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211 is the national, toll-free, three-digit phone number to call 24 hours a day for information about local health and human services. It enables people to find out about vital resources in their community quickly and easily.
Studies show that people seeking services call seven to eight numbers before finding the right one, or they give up before getting the help they need. 211 eliminates guessing and misdirected calls. It also offloads non-emergency calls to 911, allowing for faster response to real emergencies. In addition, 211 plays a major role in disaster response. For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in Connecticut, which had 211 already, 95 percent of all calls for mental health counseling, volunteering, and other services went to 211. People knew it was the number to call for help and information. Conversely in New York, which didn’t have 211, more than 400 separate numbers were set up after the attacks, leading to confusion and frustration.
We’re the agency authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission to provide 211 service in Contra Costa County. Service began in February 2006. Current funders include United Way of the Bay Area, John Muir/Mt. Diablo Community Health Fund, First 5 Contra Costa, Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
To access our database of health and human services for Contra Costa County, click here.
Guides in English and Spanish for central, eastern, and western Contra Costa County list essential services available to local residents. They can be downloaded in PDF format using Acrobat reader by clicking on the links below.
Each guide is in a two-sided format. It's recommended that they be copied on different-colored paper for easy identification. The information is drawn from our 211 database. To be placed on an email list for update notification, email 211database@crisis-center.org.
211 Web Site
To view the 211 Contra Costa web site, click here.
To view, download, and print a flyer on 211, click here.
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