Get Connected. Get Help.
211 easily connects you with information and referrals to health and human services resources in your community for every day needs or when you’re in a crisis. If you need help with:
- Bill Pay Assistance
- Disaster Services
- Education
- Personal and Household Items
- Employment and Financial Support
- Food
- Giving Help
- Transportation
- Health Care
- Housing and Utilities
- Mental Health
- Substance Abuse
211 information and referral service is simple and easy to use no matter your age or situation. Reach out… the service is free, confidential, and compassionate.
211 is available:
hours a day
days a week
days a year
Languages
Easily Connect with 211.
Area served: Charlevoix, Emmet, Manistee, Missaukee, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Wexford counties.
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211 FAQs.
How does 211 work?
The Federal Communication Commission designated 211 for community information and referral services like 9-1-1 is set aside for emergency service. 211 is a comprehensive information and referral (I&R) service that helps find resources that may be able to assist you with health and human services. 211 uses a phone-based translation service that offers over 240 languages.
How do I use 211?
The service can be accessed many ways.
- Visit call-211.org.
- Dial 2-1-1 from any phone and you’ll be connected to a trained call specialist 24/7/365. You can also dial our toll-free number, 1-877-211-5253.
- Text your zip code to 898211 to connect to a resource specialist available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Online chat service available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Email [email protected] with your request and we will respond by close of the next business day.
- Conduct your own search through our online database.
Do I have to pay to use 211?
No. 211 is free and confidential to everyone. Our staff are trained professionals and follow national standards of excellence.
What if I have an urgent problem, or am in crisis? Can 211 help me?
Yes. While our 211 staff are not counselors or therapists, they’re trained to refer crisis calls to appropriate resources such as a crisis center, or 9-1-1 rescue service in life-threatening situations. Always call 9-1-1 first in a life-threatening emergency.
How is the community resource directory maintained?
Community Access Line of the Lakeshore works daily to maintain an accurate and comprehensive database. Containing over 7,000 local services – as well as regional, state and national services – our resource specialists continually check these resources and reach out to ensure that our data is as up to date as possible. We encourage you to contact us immediately if you find any information to be inaccurate.
The database is the foundation of our 211 service. We’re accredited by the Information and Referral standards established by the National Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). AIRS is a professional association with more than 900 nonprofit and government organizations of all types and sizes that rely on AIRS for performance and quality standards, individual professional certification, and educational, networking and training opportunities. We’re also designated by the Michigan Public Service Commission as the 211 Assistance Center for Charlevoix, Emmet, Manistee, Missaukee, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Wexford counties.
How can I get my agency/organization information added to the C.A.L.L 211 community resource directory or update my current information?
There’s no charge to be included in the 211 community resource directory, but agencies and organizations must meet the C.A.L.L. 211 Inclusion/Exclusion Policy. To update your agency/organization information there are a few simple steps to follow. For additional information on either, view our Organizations and Agencies page here.
Chat Privacy Disclaimer
Community Access Line of the Lakeshore, Inc. (C.A.L.L. 211) chat service is intended to provide information about and referrals to local services and programs in Charlevoix, Emmet, Muskegon, Ottawa, Manistee, Wexford, and Missaukee counties and older adult information and assistance for Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa county residents.
Providing Your Information
During your chat session, you will be asked to provide us some demographic information such as email address, zip code and age. C.A.L.L. 211 is committed to your privacy and agrees to keep your information confidential. If you choose to share additional personal information with us, it will be used for internal purposes allowing us to better serve you. We never sell, rent or exchange any of our clients; information. Any information provided by you will be disclosed in accordance with applicable local, State and Federal laws and regulations. A transcript of your chat session between you and our referral Information and Referral Specialist is recorded and stored for quality
assurance and training purposes. You will be asked to provide your email address so that a copy of the chat session can be emailed to you for your records.
Chat Session Agreement
With any online service, there is some level of risk when communicating over the Internet. By reading and agreeing with this Privacy Disclaimer and engaging in one of our chat sessions, you give permission to C.A.L.L. 211 to provide you some assistance today and to use the information you provide to us for further reporting purposes. Furthermore, you understand that C.A.L.L. 211 will undertake all efforts to protect your information, but it is not responsible for any information that you may enter during the chat session.