What's New with 211?
Indiana 211 (IN211) serves thousands of our community members each year with resources and referrals to meet their unique needs via a 24-hour hotline and website. Across the state, IN211 answers over 20,000 calls each month to connect people in need with life changing resources.
Wake Up! With United Way’s “Building a Better Normal” season kicked off bright and early on Thursday, February 11 with “What’s New with 211?” We were joined by IN211 Executive Director Tara Morse and Deputy Director Jaimie Ferren to explore recent changes to IN211 and how the organization is serving the state and our community.
Recently, IN211 has undergone a transformation and is now housed within the state's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). This move to FSSA has allowed 211 to expand and strengthen the services it provides. Community navigators at 211 can help anybody with an unmet need, including a social determinates of health screening to address the barriers to this need.
IN211 community navigators assist with calls regarding a variety of issues, including providing resources for aging, childcare, domestic violence, food, substance use disorder, and COVID-19. In addition to guiding community members to local human service organizations, IN211 works in partnership with these programs to make referrals and connect Hoosiers with the right resources:
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Adult Protective Services: In partnership with Adult Protective Services (APS), IN211 provides aging-related resources.
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Be Well Indiana: A 24/7 crisis helpline where individuals can speak confidentially with a trained counselor, established in response to the increase need for mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center: Established with the primary goal of educating Hoosiers on the COVID-19 vaccine, while also assisting those eligible for the vaccine with registration and scheduling.
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Domestic Violence Outreach: In partnership with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, trained staff connect victims of domestic violence to emergency resources.
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Help Me Grow Program: A 24/7 helpline providing early childhood development resources.
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Lyft Partnership: IN211 has partnered with Lyft to help individuals experiencing substance use disorder get to and from treatment.
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MOMS Helpline: A 24/7 helpline providing infant, child, and maternal health-related resources.
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Open Beds Program: Call specialists assess the needs of individuals experiencing substance use disorder and connect them to available providers who can meet those needs.
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Peer Recovery Network: A 24/7 helpline that connects individuals experiencing substance use disorder to peer support.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach: Trained staff help individuals who qualify receive SNAP benefits.
Beginning on February 17, IN211 will be partnering with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to expand the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) in response to the increased need for rent and utility assistance.
“It’s just a really special, unique opportunity when someone calls 211,” said Morse. “It’s not just about their immediate need for the call, but sometimes its four or five things that we can connect them with that then starts to actually make a difference.”
With the wide range of services provided by IN211, Morse stressed the importance of raising awareness for this resource.
“People know when you have an emergency, call 911,” she said. “Our goal is when you need something and you’re not sure where to turn, call 211.”
If you need services, connect with IN211 by dialing 2-1-1, texting your zip code to 898-211, or visiting their website at IN211.org.
IN211 Monroe County Fast-Facts
In 2020...
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5,466 calls were answered,
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6,153 referrals were made,
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494 total unmet needs were addressed, and
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1 out of every 3 callers reported financial stress due to the pandemic.
Top 5 needs in Monroe County for 2020
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Electric service payment assistance (1,175)
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Rent payment assistance (673)
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Food assistance (358)
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Emergency shelter (298)
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Housing search information and assistance (187)
Top 5 unmet needs in Monroe County for 2020
Needs are considered unmet if there are no existing resources, the client is ineligible for existing resources, or the client declines to utilize existing resources.
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Electric service payment assistance (93)
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Rent payment assistance (50)
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Emergency shelter (39)
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Holiday gift assistance (12)
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Mental health crisis care (12)
Top 5 referrals in Monroe County for 2020
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Salvation Army (512)
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Beacon, Inc./Shalom Center (463)
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (430)
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Monroe County United Ministries (407)
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South Central Community Action Program (244)
If you’d like to engage with this topic further, watch the full event and explore the resources below.
IN211 Resources
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Dial 2-1-1
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Text your zip code to 898-211
Helpful Resources:
Join us for the next Wake Up! with United Way "Are we in an 'Eviction Tsunami?'"
Wake Up! with United Way is a collaborative project of United Way of Monroe County and IU’s Political and Civic Engagement Program. The series is made possible by the following sponsors:
Premier Series Sponsor
Bloomington Township
Presenting Sponsors
Program Sponsors