Library: News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY -- 2-1-1 Oklahoma will celebrate National 2-1-1 Day on Wednesday, February 11th by hosting a legislative breakfast from 8:30-10:00 am at the State Capitol on the 4th floor rotunda.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember, free 24-hour telephone number that connects people with important community services. 2-1-1 is available seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The 2-1-1 line provides one phone number to call from a land line or cell phone where a certified specialist can assess the caller’s needs and determine what service providers in the area are best equipped to provide the needed help. The specialists work from a computerized database which includes current information on area health and human service agencies including state government, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and others. 2-1-1 also has access to a language translation service to better serve all Oklahomans.
“2-1-1 Oklahoma is comprised of seven regional hubs each serving a specific area of the state,” said Lori Linstead, 2-1-1 Oklahoma State Director. “For example, Heartline 2-1-1 serves the nine counties located in Central Oklahoma. Anyone can pick up the phone, dial 2-1-1 and be connected to a regional hub serving their particular area. Certified specialists then assess the caller’s needs and refer them to appropriate resources,” said Linstead.
2-1-1 Oklahoma also serves as a portal for emergency disaster response relieving the burden on 9-1-1 for non-life threatening calls and giving emergency responders a way to reach the public with accurate real time information. 2-1-1 Oklahoma works closely with Oklahoma Emergency Management and the Office of Homeland Security, empowering the state to better respond to large-scale emergencies and homeland security needs.
“Over 230,000 calls were handled by trained information and referral specialists resulting in over 313,000 referrals being made in Oklahoma in 2008,” said Linstead. “As the economy weakens, we anticipate the number of calls to increase as people desperately seek ways to meet their basic needs,” concluded Linstead.
2-1-1 Oklahoma is a consortium of seven call center regions, working in close partnership with government agencies, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and many others all committed to single points of entry to health and human services in all areas of the state.
For more information about 2-1-1 Oklahoma, contact Lori Linstead, 2-1-1 State Director, at (405) 522-0266 or by e-mail at lori.linstead@211oklahoma.org. Visit the 2-1-1 Oklahoma Web site at http://www.211oklahoma.org/.
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