2-1-1 Texas offers information, referrals to residents

Many times, situations
arise where assistance may
be needed, and all too
often, individuals do not
have the knowledge or
information to find the
assistance needed. That is
where 2-1-1 Texas comes
in.
2-1-1 Texas, a public/private
partnership, is coordinated
by the Texas Health
and Human Services
Commission and works to
give information and referral
services. Although not a
service provider, operators
have access to a list of local
agencies who provide a
variety of services. 2-1-1
connects Texans to: local
community resource, state
benefits access, fraud
reporting, disaster related
information, and the State
of Texas Emergency
Assistance Registry.
This benefit is available
to all Texans, 24 hours a
day, and 365 days a year.
Calls are answered by
local call centers, and callers
always speak to trained
specialists, who have access
to interpreters of any language.
Some services that
2-1-1 can connect callers
with include: assistance
with utility bills or rent,
availability of housing and
food pantries, and agencies
to assist the aging.
2-1-1 can only connect
callers with services that
they have on their databases.
If a caller requests
assistance and there are no
known agencies that provide
that service, the need
goes unmet, although there
may be services available.
Callers are connected with
service providers in their
area, and they are constantly
seeking more
resources in order to meet
more needs.
Anyone who knows of a
local agency or nonprofit
whose services can be
added to the database
should contact Executive
Director Shanna Martin or
Database Director Emily
Crawford at 903-885-9797.
Anyone needing assistance
can call 2-1-1 or 877-541-
7905 or visit
www.211texas.org.