211 Helpline Launched In Lake County For People In Need

LAKE COUNTY, IL — People across Lake County now have access to a 24-hour information and referral helpline thanks to the launch of 211 services, United Way of Lake County announced Tuesday. In a release sent to Patch, United Way said 211 is a free, confidential helpline that provides a central access point to health and human service providers in Lake County. 211 provides referrals and correct, concise information 24 hours a day, seven days a week to critical resources.

“Through 211, the people of Lake County will get the help they need, when they need it,” said Kristi Long, President and CEO of United Way of Lake County, said in the release. “United Way of Lake County is proud to fulfill this decades-long vision, joining with the Lake County government and our many community partners to deliver a best-in-class, robust solution for Lake County—the largest county in Illinois to implement 211.”

Here's how to access 211:

• Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211.
• Experienced, trained resource navigators/specialists at the 211 contact center will guide you to the help you need.
• The comprehensive 211 service is multi-lingual with English and Spanish-speaking staff, as well as interpretations to more than 150 languages.

“United Way of Lake County’s new 211 service is a huge asset for Lake County, offering an efficient, safe, and confidential place where community members can instantly get access to the resources and information they need,” said Megan McKenna, Director of Strategy & Development at Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, in the release. “Mano a Mano is honored to have been part of the planning process and grateful to United Way of Lake County for its leadership on this project.”

211 also helps service providers find the right solution in one call, which helps reduce the time agencies spend redirecting calls to other agencies and more time addressing needs of their own clients, the release said. In turn 211 reduces the ultimate cost of services and makes sure money is spent most efficiently over time, United Way of Lake County added.

Among the millions who leverage 211 across North America, more than 94 percent of the United States, but less than 30 percent of Illinois, had access to 211 throughout 2018, according to the release.

More: 211LakeCounty.org.