Placer County launches 211, an information and referral system; it's a resource during an emergency

Placer County launched 211 Placer on Wednesday, providing residents with a one-stop shop for resources. 211 Placer, operated by Nevada Sierra Connecting Point Public Authority, is a free information and referral system that can connect residents with health and community resources and services such as mental health support, senior care, housing assistance, transportation and more. The system is confidential and multilingual. According to Placer County District 1 Supervisor and Board Chair Bonnie Gore, the 211 system is beneficial for day-to-day needs and will be a resource for residents to turn to during an emergency, like a wildfire or flooding. The system will reduce call volume to 911 and allow quick distribution of information on aid, evacuations and shelters. "Having a resource like 211 is an invaluable resource for our community," Gore said. Unlike having to be transferred around to various organizations for resource information, individuals can now find all the information in one place online or obtain it from one phone call with a 211 operator, according to Gore. Placer was previously the largest county in California without a 211 system. Katie Combs Prichard, public information officer for Placer County Health and Human Services, said the web service Network of Care "has served as a bridge in Placer County by providing resources via a searchable database." The county was working on securing funding for the 211 system for several years, Gore said, and the COVID-19 pandemic bumped up the need to finish the system. The county received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to perform as the local service provider, which then expedited switching telecommunications carriers providing service in the county. As a result, Connecting Point was able to receive calls on May 1 and began receiving information COVID-19 calls, previously received by Placer County Health and Human Services call center specialists, on May 20. Funding partners for the system include Placer County, Placer Community Foundation, First 5 Placer and Western Placer Consolidated Transportation Services Agency. Funding will also come from the CARES Act and Mental Health Services Act. Placer residents can access 211 Placer by: Texting their zip code to 898211 (your text plan's rates will apply). Calling 2-1-1 (or 1-833-DIAL211; for TTY 1-844-521-6697). Visiting 211Placer.org to access the online searchable database and to email or chat with specialists. Gore said she encourages everyone to check out the 211 Placer system because "we all have different needs and this is a resource that can be of value to everyone in our community." 211 Placer from Placer County Video Portal on Vimeo.