Texas 211

This is one of those blog entrys that I am really proud to offer.

For a lot of reasons,all good, I recommend that you copy these down and post them where you and your family can quickly find them.

This is a Texas service and it doesn't cosy you anything but your time. I'll supply them here and follow up with some comments.

The phone # is 211 repeat 211
The web site is so important!, http://www.211texas.org/

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2-1-1 Texas and how does it work?

2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community.

When you dial 2-1-1, you will talk to a trained resource specialist who has access to a comprehensive database listings of nearly all health and human services that exists in Texas. This includes but is not limited to: rent and utility assistance, food, emergency shelters, where to get employment help, medical and mental health assistance, help with transportation, and trained suicide intervention counseling. You can also get information on affordable childcare, information about caring for an aging relative, or help recovering from a disaster.

Information and referral is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. Information can be provided in over 90 different languages.

What is the difference between 2-1-1, 3-1-1, 4-1-1, 5-1-1, 7-1-1 and 9-1-1?

2-1-1 Texas is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community, as well as, state benefits and reporting waste, fraud, and abuse.

3-1-1 (where available) is city non-emergency police/utilities (i.e. downed trees in the roadway, escaped livestock, etc.) – things that need attention, but are not life or death emergencies.

4-1-1 is for Directory Assistance such as local and long-distance phone numbers, area codes, and addresses to businesses. This call will cost you a flat rate fee (depending on your service provider).

5-1-1 is a nationwide number used for traveler information and is promoted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transport System initiative.

7-1-1 is for RELAY TEXAS, which is for communication between TTY users and hearing persons. This service connects those who have a TTY and needs to talk to someone who does not, or if you do not have a TTY and needs to talk to someone who does.

9-1-1 is reserved for emergency police, ambulance, poison, and fire.

What type of information can I find on the 211Texas.org website?

The site contains comprehensive information about health and human services programs in Texas, which includes but is not limited to:

- Assistance for food
- Housing and shelter
- Education
- Legal
- Child care
- Emergencies
- Physical and mental health
- Financial assistance
- Transportation - State agency and program information
Programs meeting our Inclusion Criteria are geographically indexed by city, zip code and by county.

I have only touched the tip of the iceberg, and I recommend that you visit their web site and become acquainted with this important information source.