2-1-1/First Call for Help is a United Way-operated information and referral phone service that links people in 10 northeast Indiana counties with health and human service agencies.
In 2005, the program received a five-year accreditation from the national Alliance of Information and Referral Systems after a rigorous review.
The 2-1-1 service was started in Allen County in late 2003, becoming the first 2-1-1 program activated in Indiana.
Since then, First Call For Help has added Adams, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties. In 2006, the service handled 27,312 phone calls from people dialing 2-1-1.
First Call For Help can be reached 24 hours a day simply by dialing 2-1-1. First Call For Help also staffs a 24-hour homeless hotline. Calls are answered by certified Information and Referral Specialists.
Among the needs for which information and referrals are offered:
For more information, go to the First Call website or call Tiffany Bailey, 2-1-1 Manager, at (260) 422-4776. You can also view a Comcast video here. A Community Services Guide with information on Allen County human service agencies is also available for $25 at United Way of Allen County's office, 334 E. Berry St.