2-1-1 Links Callers to Human Service Help

Barrington Area United Way and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital have partnered with The Healthier Barrington Coalition to launch 2-1-1, an easy to remember telephone number that connects the caller with free information and referrals for community services in the Barrington area.

2-1-1 is a national call system that is now available in 48 states.    Illinois and Arkansas are the last two states to enact the system.   2-1-1 systems are currently available in 13 Illinois counties, but the Barrington 2-1-1 center will be the first system to launch within the Chicago metropolitan and extended suburban areas.

2-1-1 not only provides 24-hour assistance with health and human services, but can provide a variety of additional informational services.  The call centers are also the logical platform for building emergency response communication capacity during disasters, freeing  9-1-1 operators for the life and death situations.

Barrington 2-1-1 will initially launch via landline phone and web access in April/May with cell phone accessibility to follow.  

For additional information, please contact the Barrington Area United Way office at 847-382-8778.