Vermont 2-1-1--a free, personalized information and referral service--can help you access everything from substance use services to transportation; services for veterans to animal welfare organizations; flu clinics to tax preparation programs to parenting groups.
This United Ways of Vermont program provides accurate, up-to-date information. Highly trained, compassionate Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists are ready to help 24/7 with general inquiries about available resources, or questions about immediate needs--using a database of thousands of community and government services to identify the right solution for each caller in a non-threatening, non-judgmental, confidential manner. I&R Specialists can, when necessary, assist people who are in crisis and emergency situations, or advocate on behalf of individuals who need additional support. Besides calling, you can text your ZIP code to 898211 between 8 AM and 8 PM Monday-Friday to communicate with these same specialists.
Vermont 2-1-1 has recently updated the vermont211.org website to make searching for services easier for you to do yourself. Starting on the Vermont 2-1-1 homepage, look for a dark blue rectangle on the left side of the page that says “Click Here for Our Community Resource Directory”. You will see a place to enter your ZIP Code or city/town name. This will streamline your search to include only services offered where you live.
The Vermont 2-1-1 website now boasts sixteen icons representing the most frequently searched categories, including housing, food, fuel and other utilities, mental health services, aging and disability, veterans and military services, health and dental care, and consumer resources.
Say you wanted to search the Substance Use category. There you’d find information about:
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) / HUBs Detox /Residential / Inpatient Treatment; Outpatient Substance Use Services Needle Exchange, Medication and Sharps Disposal Substance Use Support Groups Smoking Cessation
Once you select a service term, click on the question mark next to the term to see its definition if you are unsure of its meaning. You can also search by keyword, by the name of an agency or program, or-- by clicking on the “ABC” icon--search the entire database. As a member of the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS), Vermont 2-1-1 uses the AIRS- approved Taxonomy of Human Services, a standard indexing system used by human service information and referral organizations throughout North America.
Vermont 2-1-1 does not rate, recommend, or endorse any agency or program. YOU decide what you want to do with the information you get through 2-1-1--whether you conduct a web search yourself, or speak with an I&R Specialist via phone or text. Vermont 2-1-1 does save you time, energy, and frustration. When you have problems or questions, think of 2-1-1 first!
Article written by Partners for Prevention member Nanci Gordon, VT211/Help Me Grow VT Outreach Specialist for Rutland and Bennington Counties.
Partners for Prevention is a community network dedicated to sustainable substance abuse prevention efforts for Rutland County youth and young adults. Stay connected by liking the Partners for Prevention on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partnersforprevention