Governments are increasingly turning to COVID-19 hotlines to keep their communities informed.
But as we learned earlier this week, when news broke out of Washington State that hotlines were critically inundated, these efforts may not be enough if local conditions worsen and call volumes unexpectedly spike.
That’s why local 211 services are proving to be so vital as communities navigate this crisis.
According to the FCC, 211 is available to approximately 309 million people, which is roughly 95% of the total U.S. population. 211 covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
While 211 services help residents access a variety of local resources 365 days a year — including food and shelter assistance, physical and mental health resources and services for those with disabilities — many centers are now working with state and local health officials to provide up-to-date information about the coronavirus as well as resources for those impacted.
To find out whether 211 services are offered in your area and to obtain more information, visit 211.org.
