For more than thirty years, Information and Referral (I&R) services have helped people find answers. 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!

During the summer of 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 2-1-1 in Ohio and gave Ohio AIRS responsibility to oversee its development and management. Community-based information and referral agencies are implementing 211, including 54 counties in Ohio. Currently, more than 90% of Ohio residents have access to their local community information and referral service simply by dialing 2-1-1.

Area Agency on Aging 3
Allen

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
Delaware, Logan, Miami, Morrow, Shelby, Union

Lifeline, Inc.
Lake

Pathways of Central Ohio
Athens, Knox, Licking, Pickaway, Washington

United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Brown, Clermont, Hamilton

United Way of Greater Cleveland
Belmont, Cuyahoga, Darke, Geauga, Ross

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

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

United Way of Greater Toledo
Lucas, Ottawa, Wood