2-1-1: Help starts here Any situation, any time. Alana

24/7 Information, Referral and Assistance People in need of help don’t always know what services are available. They feel alone, hopeless and unable to navigate an intimidating County system. Fortunately, help is just one phone call away: 211 LA County answers nearly 500,000 calls annually Alana - Who we are, what we do. Mention independent non-profit status 5

211 LA and LA County 211 LA is NOT a County department. It is an independent non-profit 501c-3. 211 LA contracts with LA County and multiple County departments to create & maintain the official resource database for LA County services and provide 24/7 free phone Information and Referral services.

What can you call 2-1-1 for? … and so much more! Housing & Shelter Transportation/Access Employment / Training / Classes Child Care/Parenting Food/Clothes/ Basic Needs Senior & Care- Giver Resources Mental Health/ Crisis/ Substance Abuse … and so much more! Legal Assistance

Providing Disaster Response 211 LA is the County’s public information line during disaster and public health emergencies. Our response record includes the Northridge earthquake, the Crown, Sayre, Marek and Station wildfires, H1N1 flu epidemic, Hepatitis A – tainted berries, and the Pasadena wind storm. 16

What happens when you call - reach a Community Resource Advisor, conduct assessment, ask open-ended questions, offer empathy, give referrals by text or email if possible, or verbally. For example, if someone calls in needing help finding a place to sleep ...

When you call 2-1-1 . . . Receive your referrals to services The CRA will review the services they have found for you, including their location and any program requirements such as identification, documentation, income requirements and more. If you state you would like the referral, you can receive it by: 1. Email (preferred method) The CRA will ask for your email address. You will receive the name, address, phone number, and program information and requirements for each service. 2. Text The CRA will ask for a phone number that can receive text messages. 3. Verbal If you can’t do email or text, the CRA will ask you to write down the information, and will provide the service name, address, and phone number.

Community Needs 2016 Alana - Adult Protective services is a specialty line we offer. Our CRA’s are empowered to file an APS report on their behalf. Homelessness/housing - when you put the different types of needs together housing is by far the largest need. Utility assistance - a way to help people free up income for housing and other basic needs. A lot comes down to income and affordability

Alana - Our staff is at least 50% bilingual English/Spanish Alana - Our staff is at least 50% bilingual English/Spanish. Other languages are available on staff and we have access to tele-interpreting services with 140 languages

Find Resources Online at: www.211la.org

WWW.211LA.ORG Laura James Resource Supervisor (626) 300-1326 Alana Hitchcock Public Affairs Director ahitchcock@211la.org (626) 300-1302 Jose Callejas Outreach Coordinator jcallejas@211la.org Follow us at: Facebook.com/211LACounty Twitter.com/211LACounty Instagram.com/211LACounty LinkedIn.com/company/211-LA-County WWW.211LA.ORG