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211 is coming to Ottawa

What is it?

211 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free telephone number that connects callers, in the language of their choice, to the non-emergency social, health, and government services and programs that serve community. This free, confidential service links callers with high-skilled, bilingual information and referral specialists who are trained to direct them to the most appropriate service provider.  211 is available to everyone in our community. It is funded through a partnership that includes the provincial and federal governments, the City of Ottawa and United Way/Centraide Ottawa.

The Community Information Centre of Ottawa (CICO) is providing the multilingual 211 service. With access to a constantly updated database of more than 1,540 community organizations, the Centre’s information and referral specialists are able to provide detailed information about the programs and services available in the community, eligibility requirements and terms of service. This database will also be available online at www.211Ontario.ca.

Who benefits from 211?

• Community members - 211 supports people in times of personal difficulty and during non-life-threatening emergencies
• Service organizations - 211 efficiently links services with people in need and reduces time and effort in dealing with inquiries
• Volunteers - 211 connects people who want to help their community with opportunities to donate time or money
• Governments - 211 relieves pressure on other information services provided by governments and reduces duplication and overlap among help lines
• Planners - 211 creates real-time data on service use and community needs, helping them to identify service gaps and to plan for additional resources.

211s - working for the community

Studies in the United States and Canada demonstrate that 211’s benefits to the community, clients and governments far outweigh the costs. Research and experience from communities served by 211 show that this service:

• Ensures residents get help faster in times of need

• Allows human and social service organizations to be more productive and better anticipate the needs of their clients

• Helps governments provide service (e.g., 211 service complements 311 municipal service and reduces the number of non-emergency calls to the 911 service)

• Creates a powerful social policy and planning tool by consolidating information about the services that communities need

Who guides 211’s service?

The Community Information Centre of Ottawa (CICO) and the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region (DCOR) partnered to bring 211 to the community. 211 is guided by a 211 Steering Committee made up of service providers and funders as well as a 211 Community Advisory Committee.

The 211 Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from United Way/Centraide Ottawa, City of Ottawa , Ministry of Community and Social services, as well as CICO and DCOR, provides guidance in the delivery of 211, and ensures a consistent approach for planning enhancements or changes to the service.

The 211 Community Advisory Committee is made up of community members-at-large, as well as members of the 211 Steering Committee. It ensures that the needs of the community are met by the 211 service and contributes to 211’s development and ongoing evaluation.

211Ontario

By 2011, everyone in Ontario should have access to 211. Eight regional call centres located across the province will be in operation by summer 2008 to serve our major population centres. From these regional centres, 211 will be gradually extended to smaller communities. In Ottawa , 211 is a key element of a provincial and national vision to enhance access to human and community services for all Canadians.

Dial 211 today

As of now, 211 is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. As part of its formal launch in late September, 211 will be available 70 hours a week, Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with plans to offer a 24/7 service in the near future. Call 211 today and one of our information and referral specialists will help you to find the services you need. 

For more information contact: Karen Milligan or Marie-Andrée Carrière

211 Partners:

Page updated on 08/09/2008