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New! The new keyword search enhancement on the 211tn.org site embraces a Google-like full-text search capability. Click here for details... (pdf)

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Metro Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, community leaders, and area nonprofit organizations gathered August 24th at AmSouth Center to place the first call to 2-1-1, a centralized telephone number that links callers with needs to more than 2,800 Middle Tennessee programs best suited to meet those needs.

2-1-1 is a three-digit, easy to remember telephone number reserved by the FCC to connect people with important health and human services. 2-1-1 is “directory assistance” for individuals seeking food, shelter, basic living assistance, counseling and other health and social service needs. Examples of the types of calls 2-1-1 will field include:

• How do I apply for food stamps?
• Where can I find out about low-income housing availability?
• Do I qualify for free or sliding-scale family or mental health counseling services?
• How can I learn English as a second language?
• What can my teen-age son do for after-school recreational programs?
• I think I have a problem with alcohol and I want help. What do I do now?
• How can I find out if my child’s day care has any violations?
• I’d like to get my GED. Where do I start?
• How do I find a nursing home for my elderly parent?
• I think I need help with my parenting skills. Where can I find a class in my area?
• I’ve been out of work for months. Where can I go for job counseling?
• I have some furniture to donate. Who do I call? Who will provide pick-up service?
• I’d like to volunteer some time to a local charity. Where do I go?

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville (UWMN) has organized the planning and implementation of this important service in collaboration with the Crisis Center and First Call for Help. Six additional United Ways in Middle Tennessee are providing support as well: Cheatham, Dickson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson and Williamson.

AmSouth Bank is the corporate co-branding sponsor resulting from a large multi-year financial commitment and The Frist Foundation is assisting with start up costs. Additional financial support is coming from the Memorial and Saint Thomas Foundations, First Tennessee Bank, Metropolitan Department of Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

A well-marketed 2-1-1 should take 62,500 calls in its first full year of complete operation. In addition to people who need help or assistance calling 2-1-1, agencies that currently help the needy in our community will use 2-1-1 as a resource to find programs that will address root causes for their clients. 15% of the calls from other 2-1-1’s are from people looking for help for their clients.

All 2-1-1 calls will be answered by nationally certified information and referral specialists who assesses the caller's needs and refer them to the appropriate community, social, health and government services. The caller is provided with phone numbers, programs and services provided, location, hours of operation, and whatever other information is relevant to the caller’s inquiry.