one call to 211 can change everything. And when constituents call your office in need, you have an easy answer: "Call 2-1-1."

We have a long history in Ohio.

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

We listen. We connect. We deliver hope.

The Ohio 211 Resource Database has more than 73,000 resources and 11,000 organizations. Ohio 211 maintains the most comprehensive resource database of nonprofit and government services in Ohio and is vetted by professional staff, locally curated and continuously updated.

Our Budget Request

This year, we’re asking for $2 million in the state budget to:

Expand 211 statewide
Increase statewide coordination
Stabilize our existing and vital services.

An investment in 211 is an investment in Ohio’s families — and in your ability to lead them.

Learn more about each of the fourteen Ohio 211 providers at https://ohio211.org/what-is-211/our-211-network/

A Success Story in Agency Cooperation

Sarah, a Lake County senior citizen, was very unhappy with her current living situation and had been trying for ages to find a new place to live. With her lease renewal looming, she was beginning to lose hope of being able to find another place before being forced to sign another year’s lease at her current building.

But when she picked up her monthly produce box from the Lake County Mobile Food Pantry, she received a bonus in the form of a notice of new programming through Lifeline at the Wickliffe Family Resource Center. She was especially interested in the new Senior Housing Navigator Program, a program designed to help senior citizens navigate the very challenging rental housing market. She called 211 and got more information. The 211 navigator gave her the information about the program and connected her to the program coordinator. Sarah spoke with the program coordinator, met with her at the Wickliffe Family Resource Center the following week, and set into motion what has been a life changing experience.

Working with the program coordinator, Sarah was able to look at apartments online, fill out online applications, and ultimately find and secure housing. At the suggestion of the program coordinator, Sarah also reached out to the Fair Housing Resource Center, who had just started a program to help seniors with moving costs.

Meeting with her a few months later, Sarah says this move “literally saved my life. I don’t know where I’d be if not for all of the programs coming together at the perfect time to help me—and it all started with a call to 211.” Without the financial help of Lifeline, who paid for application fees, the security deposit and the first month’s rent, and Fair Housing, Sarah believes she “would be on the streets; my situation was that serious.”

Since her move, Sarah has continued to utilize the resources available to her. She calls 211 each month to sign up for the Mobile Food Pantry, and she has received a new iPad through Lifeline’s Senior Digital Inclusion Program. And she looks amazing! The stress she carried with her has disappeared, and she looks noticeably more relaxed and happier. She states she’s spending more time with her grandkids and staying busy with activities in her community.

Closing the Access Gap

The Ohio 211 County Service Map

Thirty (30) of Ohio’s counties have limited or no 211 service, leaving 1, 514, 305 residents without access to information on available community resources. Ohio 211 is at-risk of losing 211 access in additional counties without state support. Ohio is one (1) of only three (3) states in the US without full 211 coverage.

Click here to see the full-sized map with links to the organizations that service each county.

SHARE THE TAKEAWAY NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

You can share the link with other legislative offices to make sure they have access to our newsletter. The link is: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/C9bMew2/Ohio211

Ohio 211 Providers

Area Agency on Aging 3

Ashtabula County Community Action Agency

Fairfield County 211

Mansfield/Richland County Public Library / First Call 211

Lutheran Social Services 211 Central Ohio

Help Network of Northeast Ohio

Helpline of Delaware & Morrow County

Lifeline, Inc.

Pathways of Central Ohio

United Way of Greater Cincinnati

United Way of Greater Cleveland

United Way of the Greater Dayton Area

United Way of Summit & Medina

United Way of Greater Toledo

In 2001, following the Federal Communications Commission authorization of 211 for the provision of information and referral, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) gave Ohio AIRS (DBA Ohio 211) responsibility for overseeing the development and management of 211 in Ohio.

Ohio 211 Website

Call 211